Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-10-08

htaleleVatlOn Noeleyaton is so high that human
being can stand thereon and outstep human brother
hood. No depression is so low, that man should
not be reached by his fellow man. In all true
religious association, all are equal in position and
parentagc-all are Kings and Priests. In tru,
association, none assume position as superior il
honor to that occupied by all. No room is there
tforpriyilcg jrdcrs-for clergy gy,rccommendcd minis
tcrs elders clerical and other ecclesiastical domi-
nation is entirely abolished, as true deyelopcmont
advances, and we wish all, everywhere, to fully
understand that our desire is the total abolition Of
the order of the clergy,
d, We believe allpriyilcged orders are usurpations
! of the prcrogatives Of humanity and violations Of
the holy relationship of human Brotherhood arc
obstacles in the development of the mind crush
ing and destroying the Godlike within us.
Priests, in all ages as class, have been the con-
seryators Of error and superstition and have only
advanced reformation when the popular senti-
mcnt was too strong in its favor to be resisted -
The clergy as an order, are enemies of Reform, and
the of Progression is accelerated as their inu-
cncc is decreased.
In true state Of society," all feel the responsible
ity resting upon them as ndriuals, and the neces-
dependence upon pampered priesthood, to do
their thinking or their talking. Unless the mind is
imbued with the good and the pure no ceremony
can qualify them to teach divine truth. And while
we recognize the good influence of publicly advo-
eating the principles of truth, we would urge
those who do not feel the necessity of appearing
teachers, ofguarding against depending for thought
and opinion those who do, but to exercise their
own minds so as to maintain full dcpencencc on their
own individuality, and preparation of mind that
will induce them not to neglect the responsibility
that circumstances devolvo upon them, and to nd
vance the great principles that tend to promote the
universal happiness of the human race.
SLAVERY.
The apparently wise of our day, as in the past,
spend their time and talents on comparatively UNI
important affairs, and leave the more important
ones unattcndedto. Sprinkling of infants, baptism
/ Sabbaths and the like absorb all their attention
while humanity lies, in many respects bleeding al
our feet. Even George Fox and his coadjutors
could risk their liberty, their prosperity and per
Traps life itself, for the privilege of wearing theii
hats at all times, they thought best; and yet a
that day. they could not see the outrage in tn,
institution of Slavery. And even at this o
the nineteenth century--in this nation, boasting o
democracy, freedom and religion, millions o
chattel slaves are in our midst. And when thu
GOd-giyen instinct of their nature prompts them I,
seek their liberty by fight to the dominions o
monarchy, through our so-callcd free States, theN
are tracked and pursued with more than savage
barbarity, and cruelty not suffered to be inflicted
ON beast and We are forbidden to interfere or t.
give the least assistance or comfort, not even 81
much Il cupof cold water to qucnch their parch
ing thirst. What is more, the democracy, and the
popular church, would fain stop voices in heil
behalf. This nation in its early history was
mortified with the report of Indian, blood-thisty
crucltcs and now deeds equally revolving are daily
enacted by those claiming to be at the head Of civ
lization and upon helpless people, not onl,
with mpunity but justified by the leading inAu
cnce of Church and State, and this to save tn,
Union! If the Union is dependent ON deeds lik,
these is it entitled to our respect and allegiance?
In view of all this outrage, barbarity and injus
ticc, shall remain dumb? or rather is it not oui
imperative duty to God and man, to individuall,
raise the most stern remonstrance? Yes, as sterI
as though our own children or brothers and sister
were the victims. Would We then heed the oil,
} injunction to keep quiet? What would our quie
religion be worth when it did not break the chan
from the bondsmen lift up the down-troddcn an'
relieve the suaerings Of our fellow beings. |
would be a sham. And all religion that does no
speak out in thunder tones under circumstance
: like these is a sham and worse than sham, for
fosters the bad, and supprcsses the good.
And now, Friends, let us be willing to take
clearer view of the field of labor before us. Go,
requires nothing for his own special good or com
, fort at our hands. All this plea about spcca
, worship of him, is no better than the whirlwind
the earthquake and the fire, spoken of by the pro
phet. God is not in it, When our minds ar
; sufficiently enlightened to see the law Of right O
, individual equality-and to act and so live as t
always draw out mental, moral, and physica
r deyelopement for the lettering of ourselves an,
| the race, then shall we worship as VIC ought AM
not only slavery, but all the other evils that nov
, aflct society will be diminished in amount. lie
| us then make these meetings time of strengthen
| ing individual action for the redemption Of tn
/, race.
n TEMPERANCE.
/, On the important question of temperance, w
! have few words Of caution and encouragement
to utter.
) The question now presents a new phase, and i
therefore liable to new danger. The labors of tenn
perance reformers have reached in their influence
the mass of the people, and they are now laborinl
to carry out the principles of temperance by th
enactment of prohbtory law. The instrumental
ity of force-of law, is the final resort of the
of the people. Of course we expect them to resor
} to it for the accomplishment of this object nov
that they are in earnest to suppress the of in
toxicating drinks. We can and do heartily rejoic
in the development Of public sentiment througl
, the Maine Law and other similar forms. If exc
cutcd, such laws will remove temptation, and max
the work of reformers vastly easier 1t will be
step in that reform, but not the reform itself Fo
0 men restrained merely by the force of legal enact
ments, are not to be trusted, The Maine Law vii