Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-01-17
EXECUTIVE Committee meets February Isl
Christian Anli-SlaVery Convention.

A Call has beer issued for Christian Anti
Slavery Convention, to be held at Painsvillc, on
the 2Sth and 29th Of the present month. Tho
object proposed by the call, is. 40 free the
church from its connoxion with the sin OF
Slavery" The call is signed by nearly one
hundred persons. 1t says: ut is admitted that
no power without the church, could sustain
slavery, lifts sanction were not found within
her palo." II. therefore. calls upon all Christ
ians to unto for its overthrow.
This public acknowledgement Of their res
possibility by churches and ministers as strong
ly indicates revolution in public sentiment. as
anything else to which VIC can refor. Aboli-
tionists from the outset have charged upon the
church the guilt of the continuance of slavery.
Public sentiment will have established its ON
impotence, when it shall have extortcd this con-
fession from the mass ofthe clergy. 1t will be
like proclamation of falibility from the Pope.
But the mass of them have no intention Of ma
king this confession; it is only made by here
and there conscientious one among them, or
by such as have churches with conscienccs, and
whose public sentiment compells the acknowl-
edgcmcnt. The controlling influence, and tho
overwhelming majority of the ministers and
churches is to-day, as strongly on the side of
slavery as i, was fifteen years ago, when James
q. Birncy declared the "Churchcs the bu!-
wark of Slavery" Those in tho churches who
aresruggling against the system are a dcspised,
hated, and so far as possible crushed minority.
Their brethren in the church and ministry,
bear false witness as unscrupulously against
them, as against Garrison or Pillsbury, Abby
Foster, or any other oftho stalwort champions
offrcedom. They close their meeting houses
against the one, with quite as little ceremony
as against the other And VIC can assure tho
Anti Slavery Church members, they have much
more TO hope on the score of fraternal co-opera
ton from the infidels, then from their brethren
whose fellowship they SO perseveringly seek.
Mr.. Aiken of Cleveland, has brought the in
ilucnce of authority, SO potent among church
men, to bear upon the question, by publishing
weak and jesuitical letter from Rev. Albcr
Barnes, against any Anti Slavery scism in tn
New School Presbyterian Church. Mr.. Barne
says, that maintaining fellowship with the piou
trafIekcrs in human souls, is the best of all abo
lition instrumentalities. And Mr.. Barnes lctte
weak us it is-und foisted upon the churches
simply for the sake of its authority, will silenc
! the whisperings of conscience in multitude o
church members. "ls not Mr.. Barnes one of ou
most pious Rabbies; Have not his labors becl
blessed in rcvivalsi Is he not an approved mes
senger Of God; Has hc not evinced his theolo
gy and picty by writing commentary upol
portions of the New Testament, and thus aidinI
oven inspiration ITSELF and making up for its lacl
of clearness and comprehensibility And sure
ly we may safely follow his advice, and sticl
by the Church, which even If II be as the inf
dels affirm, the hope of the STAKEHOLDER, is ais
the hope OF the world r. Catholic Popcs are no
the only ones who control their followers with
out truth and in spite of reason.
We hope our Painsville friends will success
in separating Themselves from slavery, if the
even have to leave the church behind.