Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-07-09

onRIeEauon Uau Oeen gnthcfeu unucr hle
ministry. Ills successor would naturally
,ecome the subject of trying comparisons.
Add TO this, he was surrounded hy associates
u the profession, who were tnciureh with n
certain leoven OF Massachusetts pride aud
exeiusiveness. lie was stranger from Con-
necticut, graduate of Yule College, with
the advantage Of only one years discipline !
within the oristocraic walls of Harvard !
Nor had he come into the sanctuary through /
the regular door. Ills previous cnrreer as |
lawyer and inercllan; gave n tnini of llcgiti- |
macy TO his clericrl profession, IN The dainty
npstrils of those with whom precedent was
OF more consequence than practice lie lad,
moreover, all inconvenient habit of speaking
his mind on oil occasons--O of using "periect
plainness Of Speech" when great lover of
conceulment would have suggested silence
land OF paying the least possible difference
TO an opinion or an institution which had
only the prestige of antiquity IN its favor.---
In short, surrounded MS lac WIS by so many
pretentions aud plausible imnges, he could
not refrain from the audacious work Of an
iconoclast. His course in thus respect was
an nstonishment TO those mock BUanergeses
with whom ",liscretion" is always tho {" bet
ter part of valor."
In spite of these obstacles in his path, Mr.
Pierpout soon gained an elevated rank among
the clergy of Boston. His discourscs were
remplete with origuul thought, clothed in n
highly picturesque and poetic diction. They
were often urguinentative IN character, but
always relieved 10y ingenious and novel illus
tralions. Avoiding in great measure abstract
and dogmntic themes, they dwelt on topics
which come home to the Cuisines and lo-
aoms" of popular audience. Free from the
81. tt,.,
attracted attention 10y their holdness of dis
cussiop nnd originality of style. Always
earnest ,decorous, impressive, they sometimes
borrowed the recourse of pungent sarcasm
mud racy hulnor. Dealing in the broad
principles of human nature, deriving sugges-
lions from the current events of the day, und
delivered with a iervent aud kindling elo-
qnence, they aroused the he0rer to reflection
and inquiry, while they touched The nobler
ryinputhies of his heart No public speaker
has more thoroughly studied the philosophy
of elocution. The charm of his intonnllon,
mud the variety mud force of his emphasis,
gave a fresh meaning to his reading OF the
scriptures and of sacred poetry. In extern
poraneous efforts there has seldom been his
equal for continuity of thought, freedom of
language, aud pilhy aud poiuIed illustration.
With the high moral aims which hive
always characterized his career, Mr.. Pier
pont used his clerical influence for the pro-
motion of social reform. Ills lnbOrs in
behalf of Temperance, Anti.Slavery, the |
Meiioration Of Prison Dicipine, the Amend |
ment of the MiIila System, and other bu- |
mnnitary objects were abundant and effctual. |
lie threw himself nto those movements
with peculiar energy and indomitnble cour-
arge. lie never shrunk from their unpopu-
l..I Il. .t
of the nIatninon of uurighteousncss" lie
uttered his convictions in the trImpet-tones
Of religious earnestness. Every word told.
At length the persons who ihrovc 10y existing |
abuses took the nnrm. They began to quail |
before the burning eye of tho fiery -hcarled I,
Reiorner Low mutierngS of dissatisfaction !
were heard. The faces of many old friends |
were turned against him, and their ancient |
love waxed cold. Disconled nurmurs were
heard "between the porch aud the altnr," as
the undsmayed "mnn of God" lifted up his
voice in rebuke of some gigantic iuiqnity.-
1t was thought an objectionable audnclty
thnt n Christian preacher in n Christian
church should speak so boldly of "teinper-
ance, righteousness aud n Judgement to come
But as yet the lurking fire of opposition had |
not broken out into open flame. Al this
crisis MIR. PierpOnt was attacked with vio-
lent fever. His sufferings were severe aud
protracted. AT last the disense was con
auered, but il left him almost u wreck of his
former sell. In 1885, by the advice of his
physcans, he made voyage 10 Europe,
extended his travels TO COnstnntinoplc aud
the ruins of Ephesus, aud returned III about
eleven months, with renewed ENERGY 10 the
discharge of his official functions.
Soon after his return, the discomfort OF
those who had been ugrieved by his Zenl for
reform, was mnilested in open and violent
opposition. a painful controversy between
n portion of the parish mud the pnstor COM
menced in 1888, which CONTINUED for seven
years, when n dismissal was requested by
Mr. Pierpont, who lIad iriunlphanlly sustaln-
ed himself against u charge OF his ndver-
saries.
Ills conduct in this protracte,l controversy
was marked 10y great energy, determination,
wisdom, lIe felt TINT he was not only con-
tending for personal rights, but for great
moral principle. Tie freedom of the pulpit
was az stake. A blow was struck through
him at the right of liberty of thought aud of
speccb in tie public teacher OF religion. lie
promptly iaccI the danger, and faced II man
iuIy. Surrounded by rinlid friends, who
hhrllnk from contest as an evil in liseli-wltli
little sympathy from his professional hrelh-
rem. who regarded the pence ot parish MS
the one thing needlul-and living IN an at
mosphere OF strong conservatives prolrieiles
he was throwu,lo great degree,on lils own
resources, aud uInde 10 trend the wlne-press
alone" But not for II moment did he hller
ia his course. With equal promptness and
inirepidity, lie met every lnn'euver OF Iis
enemies, until, having fully vindica'ed hls
postiol,,ie withdrew from struggle IA which
a further triumph would have been s''perllu-
Gus.
The spirit IN which he dealt with bis an
tagonists will bc preceved from the following
extract from reply TO the proprIelors OF the
church who Ind communicated 10 him vote