Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-08-11
REV. JUDICIOUs TRIMMER, D. D.

Mr. Trimmer began to study the~signs of the
times. He became convinced that reformatory
movements could not be put to rest. The people
were intent upon some great changes lie must
look out for his interests and, like Uzza, who was
martyr to his extreme caution he conceived it
to be his mission to steady the ark. Radicasm
he hated: but in order to head radlcaism, he
must turn moderate reformer AbotionSt could
not be held back from doing something, unless it
wae by men who had some reputation as reform
ers. BY gaining such reputation, Mr.. Trimmer
could be useful to himself in various ways. The
conservatives would pay him for holding back the
radicals, and the radicals would pay him for drag
ging along the heavy conservatives lie could
get up reputation as a reformcr cheap. lie
could pray for the slave, and that would catch the
moral suasion Abolitionists. He could denounce
1nfdel reformers, and that would keep peace with
the conservative theologlans. llo could talk about
slavery as sin, but denounce those who secluded
themselves from the churches which upheld the
sin. After each sermon or essay in favor of
gradual emancipation, he could assert his deter
mination to live and die IN his church, whe her
it went Tor emancipation or not. Thus he would
be able to get support and praise from both sides
BY preaching little anti-slavery himself, he
could keep itinerant brethren out of his pulpit.
The Elders could say, Sour minister breaches on
the subject and we have need Of lecturers. He
could thus hold the people under his hand, and
could keep all things steady.
lie pursued the same course on tn, subject Of
Christian union
He hated sectarianism, he said. but he was
equally afraid of come-out-ism. When man
came into the place to preach Christian union he
proposed to exchange with his Baptist brother,
and thus show no friendly they were, so as to
take the wind out Of the sails Of this union move.
ment.
Mr.. Trimmer adopted this absorption system
generally. That is, when any reform began to
grow popular, he would engage in it just enough
10 keen peace in the church, and quiet the COM
munty, under the impression that the minister
reformer, and yet be careful not to render
any real aid to radicalism. Words of reform were
cheap lie toui6 use tbem too, with a good con.
science, aud rs these reformatory words pleased
the people, he became an adept in theil use. AT
the same same time, he kept at peace with his de-
nomination. If any grew restless under the idea
that the denomination was not advancing fast
enough, Mr. Trimmer was Just the man to be put
forward to restore quiet Was he not reform
or? and did he not remain in the church? Did
he not talk against slavery and seetariansm, and
yet keep in the organization! Such holy man
must be right
Thus you see, he formed kind of breakwatei
on both sides, and catehed any stray donation OF
rise in salary which hoated up from either side
Of course, Mr. Trimmer rose up to the top OF thu
fence in such course at last. lie went Tor re
strcting and limiting evils-but was not so fanat
ical rs TO think Of aboshing them. Whereve
there was church which was likely to lose SOM
of their members by secession, Mr.. Trimmer wa
just the man for that place. lie could be reforme
enough in words TO keep the radicals quiet, and h
never did any deed to disturb the others. On seV
eral occasions, he attended protracted meeting
with such churches. and healed old breaches by hi
judicious course. True, his meetings, with all hi
reform talk, left the church dead on such subject
practically; hut Mr.. Trimmer became all the NOR
popular. Some of the radicals complained of hiI
sc sorse than dozen opposers, for they said hi