Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-08-09
1856
Christian Convention.
From the Obcrlin Eyanrclist.

Professor flnneysaid " II Is important TIM
we should understand how we appear tc
other notions'with reference TO our American
slavery. You who have read the reports O
the late religious Anniversaries in London
must have noticed how greatly Christians
there nrc grievcd and surprised to find so
much prO-slavery feeling among our minis
tiers aud churches. Especially are they ns-
founded to hear that many after having
made the larest AuiiSlavery professions on
their shores, in public addresses aud other
wise, have apostatized to downright pro-sla-
very positions, after their return home. Not
few men of high standing in the American
churches, have taken noble Anti.slavery
GROUND in Britain, but returning home, have
descended into apologies for slavery which
astonish and grieve our British friends
These men, If they were to revisit England,
could not again be admitted to their pulpts,
and scarcely TO their private hospia,ies.
In some instances this rccreancy to lust anti
slavery principles has enkinded deep feel
ing of mingled sorrow and indignation. II
is well that all classes in this country-not
excepting those especially concerned should
be aware of these facts.
AS might be expected, British opinions
and feelings us 10 American Slavery are va
rious. The royalsfs would bc glad to hive
our republican government explode, and they
do not care how soon our slavery shall des-
troy IL. But the masses of British people
have not the least sympathy with this feeling.
The sentiment of the masses is well express
sed by the remark made to me by gentle
man of much intelligence: Your rcpub-
can government is the greatest event since
the Christian era-the greatest, next to the
art Of printing, If even il is second to that in
its magnitude of interests towards human
Iots Il. 4 4 4
the hopes of the race by suffering il To pros
trate your republican government and your
free Institutions
" II is notorious fact that the govern
mcnts of Europe nrc making use of our sla-
very to repel all action and movement among
thelr own subjects in regard TO free insiitu-
lions. Hence our position before the world
becomes one OF momentous interest.
Our British friends, was pleased to sec,
are disposed TO be thoroughly candid in their
Judgments Of us, and wish to understand
all the difficulties which cmbnrrass the sla-
very question. | admired their iorbearance
IN that they did not seem at all disposed TO
advance upon us and denounce us without
examination. Yet they thoroughly hate sla-
very aud feel they have right to condemn
It as most inhnman iniquitous, unchristian
system. Their feeling against it is daily be-
sohlbb ulOlO luNtuSt. ~ IllGN kItW oil tllIS |
Convention, they would feel deep interest
in its spirit, its object and lis movements,
and would he in prayer for us nt this mo |
inent. was surprised to find how much |
more deeply they feel on the subject of sa-
very thnn most Christians do here. They |
take broader views of its bearings than we |
arc wont to do"
President Muhan sad
"The impression had been made in Great
Britain that the Anti-Slavery movement i'm
this country was mainly infidcl, with Garri-
son at its head. was questioned in Glas-
gov on this point. So long ms this impress
sion prevailed, they naturally accounted for
the tardiness of Christians in cspousing and
promoting this reform by reference TO the
general character of the movement as in the
hands of infideis. Now they are coming to
understand that Anti-Slavery principles are
taking deep hold of all evangelical reiorma-
tory churches, and of course now they begin
to ask in earnest-What have you done in
your country to abolish slavery? Especial
ly do they put this question TO all their
Transatlantic visitors 1t is not enough, say |
they, that you come here and make good |
Anti-Slavery speeches; what have you done |
in the tug of war at home?
"This meeting will be deemed in England |
one of vast importance TO the cause of hu.
man well-being. So we must regard it our
selves. II is time of crisis. There was
crisis in the lifetime of our Lord, when ma
NY turned back and walked with Him 10
,nore, and when He said to the twelve
Will ye also 60 away" Such n time has
fallen on tho Anti-Slavory cause, and every
man must define his position. If we forbcar
40 spenk for the dumb, and rise up for the
-,
a voice through which God will speak and
he heard"
Prof Finney endorsed and expanded the
foregoing remarks upon American Anti-slave-
ry, as being under infidel auspices; and said,
"The lndies OF Glasgow told me they had
felt constrained 10 withdraw fellowship from
'he American infdel abolitionism. For this |
reason, said PROT +. | want all men TO know
1hat this is a Christian .4nii-.Sidrely C0nren- |
tion- When British Christians heard how |
generally their American brethren stood !
nloof from the Anti-Slavery movement, they |
0scribed the fact 10 its infde character - |
now LET them know that Christian men are |
convening together to inquire what they shall !
do as ChriStidns, TO rescue the church from |
all sustaining connection with Slavery -
may more, how the church and all her beyo-
lent organizations can be made efficient CO. |
workers IN overthrowing this system, the |
vlest tie sun ever saw"
EVENING sEssIoN.-sPEEcH OF JUDGE STE
VEINS.
lion. S. II. Stevens of Madison, Iowa, oc-
cupied the desk for the evening ;-subject,
PrO-siaUery Influence Of Political Men upon
the Ministry and The Churches. Ilo said-
- This is one of the great causes which have
exerted an overuling influence in sustaining
slavery. If the twenty five thousand church
Vs Ia our country were TO como fully out
from uader the pro-slavory influence of po-
iIical men, slavery could not stand five
years, aD,l Calhoun in private, admitted This