Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-01-01
VOL. 8
Letter from C. s. :. Gnffing.
LrrcHrpLp. Dec. 18th. 1852.

0AAOhEbLDg OtCs Aobns lOOHs
DEAn MARIus Since our last communication
we have been holding Anti Slavery meetings in
this vicinity many Of which apparently prom
ise good results. AT Bridgeport, village south
of this, in Wayne County, we held three meet
ings having good attendance and good atten-
ton ut each meeting. The last evening we
spoke of "Thc Church." showing that it is false
to humanity, to the slave and God, and our
effort was considered sufficiently important to
call to the defence Of the Church a venerable
Methodist minister, whose apologies appeared
skillful and good tempered as long as he had
hope of persuadng the audience that the
Methodist Episcopal Church was Anti Slavery,
and "Tbe Church." Gods instrumcntality for
the salvation of the world. When this hopo
depar'cdit seemed to take with it his politeness,
good temper and good sense, leaving tho
priest alone in his folly arrogantly to fight
against truth and the convictions Of his hearers.
The illustration, however, was a good one TO
show the power and influence of Mcthodism
and Religion in an hour of sore trial and ex-
tremo difficulty, and l presume will have q
salutary influence on all who witnessed il.
At Polk, in Ashland County, we held two
large meetings. The condition of tho slave
was presented, and sorrow and sympathy mani
tested for them. The unholy position Of the
church, and no apology offered for it. Tho
Government was shown to be against liberty
and in favor Of slavery, corrupt, and corrupting
in its influence, and no one camo to its defence.
Our position was clearly defined and no objcc-
A.. l. = rs.
fulncss several witnessed by subscribing to the
Buglc. During most of our stay in this place
We were kindly entertained in tho family of
Mr.. Kuhn, who is keeping Temperance House
for tho sake of principle, and at n pccuniary
sacrifice to himself; for total abstinence is not
here one of the most popular theories or preva-
lent practices. lie is also free soilcr, almost
the only one within hearing Of the place, and
his position reminds me of one of the hymns
we used to sing, verse of which is,
"Jesus, take all the praise,
That still on earth we live
Unspotted, in so foul place,
And innoccntly grievo."
For if any abolilonist could innocently be a
free soilcr, it would, in my opinion. DO a tenn
pcrance man amid such bunker Whig Demo-
crat and Methodist surroundings. Here, too,
we found family of Walton's from Marlboro,
near you, who arc ready to identify themselves
with the friends Of the slave.
Again, in Eaton, Lorain County we held
rather unusual mcetings,in the Disciple Church,
the use of which was freely given on tho part
OF the church, notwithstanding VIC dealt faith
fully with them and their patriarchal progeni,or,
A. Campbell. Some rcpudiated the master
and would not be his disciples, and all
positively refused to bo called by his name
The last evening was principally spent upon
the government and political parties. Some
discussion cnsucd, and the meeting was pro.
longed until late hour At its close VIC OBJ
tained six subscribers to the Bugle, and thus
our position and principle will be efficiently
spread out before them weekly. In this pl.ee
especially, and in every place We visited
to a considerable extent, We found an interest In
the Anti'SlaVory cause awakened and increased
IN women, by Josephine's presence and ad-
dresses. And now, surely, the time has com.
when women may plead for the oppressed
without opposition from tho "world," in tho
sense the church uses that word. In fact, from
the pro-slavery ehnTch, the most virulent oppo-
sition to truth, IN amy phase in which it may
be presented, is received. And if In it's out
ward course it would but turn q very little
more to the iett than it now does, it would be
entirely out OF our way, and would bo to all
except itself, harmless representative OF folly,
Ignorance, superstition, and Satan.
G., S s. GRIFFING