Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-07-31
Notes from the Leciurlng Field.


Neither do we hide our light under bushel,
but set It on candlestick that the benightened
may see it and be blessed. Especially do we
trim our lamp or snuff our candle on the glorious
fourth, the day on which the despors candle
went out, and freedoms lamp was lit. One of
two things seems certain, either the people have
very large measure of freedom or they make
much, very much of what they have got, be it
ever so little. Some people have the faculty of
doing quito a large business on very small capi-
tal while some make quito q stir and show with
fictitious capital alone. The latter am inclined
to think is the condition Of this country From
the number Of persons employed on tho fourth
to set forth the article of liberty as possessed by
us as a people, one would think the quantity to
be very great and the quality to be remarkably
good. In fact, If all that was said on that mem.
orable day was written in a book the world
would scarcely contain it; and yet amid the
whole, millions of bondmen toll in hopeless
agony. Slave mothcs shrick in painful dismay,
while the great political parties agree to smother
their voices and drown their agonies in their
maddcned shouts for Liberty and Union. Father
forgive and save them.
An incident occurred on the evening preceding
the day on which the nation celebrates its birth,
which shows what mockery, to some, such
celebration must be. l had some time before
engaged to speak on the third and fourth in
Penn. and as myself and wife were on our road
there We staid all night at the house of friend.
About dark an anti-slavery brother came in to
get team to take man and his wife to Jefier-
son. We soon found that they were Virginians
of sable complexion who were stroining every
nerve to escape from this land of liberty, to one
of monarchal rule, where they might rest from
their fears being safe. OF course a team was
soon provided, all hands readily aiding the
glorious work. All seemed to have /" conquered
their prejudices" and went to work with alac-
rity." One who himself had long felt the gall.
ing yoke went to the field for the horses, others
fixed the box on the wagon while the women in
the house took up a collection for the fugtives,
who were again speedily under good headway.
accom- panied the friend above mentioned in his
midnight journey, and a sad yet happy time VIC
had sad to think that at that very time in JEFF
ferson and hundreds of other places balls were
being held in commemoration of fire. eedom, and
within sound of the music and under cover of
the night in old Ashtabula, American men and
women were trembling Test the bloodhoands Of
slavery should, from within sight of Canada,
drag them back to the hell from whence they
had escapcd-happy, because there was pros
pect that two of Gods children and our fellows
were soon TO be free from their master.
This poor old couple had served their whole
lives under the CALLING LASH For three score
years they had endured all the incidents of chat
tlcism. But they could endure no more. God
had blessed them in his love with seven children
fond and dear. One by one the relentless grasp
of slavery tore them away until not one was left.
"Gonc, gone, sold and gone
To the rice swamp dank and lone"
AL this continued series of aggressions upon
the patornal feelings, they had borne. At last
the mother and wife in her old age is to be sold
to satisfy the monsters demand. This was too
much. They fled to the swamps and woods,
and finally after tolls and dangers untold they
had reached the border county. Crippled and
aged they ardcntly desired to reach land where
they could die free. l will mention that tho
friend who took them on their journey is Jus
tice of the Peace as also a member of the Free
Will Baptist Church. We took them to the
house Of government officer to whose hospi-
tality they were heartily welcome, could they
have been induced to stay. told my friend
that was glad to see Office holdeis setting at
nought their political obligations, trampling con-
stitutons and laws beneath their feet at the de-
mand Of humanity.
:" Man is more than constitutions, better rot be.
meath the sod,
Than be true to Church and State, and doubly
false TO Cod
Tho young mon at the ball contributed some
three dollars for their aid, and they went on
their way rejoicingi what q commentary on tho
next days proceedings. held two good meet
ings in Penn. in the neighborhood of Linesvlle
Where found Mr.. Selby had been tho week
before doing good service. On the following
Tuesday l started for Medina county, to keep
some engagements alluded to in former article.
On Sunday the lth spoke in Hinkley twice, to
the largest congregations ever saw there ex-
cept the grove convention two years ago. A
large barn was fitted up as q sanctuary and there
amid the smiles of heaven we plead tho cause of
our enslaved country men. trust many hearts
were quickened.
On Tuesday We had ono of the heaviest rain
storms ever saw, this prevented our meeting
that evening. On Thursday evening spoke
at place called SOdOn, to a deeply attentive
congregation. A few Democrats who believe
in equality, and at the same time believe as
strongly that slavery will be perpetual were
rather excited at what was said about the gov
ernment, but although It was the first lecture of
the kind in the place the seed sown was not in
vain,