Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-05-14
For tho Anti Slavery Bggis.
The BuglG and the Bible Question.

NSAiNo oOhit lnlOTIDdNlOn from IL.
agree with some of its positions that distinguish
it from Free-Soilism, and from Liberty Patty
ism, though sympathizing strongly with those
struggling politically against the tyrant, slave
ry, especially with those in the ranks of Gerrit
Smith, and VIM. Goodell. But whilst l find
some things in your paper to interest ard profit
me, find other things that occasion deep re-
gret.
In the irst place, 1 do exceedingly regret to
perceive indubitable evidence that you and
many Of your correspondents reject the divine
authority of the Bible. AS profcssed anti
slavery men, 1 wonder at you ; as claiming to
be intelligent, candid, honest seekers after
truth, and friends of right, 1 marvel at your
course and your conclusions. Protesting to be
children of the day and lovers of light, you
propose to dispense with the sun, and depend
upon the stars for light. Having secured the
advantages resulting from tho general diffusion
of the light of christianity, you are now will
ling to verify DIR. Franklin's simle of the
overgrown naughty boy, ho beats and abuses
bis mother. But L must not "discuss" this
subject, as such discussion could not be admit
ted into your columns.
This last remark brings me to speak of an
other thing that see with regret in your pa
per. In the number for April End, you tell US
Z" the general subject (thc question of the di-
vine authority of the Bible,) is one prohibited
in your columns" Oliver Johnson when Ed
itor, claimed, if remember rightly, the same
thing. And yet you commented somewhat
freely on the discussion at the late Bible Con-
vontion, and that too, in such a way as TO
strongly favor one side at tho expense of the
other, () and not only so, but you arc ever
and anon throwing out such things as the fol-
lowing, which is in your last No. "The Bible
whether protestant or catholic, has no business
in schools. It's science belongs to the age of
Joshua the son of Nun. The morality it teach
cs is too much in conflict with itself Its value
as text book for teaching pure English classic
style or good reading, is just as valuable as the
hornbooks or novels of King James day, when
it was written
You have no room in your columns for a
full and fair discussion of the claims of the
Bible to divine origin, but can find, now and
then, room for such assertions as the above,
and other innuendos, which are calculated to
blind and prejudice the minds of the unwary
and the corrupt, against the Bible. Now, is
this treating the claims of the Bible, or your
numerous reader, who regard its claims as val
id, and only wish they may have fair play
shown them, in an impartial ard honorable
manneri
Your course reminds me, III may compare
smaller things with larger) of the course OF
one OF our Missionary Boards, the A. B. c. L.
NJ, when the subject of slavery and the con-
nection of its missionaries and churches with
slavcholding, was pressed upon the attention of
that Board, its ready reply was, 1.-The Board
is not an ecclesiastical body-has no discipln-
ary powers; the subject urged upon u.s. be-
longs to the Prcsbytcries, the Associations
we have other work to do and cannot attend
to it," Yet this same Board could promptly
dismiss from its employ some of its missiona-
ries, because of change (not regarded as fun
damcna) in their views of christian doctrine
So with the Bugle From the pen of II. c.
Wright, Mr.. Walker, and others, many things
have been admitted into is columns, calculated
to bear against the divine origin of the Bible,
and when aggreived nnt-slavery men have pro-
posed to reply to these charges and insinuations
against the Bible, they have been told "tho
general subject is ono prohibited in our col
umns." The American Board had disciplning
power whenever it suited its purpose to have
a. -,
umns tor the discussion of the Bible question
for certain of its correspondents, and for its
own editorial assertions on the subject; but to
those who would fully discuss the subject, why,
it ais one prohibited in our columns" (2)
Another thing I have regretted to sec in the
Bugle. Some time since, n. N. Selby wrote
an excellent and important letter, as l deem it,
to certain members Of the Bible Convention"
disappearing their course, disclaiming all fel-
lowship with them in it, and taking such a
position in reference to them as professed anti
slavery agitators, as he deemed necessary to
avoid compromising his christianity. To his
communication, II. C. Wright, Mr.. Walker p.
Pillsbury, and perhaps others have given either
direct reply, or at least side-thrust. Mr..
Walker in his reply, seemed to think Mr.. Sell
bys letter savored of narrow, sectarian preju-
dice and bigotry. He supposed Mr.. Selby,
though christian, could unite with rejecters
of the Bible, in promoting the cause of anti
slavery, and this believe has been the avowed
doctrine of the Buglc, and its friends. Now
Mr.. Walker must know that Mr.. Selby, if
sincere christian, believes tho saying of Christ,
He that is not with me is against me, and he
that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad"
One that rejects the divine authority of the
Bible, is not " with Christ" but "against him."
Christ said to the Jews, "Had ye believed
Moses, ye would have believed me but if ye
l-l.- l. L