Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-12-11
Bible Convention.

We published last week a brief account of
the proceedings Of this convention, furnished
by the secretaries. Neither that account nor
any We can write, will give any adequate idea
OF its proceedings. The meetings, wcro in
tcuscly interesting. The interest was kept up
with steady increase, until the hour Of final
adjournment which took place not until one
o'clock on the morning Of. Tuesday. That the
discussion was most thorough and radical, will
be well understood when We assure our readers
that the speakers adhered very faithfully to the
questions presented in the resolutions. No
vote was proposed on the resolution. The OBJ
icct sought, was gained, so far as gained at all :,
by the discussion. The speeches on the affirm
ativc OF the resolutions, were characterised by
calmncss, candor great intellectual force, a
thorough knowledge Of the subject, and an
evident regard for the cause Of truth and mo.
Ialiiy. We may add that the same was also
true Of Mr.. IIarzcll, of the Disciple church,
who advocated the cluims Of the Bible 70 a
divine authority. OF Mlcssrs Prysc and Hayes,
Presbyterian c.crgymcn who participated in the
discussion, VIC cannot speak so fayoraLy. In
our judgment they were neither masters Of
their subject or their temper. At the last scs-
sion, they seemed 10 have come to tho convio-
lion Of their own ineompotency when in con-
ncxion with the Rev. Ncss!cy OF the Methodist
church in this place, they surrendered the
question to Henry Amber, Esq. This propo-
siiion was received with boistcrous appreciation,
by part Of tho audience, and the modest de-
maud was added, that after two limited speech.
cs by Mcsssa. Hlr;zoll and Barker, Mr.. Amnlcr
should have the privilege of speaking an in. |
definite length of time. The infdels met this |
proposition with literal obedience to the
christian injunction, whatsoever will take thy |
coat, let him have thy cloal, also" They pro.
posed, aud tho meeting unanimously adopted |
the resolution, inviting Mr. Amber to COM |
mcnco i0H,edidieiy, and continue his address !
until he had uttered all he wished 10 say. On |
this invitation Mr.. Amber occupied the stand |
nearly three hours. The closing part of his |!
speech, was grossly personal and insocn. to-
wards Mr. Barker, apparently designed to rulio |
his temper and provoke rccrimination. II this
was his object, he was cmincntly disappointed.
Mr.. Barker in his patience possessed his soul.
Ihc.introducion to his reply, was a model of
manly dignity and Christ-like forbearaucc. or
his argument, we may say, that it was equally
a model of conciscncss, clcarncss, pcrtinency
and power. Mr., Tiffany also added greatly to
the interest Of tho meeting, by his powerful
analysis, aud his clear perception and lorciblc
uIteranco of his viowa, which on some points
were peculiar
Tie time was most industriousy occupied
during the three days of the convention, and
yet the subject seemed only entered upon. 1t
can hardly be said 70 have been discussed, for
lack of time. Ono most important feature Of
the suhjoct-thc influence Of the scriptures, as
connected with the current opinion Of their in
spirntion, received, from this cause, almost, no
attention. No subject requires more thorough
Investigation. None will be attended with
deeper interest.
1t was resolved to publish the proceedings Of
tho convention, though some of the Bible ad-
Yocales strongly objected to the measure, and
expressed desire that their efforts should not
be reported.