Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-01-31
T II L B U G L e .
Letter from Joseph Barker
THE BIBLE AND SLAVERY.

THE BIBLE AND SLAVERY.
MY DEAR FRIEND: With your permission
will lay before your readers, few remarks
on the letters ofNlr. aud Mrs. Wilson.
And, first, had no desire TO cause divi-
sion among the abolitionists by my letter ol
October last, but simply to show, how aholi-
tionists of opposite sentiments, both OH poll
tics nnd theology, might work together. Az
ter referring to different parties, or parties
holding different opinions, among the friends
of the slave, ! added, $50 far as | can, |
will work with them dii,iIllcy will work with
me-" then proceeded to show in how many
ways aboItionists of differing opinions might
work together, provided each one were dis.
posed and able TO low TO his brother the
liberty which lac desired for himself. ! sta
ted my views of the Bible aud of political
action, for the snko Of illustrating this point
and not for the purpose of inducing others
TO adopt my views, or of bringing on a dis
cWsson respecting them. am sorry that
M,. aud Mrs Wilson, should have written as
if they had not understood my letter. On
referring to my letter, lam rather nstonshed
that they should have thought it their duty
to find ihult with it.
Tilus they should differ from mo ia opin-
ion, was natural enough; but that they should
that il wicked ia me to slate my opinions,
especially in the way did state them, seems
somewhat unncconntuble. Perhaps Mr.. and
Mes Wilson will not think it amiss, if | re-
will do so, they must perceive, think, un-
less they are more intolerant than | would
like to believe thea, that could not have
written more suitably or appropriately.
Secondly: have no desire to occupy your
coiu,nrs with a discussion, on the teachings
and merits Of the Bible but as Mr.. and Mrs.
Wilson have made several remarks on this
subject, and appealed to me for an answer;
il might seem disrespccllul, aud subject me
to misconsiruciion in other ways, if | were
not to answer their appeal. With your per-
mission, therefore, will briefly reply to
their remarks. That | may take up as little
VI your Dultl 10 DOSslhiN1 =" ~ IAN Wv h'"'-
ter in the form of dialogue.
UiLson.-We would expect all believers in
the Bible, according to your graphic dcscrp-
ton of its contents, Are shareholders liars,
aud adulterers"
Bdrker.-I answer, first, gdre no descrip-
ton of its contents. | merely referred to II
portion Of its contents, OH one particular sub
ject. But, secondly, many of the believers of
The Bible, are shareholders, liars and aduier-
ers, us you know. And many of them think
themselves justified in being such, by portions
of the Bible. Thirdly, those who think
slave-holdiug, lying, adultery and polygamy
wrong, do, generally, regard great portions
orthe Bible, MS set aside by the better tench
ings of Jesus.
Wiison-People are not generally better
than their moral standards
Buker-They are. You are yourselves
better than your moral standard. Believers
in the Divine authority of the Bible, are very
generally better than their moral standard.
They have worthier ideus of God, of duty,
and Of humanity; and they have correcter
views of astronomy, geography, zoology, his
tory, geology, and on the subjects of witch
craft, divination, necromancy, magic, demo-
mac possessions, aud on n hundred other
subjects, than the writers of portions of the
Bible had.
WilsOn.-People are frequently a great
deal worse than their standards?
Bnker.-They are both better and worse
at the same time. Mems moral and theolo-
gical standards, are generally, and perhaps
always, inconsistent with themselves. This
is the case with the Bible. The different
portions ofthe Bible, teach different and even
opposite doctrines, both with respect TO God
aud Providence, to duty and Immortality
Look at Christ's sermon on the mount Il
was said hy them of old time, IAN eye for ar
eye &c., 'but say unto you, resist not evil,
sc. One Bible writer says, : Be circumcis
cd, or be cut off, another says, 'Circumcis
sion is nothing, and W- circumcision is moth