Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-04-02

life, thut does not reveal to man his relations,
, duties and destiny? Relations must he un-
derstood, before duty can be defined, and
their destiny, whether present or future, or
both, to give value to relation, and inspire
with motive, TO the discharge of duty
Surely there can I've no misunderstanding in
regard to n rule of life.
Mr. Barker will however, take the affirm
alive of the following proposition: "That
mankind nre able to obtain the knowledge
neediil TO their improvement and welfare,
without supernatural revelation or inidllible
teachers" This is very different thing
ifon an intallibe luIe of life. How glo-
riously indefinite. knowledge neediul."
This much might he affirmed of horse.
But Mr. Barker's proposition contains an
affirmative and negative. First, "'That
mankind ure able to obtnin the knowledge
ueedful to their improvement and welfare"
Second, without supernatural revelation
the affirmative of a negative; Mr.. Barker
being ogician, can but regard his prop
ositon, as an nrtiul piece of management,
to get up false issue, and further, refusal
on his part, to defend in orderly discussion,
the doctrine contained in those offensive
resolutions, of which he will not deny the
paternity, for he was first in committee, first
in report, aud first in defence.
lie has then in seven resolves, and in his
other publications., preferred many and
grievous charges against that Book, which
has been for ages aud yet is, revered by
millions of the better portion Of mankind.
These accusations he ought TO prove, for he
certainly does know, that The more Vetghty
the cai,,mny, The clearer should be the proof q
il, aud then as the Apostle of rationalism,
! he should show to us, superstliious devotees
of that Book, (wIose origin is wrapt in dark
ness-which cnrries on its very face, the
marks of human iinperfection aud error
whose authority is not decisive as to the
truth or ialsehooG of any principle, or the
goodness or badness of any praclce,-a
that the belief that the Bible il perlec
rule Of filth aud practice, is not only alto
gethcr erroneous, but exceedingly mschev'
ous,) that we have more sure word o.
prophecy, to which we shall do well to take
heed.
Mr. Barker cannot get up false iss'i'
with us, neither can he hide himself from
the public gaze, in responsibilities he has
incurred, in offering himself as worthy
guide, to the ignorant and erring of his race
In view Of the whole premises, ! mus
again urge upon his consideration, the prop
ostions submitted in my former letter.
First. "That the Creator has endowed MAJ
with the requisite mental capacity TO acquir
from the devciopements of nature, pertec
knowledge of his relations, duties and DIES
tiny. You affirm, deny" Or ii he preie
this. given over his own signature, las W
might say,) "That mnn has all intalllble rul
of life, engrnven on the nature OF each hu
man being, by the hand Of his Creator,
!, the knowledge of which, depend the prog
: ress, perfection and happiness Of his nature
in every state of his existence" Secon'
uTbnt the Jewish and Christian Scripture
! contain series of communications, supe
It naturally revealed aud miraculously atteste
n from the latter, man may acquire pc
feet rule of life. affirm, you deny"
= So matters present themselves TO my mlI
- Mt present; but if have not understood u
" original resolutions, ask TO be correcie
for do not ask Mr.. Barker, TO defend al
g. doctrine he has not avowed. II his mn
IL has changed with reference to the inialhl
a. source of knowledge, since the conven''e
ID we only ask him TO use his influence
lis blouing from the public records those res
y lutions.
T. If MIR. Barker can show good reason "
'" he should not he required 10 defend eitl
-" of the propositions contained III THIS ern'
the opd of which IL couched in the prec
~ language found in the 9th and 7''' reso
~ tons, we shall then proceed to discuss
NC affirmative, the negative Of which he
~ accepted.
~. Debate TO bo held at some point on
~, Western Reserve, aud 10 commence the
La, of May next. Other prel'n'in"r'es TO
49, settled 10y mutual agreement. Hoping
w.. hear from Mr.. Barker soon,
not remain,
~. Yours for the Truths sake,
JONAS HARTZELl