Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-03

rles reiatlVe 10 the ulHculty In Lane seminary on
tho slavery question in 1891. 10 satisfy these in
quires we re-pubsh the following extracts from
the Statement of the students made in iustifi-
cation of their principles and course of conduct
The Undersigned recently members of Lane
Seminary, having withdrawn from that Institution,
desire TO lay before the Christian public, the con-
siderations which have Influenced them; together
with the circumstances which have mainly contri-
buted to such result
OF those who have now severed their relation
ship with Lane Seminary, attended its car
est recitations, and these, with large number of
the remainder entered its first theological class in
the fall of 1898.
The circumstances Of our matrculation were
peculiarly impressive. We were connected with
an institution freighted with the spiritual interests
OF the West We were numerous without pre-
cedent, in the beginnings of similar Institutions
The Valley was our expected fied and we assem-
bled here, that we might the more accurately learn
its character, catch the spirit of its gigantic enter
prise, grow up into its genius appreciate its pecu-
liar wants, and be thus qualified by practical skill
no less than by theological erudiion, to WELD the
weapons of truth
But the responsibility of the post we provden-
TALLY held, as the first class in Theological Semi.
nary, ou.weighed all other considerations, in our
estimate of duty. The friends of the new Institu-
tion expected of us, that we should be letters of
commendation to the western churches and that
our scholarship, piety, and practical usefulness,
would be the earnests of its future success
Our probable influence over succeeding classes
was also matter of deep solcitude God the
church, the ministry, the wants of sinking world
summoned us to such course of holy living and
self-denying action, as our SUCCESSORS might with
safety initiate; to breathe spirit which might well
inspire them; and to leave behind us mantles
which they might fitly wear.
We aimed, therefore, to make such disposal Of
our influence, as would contribute to place Lane
Seminary upon high moral ground and thus great
ly elevate the standard and augment the resources
of ministerial efficiency.
AS primary step, we were led to adont this
principal, that free discussion, 'oih correspondent
effort, is a DUTY, and Of course a RIGHT.
We proceeded upon this principle, without mo-
lestation, III our studies, at our rcCtatUns and
lectures.
We applied it to missions, at homo and abroad;
and we acted Immediately, through liberal contri-
buttons. We took up temperance. Discussion
was needless, duty was plain, and we acted. With
the Sunday school eause we proceeded in like man,
Next moral reform came up. We examined
it, in series of adjourned meetings; light was
elected, principles were fixed, and action followed
With the same spirit of free inquiry, we discus
sed the question of slavery We prayed much,
heard facts weighed arguments, kept our temper,
and after the most patient pondering, in which we
were sustained by the excitement of sympathy rot
of anger, we decided that slavery was Il sin, and
as such, ought to be Immediately renounced In
this case, too, VIC acted. We organized an anti
remonstrances and appeals.
We threw ourselves into the nee glected mass of
colored population in the city Of Cincinnati, and
that we might heave it up to the light Of the sun,
established Sabbath, day and evening schools. ly-
ceums, q circulating library, &C.; choosing rather
to employ our leisure hours in Offices of brother
hood to ''the lame, the halt and the blind" than
to devote them to fashionable calls and ceremonial
salutations.
We have outraged no man. We have scrupu-
o,,Sly nj 1nEia in
structors will testify. We not aware of hav-
ing done any thing which could have been left un-
done, without a surrender of principle. On the
contrary, we.mOurn that we have done so little,
and suffered little, for those who have lost every
thing in the vortex of our rapacity, and now, all
manacled, trampled down and palsied, cannot help
themselves.
The faculty have repeatedly and to the last, as
sured us, that our demeanor toward them has been
respectful that our conduct in the whole tenor has
been such as to sustain law and order, that there
was nothing to prevent them from giving us upon
our withdrawal certificates of regular standing,
which they accordingly did. The ground of our
secession from the Seminary is, that free discus
sion and correspondent action have been prohibi-
ted by la,c. We are commanded to discontinue
our anti ti-slavery society. We prohibited from
holding meetings among ourselves, and from max
ing statements and communications at table or
elsewhere, without permission. A committee of
the board of trustees is set to exercise
dismiss any student whenever they may deem it
necessary so to do, without consultation with the
faculty and without assigning reasons either to
them, TO the individual dismissed or to the COM
munity.
These prohbtory enactments have driven us
from our beloved institution. Sustaining relations
to the church of Christ now rendered somewhat
peculiar duty to his cause demands from us an ez-
plicit statement of the grounds of our secession
We believe free discussion to be the duty of ev-
cry rational being. 1t is the acting out of the
command Prove all Mtngs." 1t is inquiry after
or Lid in the works of God or branching out thro'
lie relations and duties OF man. We are bound to
conduct this searcb, tohereUe." may tedd, ana TO
adopt the conclusions to which II may lead u.s.
And, whereas, the single Object OF ascertainlnS
truth is to learn how to act we are bound to DO at
once whatever truth dictates to be done. This
duty of discussion and action is not con 1erred by
human authority, and we have no right to resign
it upon entering into any association literary or
political. Free discussion being a duty is conISe-
auently right and as such, is inherent and in
.alienable 1t is our right. 1t was before we en-
tered Lane Seminary; privileges we might and did
,relinquish advantages we might and did receive.
But this right the institution could neither give
nor take away" Theological Institutions must of
course recognize this immutabe principle. Pro
scription of free discussion is sacrilege 1t is Dor
ing out the eyes OF the soul 1t is the robbery of
mind. 1t is the burial of truth If institutions
cannot stand ON this broad footing let them fall
Better, infinitely better, that the mob should de-
molish every building, or the incendiary wrap
them in flames and the young men be sent home
to ask their fathers "what is truth :" to ask ma
iture's million voices--her forests and her hoary
mountains "what is truth 2" than our theological
seminaries should become Bastles, our theological
students thinkers by permission, and the rights OF
free discussion tanned down into soulless
thing of gracious, condescending suferance. But
who can doubt the praetieability OF governing eS'
peoially theological students consistently with
these principles Authority is not nullifed. Fac