Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-09-13
TIL B u GLE
Congregational Friends

Ibis ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS Is truly re
formatory one. Radical, liberal & uncompro
missing in its principles, and thorough ans
fearless in iis motives. Its views Of churcl
organization may be learned from the fol
loving extract from lis Basis of nssocia
tion. ,..
The association is in correspondence
with several other similar opes in dfferen
parts of the country. Though what are
their numbers or prospects Of increase we
have no means Of knowing, evidently theiI
principles are too truthful aud their meas
pres too unpopular for any rapid increase.
No laws nor institutions of men, should
restrict this individual exercise Of con
science, Of responsibility. The only restric-
lion that can be Christian or lawful in this
momentous matter, in the terms of associa-
ton, is the admission Of the obvious pripci-
pie, that no pretext Of conscience can be
valid which violates the equal rights Of 9th
ers, or any Of the Interchangeable principles
Of moral obligation which are primary TO
conscience, and by which, in the Divine or
der, II is to be governed. 40 ia s-
Liberty of conscience, then--the reeog-
milton OF the right of every member TO act
in obedience 70 the evidence of Divine Light,
in It's present and progressive unfoldings Of
truth aud duty TO tho mind, must be fun
dameDtal principle in every right organiza-
ton. Tint this perfect liberty of conscience,
is the right Of every sane aud accountable
human being, appears from several other
considerations. Mankind partake of the
variaiy which every where murks the Crea-
tors works Though identical in the ele-
ments of their being, these elements exist in
the race in infinitely diversified proportions.
Hence their individuality, their peculiarities
of character Again they are each subject
70 influences as diversified Us their mental
and physical peculiarities-all which affect
their character, their views, their actions -
This diversity furnishes occasion for a most
profitable exercise of some of the finest feel
ings and affections of our nature--tcnder-
ness, kindness, tolerance. From the uniyer-
sality Of tho facts in the cOse, the practice Of
these virtues is obligatory on oil, and no in
stitution can be Christian--can exemplily
love TO God and man-(the substance Of
Christianity |--that is deficient in these vir-
tues. Christianity" says an enlightened
writer, "respecis this diversity in mem
aiming not TO undo but further Gods will |;
not fashioning all men after one paierp--to
think alike, act alike, be alike even look
alike. II is something far other than Chris
tianiiy which demands that, A Christian
church then should put no fetiers on the
man: j; should have unity Of purpose, but
with the most entire freedom for the indvid-
ual.. When you sacrifice the man to the
mass in church or stnte--church or stnte be-
comes an offence, stumbling block in the
way Of progress, and must end or mend.-
The greater tho variety Of individualities in
church or state, the better is it-so long as
all are really manly, humane and nccordani.
A church must needs be partial, not catholic,
where all men think alike--narrow and lit
sle." II has been the want Of this broad
and Christian ground of federation that has
been the bane Of every church, Catholic and
Protestant. In proportion to its absence,
despotic and oppressive measures have mar
red the harmony aud painfully defeated the
objects OF religious society. -a.a.r =,
Two evils, at least, if not wholly exclud-
ed, would find but scanty soil to grow in.
Tyranny and iSeciarianism. And these will
be the more effectually prevented by the
recognition of the great principle, already
adverted TO, of perfect liberty Of conscience
(which in our view, forbids the establish
ing Of any thing ms barrier to religious fel-
iowship, either as regards individuals, or the
inter-communicaiion of congregations, hut
ihe violation Of the great interchangeable prin-
ciples Of morals, revealed al facts of com
seriousness, to the universal human mind
Reverence Of God, Justice, Mercy, Be-
nevolence, Veracity, Chastity, &c. In other
words, nothing but what is plainly incon-
patibie with love TO God, mud love to man
leaving each TO tho testi " by their fruits ye
shall know thcm,' independently of abstract
opinions. Thus a. brother or sister might
hold the doctrine OF the Trinity, or Of
vicar,ons ACKNOWLEDGEMENT practice Wa,
Ter Baptism, the ceremony Of Brend and
Wine, and kindred rituals, or he might be-
iieve none OF these, and his right should be
recognized to preach bis conscientious coD-
victIons OF these matters in any of our
in either case, conceding
The right OF every other brother and sister,
who fnaV deem fIlat err0r. baa bepn i,ro,unl.