Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-05-06
GREAT BEREAVEMENT.

The Libcrator thus notices tho departure Of
James w. Walker:
SO long, SO intimately, and so conspeuously has
JAMES w. WALLER boen identified with our grea
movement at the Wost, that his sudden and urex.
pected departure TO the spirit-word is an MS ound-
ing blow, and affects very deeply. We had
almost taken Il for granted that he would 1.-Two 10
see the overthrow of that hidcous system, which
Is the shame OF our age and the curse of our land
and for the utter extinction of which he has labor
ed. in the lecuring field, with zeal and efficiency
not to be surpassed, for many years past He
has been douby proved, rs to bis integrity to the
cause Of liberty-in England, his native land,
where he warmly cspouscd the side of the work.
lng-classses in the teeth of the governmout.-nnd
in the United States, the land of his adoption
where ho has been among the foremost champions
OF the slave, in jOurneyings often, in pers in
the city, in perls in the wilderness. In periIs
among false brethren, in wearincss and painful
ness misunderstood, calunniated. hunted and
mobbcd,--yet ever serene, confident. aggressive
ready to be offered living sacrifice, and at ali
times remembering them that are in bonds as
bound with them. ... ..H
Mr.. WALKER was settled over Aourishing
Methodist church and congregation at Cleveland,
where he was greatly beloved and in much rcpute.
at the time he became acquainted with the work
ings Of slavery; and had he chosen to romain with
the Methodist denomination, aud to he dumb in
regard to the great sin Of the land, he might have
attained tho highest position in that body. But
he was q man of uncomprOmsing principle and
apostolic intrepidity; it was not in his nature TO
confer with flesh and blood D; and as soon rs he
perceived that the American Church was the bull
wark of slavery, and the American Union n cove
nant with death, he publicly ronounced them both,
in the name of God. and took his lot with those
who were every where spoken against for their
hdelity to the right As public dictator and lee
lnrer he had few equals, aud with his pen. through
n al aat,aN.U - D. ..
done excellent service. lie has been laboring for
some time in Michigan, and we have no doubt that
his death Is to be ascrihod to his unremittcd exor
tons in that quarter His memory deserves to be
held IN dcatiess remembrance and may the ben
edictlon of loving God rest upon his bereaycd
vile and children Farewell, dear brother!
Thine earnest pleading for the bound and broken,
fallcth like music ON that other sphere;
Half on the earth and half in heaven twas spoken,
Bringing the bondsmen and the angels near.
Slowly reccding in thine act Of pleading,
From The poor sufferers whom thou sought to
save
Their blessing resting on thy intcrccding,
Hangs like a halo on thy lonely grave;
And streaming inward, through the marrow portal
Breaks like the morning in the shadowy tomb,
Lifting the first steps of thy march immortal,
To joy and triumph from the chill and gloom.
While from the verge Of earth loved voices ringing
Far through the valley luminous day,
Herald thy coming to the angels singing,
Whose songs of welcome meet thee half the way.
There they shall greet thee whom thy labors lifted
From the low places Of their human life
Who but for thee DER the wild seas had driftcd
Outward for ever, or pcrishcd in the strife
Passing in love and power thy souls transition
Is but ascension to Il higher height,
Where all around thee, in thy new condition,
Liies mysteries open in celestial light
Viewing for ever, in calm contemplation,
The widening circles of each duty done,
And through all cycles Of thy elevation,
Ascending nearer to the Heavenly One