Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-12-06
T II E B u G l. Il =.
Letter from Z. Warner.
CORRECTION.


FRrEND RoniSsoS; There is one point in
Parker Pillsbury's letter, published in The
Bugle Of the 9th instant which perhaps,
should be corrected In spenking of Rev.
u. I. Chamberlain's story about baptizing
dogs, Mr.. PIlsbury says, he (NIr. C) chad
just warned his charge to beware of us, be-
cause Stephen s. Foster, who, hc said, was
once sound, orthodox diuiue, had left the
pulpit, and gathered, baptized, and given the
sacrament TO church of cats and dogs
We were not told from what text this most
veracious sermon, on so sublime topic,
was preached, or whether any conversions
followed"
Upon inquiry I cannot learn that Mr..
Chamberlain related any such story in SER
mon, or from the pulpit. 1t was at a pray
er meeting, held in private house in Cher
ry Valley, where Int few of "his charge"
were present to hear him, that he told sim
liar story. Ills statement was that he had it
" from credible authority that STEPHEN s. Fos-
TER, once u minister of good standing in our
1.-THE Congregational denomination, had re-
Gently taken cats aud dogs into the Church,
and gone through with the mock ceremony
propounding to them sundry questions,
and then bapIizing them in the name of the
Holy Trinity" This version of the story, |
gave to J. w. Walker few moments before
the opening Of the evening meeting in An
dover OH the 2Sth October. From whom
MIR. Pillsbury got his version of the matter is
more than know.
1t will bc seen, however, that the facts in
the case do not place Mr.. Chamberlain in a
light more favorable than does the state
ment made 10y Mr.. Pillsbury. The principle
involved, and the main features of the story,
nre substantially the same. Mr.. c. was only
quietly circulating the stale slandcr about
baptizing dogs; aud for some purpose, best
known to himself, used the name of Foster
instend of Pilsbury. Aud the probability is
that very many, who attend his preaching,
lIave never heard Of his relating the Dog
Story" in the prayer meeting; aud seeing
or hearing of the statement in The Buge, in
the form it has gone forth, they may claim
that il has no foundation in fact, and that MIR.
Chamberlain has been Intentionally misro-
presented. Hence the necessity, MS | think,
of this correction. For one, will give pro-
slavery priests aud churches no chance to
prop up wicked and sinking cause. They
may catch at the occasional errors unintcu-
iionaly committed by the friends OF Lumani-
ty; but those errors, when once ascertained
and corrected, shall avail them nothing.
One other matter. In speaking of the dis
cusson at Andover, with David l.. Rice, the
Free Will Baptist Minister Of Cherry Valley
Mr.. Pilisbury says, "he conducted himself
throughout in a manly manner" lpresun,c
majority of the meeting would agree will
Mr.. Pillsbnry in this statement. And thai
majority, including some of Mr. Walkers
best friends in this place, would also agrcC
that he treated Elder Rice in n very rude nnd
unbeconing manner. " Our meetings arc
free" it was said; and the opponents of Dis
union were urged 10 state their objections
Mr.. Rice raised an objection honestly enough
as we are bound TO believe. Mr.. Pillsbury
who had the floor, was answering that oh
lection, md showing its complete absurdity
when Mr.. Walker interGercd, taking the con
troversy out of allie hands, where it orrigh
belonged aud applying to his antagonist the
epiihe,s "hypocriiical priest" "liar," and 9th
er like expressions, and telling him he had
sunk lower in the depths of deprnvily, thar
any priest lie had met for five years. "Why,'
said he, "if you keep on, shall be bellev
er in the doctrine of total depravily. Ate
what we have witnessed from you, don
know but we shall have to admit the doc
trine true" PerhapsI have not given, il
this last sentance, precisely the words use'
by friend Walker, but know have give
the idea.
Now, how must this have sounded to thos
who were present, aud who think with MI
Pillsbury, that Elder Rice "conducted him
selfthroughout in manly manner" To on