Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-09-20
Emancipation In the West lndieS

The following is from the Christian Watch
man. When shall we celebrate the funeral
obscquies ot.lmcrican slareryl Precisely when
the Christian Watchmcn of this land shall
sound the nlerm, aud by their declaration
Of truth unite their pnweEs for its dcstruc-
tion. Now they 6ud ii much more Agreeable
good fight, that preceded Wert India enIan-
cilniion, tl,an to do hattie with slavery as u
is rih us today. Lineal descendants are
they oi,hose vino built the toubs OF tie dead
prophets, but stoned aud crucitied the living.
Tie walls of "our American Ziou," whose
praises nee weekly sung ia our thousands Of
temples, are the hulwarks Of slavery. The
church mem,eIs whom tlIeir walls enclose,
are hid behind them iiom the shafts of truth.
Aud the eyes Of tie traitors on tie watch
towers are turned not towards unrighieous
aud tyrant men, but with fear and jealousy
ever towards the faithful advocates OF hu-
nan liberty.
When the churches, now the enemies of
truth, shall surrender their strong hold,
und enlist on the side of freedom, then we
will sing the dirge of slavery re--hury
deep all its accursed insignia of whips aud
chans--tlIen shall peal forth the Joyous an
tlIcms Of the ifee-Glory to God in the
highest-peace on earh-good will to lneu.
Ray Mr. OnUltfn,t Enuli-l. n,
sIonary to JOmalca during the fast sIXtecn
years, is now on tour of the States, aud
has been few days past in this city. Sab
hath before last, he preached in the First
Baptist church, Rev. Dr. NeaIe's; aud in the
evening gave an account OF the deeply iii-
ieresting scenes which occurred in JaH.aira,
at lie time Of the fiual emancipation OF the
slaves on that island, in le:i8. Ia the course
of his remarks lie described the entire fail
ure of the apprenticeship system, sud the
desire Of the Colonial Legislature. connisiing
OF the shareholders themselves, that il might
come To an end. Mr.. o. was present at une
of the famous midnight prayer meetings OF
the piOus slaves, held TO usher in, in \ most
appropriate manner, the ever memorable
FIRST Of August. The time At this meeting
WIS principally spent in remarks aud audi
bic prayer 10y the pastor, until ten minutes
before twelve O'cl0ck, when all prostraied
themselves OH their knees in silent devotion,
supplicatioh aud gratitude, to their Almighty
Deliverer. When the clock struck twelve, the
congregation, C cousisiing Of several thousands,
aruss aud broke forth spontaneously in sing
ing-"Praiso God, from whom all blessings
fOw," Sc. The next evening another pray
er and conference meeting was hej :, near
tie close OF which, somewhat TO the surprise
Of the pastor, large, black, gloomy looking
coffin was brought into the meetng-hOl
aud placed Oh bier IN front of the pulpit
On the top of the coffin WAS engraved
"SLAvERY DIED FIRST OF AUGUsT, 1888"
They then cast into the coffin the various
insignia aud sccompaninents Of slavery.
One threw in pair Of handcufis another
set of shackles, another cham, fourth the
lash of n whip cut into number Of pieces,
followed by the handle Of the same, which
strong nnan, over his knee, cracked into
syers; then by torch-light the coffin was
carried, with mock solemnity, TO one Of the
most dismal spots in the neighbOrhood, and
there buried in deep grave, after which, in
the open air, and in the midst of dense
forest, the congregation united again in sing
ing the Doxology in long metre, "Praise
God" &c.
Mr.. o. stated that the next day an Incl
dent occurred equally expressive Of the joy,
gratitude aud domestic happiness which lib
erly had brought to the slaves. Thirty cou-
ples, attended by twice the number OF
groomsmen and bridesmaids, appeared on
tue grass plot in front of his house, the
church not being large enough to accommo.-
date them, to be united in holy wedlock. A
more joyous wedding never occurred.