Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-06-26
Dissatisfied.
oppose.

Dissatisfied.
Not only did many of the churches and min
listers in this region stay away from the recent
Ravcnna Convention, but some of those who
attended seem quite dissatisfied with its results
Rcy. J. A. Thome in the True Democrat has
given utte-ancc to this dissatisfaction. lie
complains for himself, that lac was treated with
ungcntcmanly personality lie says a." offered
some remarks before the Convention in support
of a resolution reported by the majority of the
Committee, and the purport of which was that
secession from ecclesiastical bodies implicated
in the sin of slavery, must be a question of time,
and that faithful protesting against the sin OF
tho body is one legitimate mode Of anti-slavcry
action, 81 long as there is hope OF reforming
the church, was responded to by a charge Of
having become contaminated by pastoral contact
with a pro slavery church, and with having
applied to pro-slavery ministers to lay the corner
stone of his church, and by more Of such pcrsoal
abuse continued long enough to c ,nvince por-
ton of the convention that tho arguments to
which it was the reply, were triuuphanty re-
futcd. Yet the positions, the advocacy of which
called down such a shower of personalities, are
held by tho great mass of christian ant-savcry
men and ministers in Northern Ohio, many Of
: whose names have been the watchward of lib
crty, in tho struggles Of the last eighteen years"
/ Mr.. Thomc VIC know to be most gontlcmanly
and dccorous in all his department, and yet ii
he docs not exercise toward others what he
deems in his own case, abusive personality he
IS certainly a very singular orthodox minister.
Do his ideas of gcutlcmanly department for
bid him to rchuko sin or point out the olIenderi
The Obcriin Diyincs have been somewhat fa-
nous Tor this kind Of personality, and for it we
have been disposed to commend them. But
there il, probably, material difference between
tho administration and reception Of rcbukc
Many of these men arc willing 10 attend ANTI
Slavery Christian Conventions to dcaouncc
southern Sinners but to be met with rcbukc for
their own particpancy in the sin, is not what
they desire.
We may DO charged with ungcntlcmonly per-
sonality, bnt it seems to us that J. a. Thomc
now requires much moro time to consider and
decide so very plain q case, as the one before
him, than he would have asked in 1885. He
has now, evidently, no idea of separating him
self from " the great mass of christian anti
slavery mon ard ministers" "who think that
secession from ecclesiastical bodies implicated
in the sin Of slavery is q oors Of time" These
reverend sinners demand for themselves, what
they will not conscdo to ordinary mortals who
offend. OF such, they ask instant repentance
and the forsaking of sins and sinners, By all tho
tormcLts of hell, which they tell them momcn-
tari!y wal, upon their steps. But for themselves,
It is work Of time. Meet them with dccla-
ration Of their own guilt in fcllowshiping slave
holders, and they tell us they prefer "sc,,ling
principles" They want light-thcy cali for
dciberation. And thus crying for light, they
grope on in darkness, even in the blazing sun
light of truth, and thus blind guides as :hcy
arc, they lead the people onward in the dark
ness Of slavery.
Mr. Thome seems TO have forgotten the an
changcablo principle that he who would scc,
must oct. That he can no more see without
action, ,han act without sight "lC any man
will do my win. he shall know of the doctrine"
These men will never see, for they ncger mean
to do. II would cost TOO much-woud be a
forfeiture Of their cast and position. They
cannot thus throw away their influence.
Mr.. Thome thinks that large portion of the
anti.slavcry christians of Northern Ohio will
refuse 20 attend future conventions "uulcss tho
character Of the conventions shall be materially
changed" Doubtless they will. Nobody cx-
, pectcd they would continue their cooperation
r with any earnest effort against slavery. They
, could demand "christian' conventions while
they supposed they would be sham, and would
give some coloriug to their anti. slavery profcs.
sions. But put into them any of that earnest,
, practical christianity which Jesus taught which
visits the fathercss and widow in their aillcton,
= and they in their turn become scecders. Aud with
very little reelection few prayers for light, have
: no difficulty in sccecding from these widows and
their fathcrlcss and fugitive children, and max
= ing themselves the friends and brethren of the
: opprcesors.
! But let no one DO disheartenod because they
go to their own place. The little handful, who,
like Gdcon's three hundred, lap the waters of
4 truth, may conquer the enemy. But the men
4 aud ministers, who with false hcartedness arc
calling for light, while the slave in his agony is
y calling for dellyerance, will afford no aid. They
:, arc only an incumbrance.
Q Temperance Meeting in Salem.