Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-29
BloOmcrlsm In the Chursh.

inst. noticed the following query: eau
The Bugle and Homestead answer for the
correctness of the report that the First Bap-
tist Church of this place, (mcaning Salenl,)
has within few days excommuncated three
Of its members, perfectly exemplary women,
two for wearing boomer dresses, and the
other for wearing bloomer dress aud at
tending an Abbey Kelly meeting? Now
with reference to the truth of this allegation,
can state with perfect assurance that the
First Baptist Church of Salem, has recently
expelled from membership two women, at
least, for no other crime than that of listen
ing to the Gospel of Ami-Siavery righteous.
ness, and being arrayed IN such temporal
hubilnents, as convenience aud comfort hap
pen TO require. As to the other person said
TO have been cxcommunicaied, / cannot
speak unequiyocally, but believe this part Of
the report to he true also.
Whether these ex.menbers Of this so call
ed church of Christ, arc perfectly exempla-
ry in their demeanor, ns alledgcd, it is irre-
evant in this place TO enquire. BE that MS il
may, the First Baptist Church does not nsk
MS condition of membership the possession
of n single attribute, that can adorn, dignity,
or bless mankind. An empty faith, an ostcn-
taiion Of pieiy, aud Gudliness, together with
a hypocrilcal profession of love of God and
nan, and an affected ablorrencc of iufidcl-
", constitute the essential part of her reli
gion. IL more ,hnn this is necessary, il is of
character but slightly superior, aud that in
minimum quantity.
Il is not from any motive Of local interest
that give special notice to this incident, nor
because J wish TO be partial in reprooc The
net is only one of multitude of similar ones,
and the spirit that perpetrated il, is but
sample of modern pro-slavery Christianity.
II to he member of the Church us il is,
were really to he in possession of the means
of eternal salvation, aud if to be excluded
from such an organization were an exclu-
sion from virtue and truth, aud consequent
enjoyment, then 10 he expelled would he a
souICe VI soIIoW uHo IcBi'l' but Nc iho's
are widely different. Nay, it is absolutely
certain that removal from the Church is u
removal Just so far toward Heaven and en-
joynlent. For to be ont of the Church cor
porenlly is to escape prescription for truths
sake, and spiritually, is TO discountenancc an
organization the legitimate aim, aud the
practical influence of which is, an annililn-
ton ofthc God.like simiIitude of humanity,
und the substitution of hatred and n philan-
ihropy the blackest thut ever rankled in the
human soul.
Jfthc conduct aud character of this Church
had been such, that it would bc necessary
and legitimate lin order TO retain its mem
hers or exclude them from its ranks,) to as
certain whether the poor unielt for slave re-
ceived their sympathy, and ai'l in other ways
tl,an sacrilegiously aud inpiously praying TO
Jehovah, aud asking him TO grant freedom
to the iettercd bondmali, while they them
selves nrc the sole barriers that lie between
the slave and hIs liberty; or whether the cries
and groans of the crushed and despised ones
of earth, find no way TO their hearts; hu-
manity could endorse il, and God could
smile proptously upon its hulowed beauty.
But o, iniquity, where arc thy bounds! o,
consistency thou art n jewel! o, reason
thou art treasure! Religion is now made
to consist in part of some speciality of extcr,
nal pngeantry. The body must be dressed
in rich brocadc aud shining tassels, after the
fashions of the past, sanctioned by lhe taste
and delicacy of the refinement, of the very
refined devolees of delicate aud fashonabl,
Society, while the soul must be clad will
the drapery of He'll.
Who can tell why it is that the modcrl
Church munilests more zeal in opposition II
the late style ofdress, the Bloomer Costume
filed religion? Rather let me ask, who cun
not plninly sec that its hatred of tho unbe
coming costume, as it is sometimes religious
ly eauied, is only another demonstration o
ennIiiy 10 the Anti-Slavery cause. Bigotr
always blinds its victims, aud the Church il
paTi attributes the origin of the new Coslum
to up invention of Abbey Kelyism, there
fore, il is not to he wondered nt after all tia
it should, on account of its novelty and i'm
propriety, create more commotion in thee
logy, Than would be seen if monkey wer
to enter the pulpit for the purpose of descaul
ing upon human destiny.
Yours in opposition to
? MnIae.