Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-01-24
SALEM, ONO, JANUARY "a, 1852.
Duty of the Church 10 the EnSlaved.

Rev. Mr.. KExYox of Kirkland, preached an
excellent sermon on this topic in the Second
Baptist Church in Salem, on Sunday last.
In substance he said, the gospel proclaimed
all mon brethren-its preccpts were good will
to all. This spirit of good will had been mani
tested in all ages. During the darkest periods
of time, its faint shadowings have been recog-
nizcd. Men in all ages had raised the infidol
question, cam my brothers keeper, and
in all ages the responsive inquiry had robukcd
him-"wherc is thy brother"
Dcspotism destroys so far as practicable, in
dividual responsibility. 1t should be the bus-
ness of the church to cultivate and enforce it,
The church organization creates new response
bilitics and should stand as the guard of free
dom. The principles on which it is founded
good will to mnn-dcmand it. Wherever NOR
al principle is involved-cithcr in social regu-
la:ons, or legislative cnactmonts-it is the busi-
ness Of the church to intorfcrc-shc is from her
professions and positions the corrccior Of NOR
ais. Let her exert her influence and bring the
public conscience once under tho control of
moral principlc-and legislation will conform
to it.
The church by her public sentiment now docs
much to sustain slavery. She docs it by tho
allegation that God and the Bible sanction sla-
very. 1t is falsc.-The theology of Drs of Di-
vinity may sanction it, but that only proves that
their theology is false and needs corrcction.-
Tho mass Of church members sanction it by i'm
plicitly receiving these false teachings of their
eminent leaders without investigation. They
sanction it by the fellowship of SHAREHOLDERS.
Would they recognise the christianity of those
who should steal and sell their oea children
If not, why should they recognize the chrstiani-
ty of those who steal and sell the children of
their ncighbors; Slavery is sustained by tho
church by its fellowship of the apologists of
slave holders and Of slavc-holding fellowship. If
they would condcm the murderer or the thief
should they not also the man who coldly odvo-
Gated theft and murder Is not such a man
thief and a murderer in principle and heart if
not in fact. Slavery is sustained by the church
in its cooperation with shareholders in Bible,
Missionary and Tract organizations.
The responsibilities of the church arc in the
ratio of her intelligence, and her power to inilu-
cncc the decision of the question. Multitudcs
of church members arc unwilling to investigate
and unwilling to act. They cast aside anti
slavery publications while they eagerly read
and sustain those of the most pro-slavcry char
J do iy,t l,ptr
views Of theology. They meet us with the
inquiry, how arc acc affected by it; We might
answer, we sec it every where in the church.
The pulpit and the prayer meeting are alike un-
der its control But how will it aifec; as, is not
the question for christians to ask exclusively.
They profess worldwide philanthropy and far
moro appropriately with the spirit Of their mas
ter and of their own profession, might they
ask how docs it affect others. Charity scekcth
not her own. The church is required to act,
because others arc indifferent and idle
Such Is a skeleton of the thoughts Of The
speaker, not clothed in his longuagc,but as they
impressed themselves upon our mind at tho
time of their uttcrancc; and without the clear
illustrations and earnest appeal with which they
they were accompanied. The addresses of Mr..
Kenyon to which we have listened gave indica-
ton of an earnest. hearted friend Of humanity.
A profcssed minister of religion he magnifcs
his Office, by making it subscrvient to the inter-
csts Of humanity. In this he differs from the
multitude of the priesthood who Systematically
and habitually sacrifice men to the ministry.