Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-02-07
T II E B i G L E
The Biblc...IlOw lis Authority came TO be
Questioned on the Anli.Slavery Platform.
TEcUNsEn, Mich, Jan. %, 1852.
To Mr.. Mrs. Wilson,
CndiZ, Ohio.

7
Cadiz, Ohio.
Dean FnIENDs: Two letters ljtely have np-
peared from you, in The Bugle; in which
YOU express dissatisfaction that the Inspra-
ton of the Bible should he questioned in
that paper, and on the Anti-Savcry plat
form. You find fault with nbolitonists for
starting, and for carrying Oh ihis discussion.
Permit me to say, that your ccnsnrcs are not
bestowed on the right party. Who first in
troduccd the discussion, regarding the au-
,hori,y of the BilIleI Who have kept it up?
Not nbolitonists; they never introduced it !;
nor have they kept it up. The iollowiugs is a
brief, but true history of tie origin aud pro-
gress of this debate, SO far us Ant-Slayery is
concerned.
Abolhionists at the first, based their cause
OIL the Sticeuidem truth, that all men are crea-
ted free. Ofcourse, they regarded slavery
as II SCI lEeuident wrong; II wrong that admits
of no discussion as to its mate sinfulness II
wrong that no power in the universe can
make right for Que hour. The entire church
and clergy ofthe nation presented the Bible
as supporter of slavery. They said, the
Bible is true-every word of il is of God, aud
our only nfhllnble rule by which TO decide
the right or wrong of this, aud of all qnes-
lions. The Bible decides in favor of slave
ry; therefore, slavery must be right. This
argument in support of slavery, ahollionists
were hound to meet, aud answer, if they
could; and if not, give up their enterprise.
Holo 10 meet il? was the question.
Some undertook to argue the right or
wrong of slavery from the Bible. This was
what the pro-slavery church wanted. They
wished to have the question of human free
dom; whether n man be a man or beast,
depend OH the Interpretation OF text. Many
pamphlets and books were published by
Anti.SIavery Societies 10 prove that the BIZ
bic did not sanction slavery. Much was
written ty slavoites to prove that it did. But
some nbolitIonisls refused TO submit the de-
cision of the question oilibery TO the Bible.
They said slavery is a Seleepiient wrong, and
if the Bible says it is right, the Bible, in
stead of proving it to be so, proves itself to
be a selceuideni .Ca'seaooa. They had settled
lhat slavery is a wrong, that nothing could
make right; aud they refused to submit the
question to tribunal whose decision they
had previously determined 10 reject if it was
against them. Thus the advocates of slave.
ry thrust the Bible upon the Anti-Slavery
platform for discussion; and when they
found we would not admit its authority to
establish this great wrong, they said we were
infdcs.
Dear friends, you well know that the In
spiraton of the Bible has been the strong
hold of slavery. In that doctrine, slavehold
ers aud their allies have ever found theil
s.!..rcrort, See the pamphlet of Moses Stuart
written two years ngn-to show that Iht
Bible sanctions slavery and the Fugitive
Law. To this honr, the great mass OF TN
priests aud professors affirm that SLAYER!
,.nlist be right because the Bible sanctions il
Would you believe slavery right, if the Bibl
says il is? But you say, we cannot admi
the snpposiIion. 1t is not suppositon. ]
is fact. The Bible, as il is received by III
Church and CergB what this nation calls III,
Bible, sanctions slavery. That Bible we re
ject. So do you. You seek TO introduce
another Bible. The moment the slayeocrat
cease to array the Bible in favor of slavery
that moment all opposition to it, on the Anti
slavery platform will cease. But while tia
Book is made the great pillar of support
this sum Of all uiiainy;" its inspiration an
authority will ever be n proper subject {
discussion in Anti-Savery papers and NEE
iugs. l can give but one answer; If III
Bible says slavery is right, the Bible is sci
evident falsehood, and will ere long be &
regarded by every honest person.
II is a matter of total Indifference what Ill
Bible says about savery--so far as lis rig
Ortrong is iseoncerned. Its testimony can e
feet nothing either way. Slavery is N