Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-01-18
Form Of Prayer for u Man in a Tight Place.

We are not personally in favor of Forms
of Prayer Yet there are persons who GER
tniuly profit by them. For such, they are
helps not to he dcspiscd. There nre occu-
sions and topics, too, when conscientious
men, even those who are fluent in eXtcmpo-
raneons prayer, find their ui,erance impedcd:
and il upon such occasions and topics some
short form of prayer could he used, it would
be for edifcaiion.
For example, there are many good men IN
the Union Safety Committee who would feel
prayerlul after running down itgitivcS aud
who would he much confused in returning
thanks to God. The pious remnrks oi our
Secretary OF State at the New England diu-
ncr lead us to hope that he makes the re-
turn of iuglives II subject of prayer.
The excellent Divines, who have recently
exerted every energy to prove TO tie Chris
tim community that the magistrate is higher
than Consritnce; that it is the duty of every
Christian citizen To obey the law ;--huut,
catch, hold and return the black Christian
brother, fleeing for his lile, to the grip of his
master, these eXcellem men, of c",rsc,
would not do or have others do, what they
could not pray over.
Now we have considered their pers,in-
sions. We can perceive how innocent aud
well meaning men might think il their duty
to return Fugitive. But there is one thing
that is more than a match for our imueira-
tion--lt is the kind Of prayer which con-
scienions man would put up at night, after
aiding, during the day, in sending Christian
woman back TO her lustlul master, or n girl
back 10 the shambles, where her beauty
would give her ready sale and high price.
Would he pray at all? Would hc he troub-
led with wandering thoughts about this
point Of prayer? Would he dodge the ques-
ton, in congressional style, aud forget his
prayers for day or two?
Now, we have tist been reading a SER
mon, entitled "A Bundle of Myrrh," by
Rev. Leonard Wilmington, of Newhuryporr,
MusS., and very savOry fragrance cXllnlcs
from il. On the cover tliis sagaciolis man
has set forth form Of prayer, which, though
not yet canOnical, might lie made 20, il the
Union Committee would but express their
opinion that il meets lie case.
A FORM OF PRAYER for such Christians MS
mean to aid in carrying into execution the
Fugitive Slave Law, 10y Rev. Leonard
Wilmington of Newbury.
o Lord God of mercy and compassion,
who nearest the signing of the prisoner, aud
loosest the bonds of such MS are appointed
TO die; who hast, in thy Gospel, tnken cap
tivily captive aud opened the gates Of free
dom TO all mankind,- um linble this day TO
he called TO II disagreeable duty. ] am liza
BILE 10 he called on TO assist in restoring a
miserable fugitive 10 his bondage, his toll and
his chain; o, assist me 10 perform this
dreadful task Blind my eyes to all the evils
of his state; may | disregard his siSls, his
tears, and all his supplicalions; may be en-
allied to do to him what ] should wish no
other being in the Universe to do 10 me may
! assist in plunging him hack to all the evils
which lle lms endenvored TO escape. May
| be enabled To lhiis lhat ihis is my duty; and
wilt thou reward me Tor doing this duty il
keeping me nnd my family from all injustice
nud oppression; aud crown our good deed'
| IN promoting slavery with everlasting tree
dom IN Thy kingdom above: and wilt thol
| grant illis for Jesus ChriSl's snke, who re-
deemed, by lis precious blood, white mel
into freedom, and negroes into perpelua
hondnge.-Amen.
Olher forms might he added to make ou
n hook. Could not some of the excellcu
divines who have recently figured before the
! public in ailestation of their adherence fol
"Politcs in the Pulpit" set forth nppropri
ate forms OF prayer for all lle eXigeucies
| One is now much wanted "to he used on
occasion of sending the wrong man intC
sluvcry."-llENRY WARD BEEcnER.-.M Y
independent