Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-06-30
JOSEPH
New CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA. Jun!

New CASTLE, Pennsylvania, june, 1865.
FRIEND Robinson Il thank you for your cOur.
tesy in publishing my letter. But there is n ".
biographical error which will expose me to the
wrath of the hunkers and which l greatly regret
"Churchianity" in the manuscript. Churchianii,
is a term not found in the Lexicons, but yet it is
expressive of the idea intended to be conveyed
1t means the religion of the huN-of the outside,
while Christianity is the religion of the kernel
Christianity does not commit fornIcation and adul.
try. But "Me Church" does. She has often gone
a-whoring after other Gods. She has often persecu
ted Christ and his followers into the caves and
dens Of the Earth. l hold that Christianity is the
foe, uncompromising and relentless, to every thing
unholy and unjust. But the world knows that in
this country "the Church" has taken to its en-
brace that quintessence of yillainy and meanncss,
American Slavery, and the offspring is the mon.
ser which you see. The real Church of the Liv-
ing God, the Pillar and ground of the Truth, EN-,
braces all the true-hearted witnesses for the truth
both inside and outside of ecclesiastical organiza-
tons. Against this body of testimony bearers l
would not dare to utter q word. Sooner let my
tongue cleave to the roof ofmy mouth. Butagainst
NurchianHy-the religion of mere organization
the religion of HunksriSm-the enemy of God and
man, open my batteries and direct my hottest
fire. 1t shows me no favor and | show it nome
If it condescend to notice my letter in the Bugle,
it will avail itself of the blunder alluded to, to
show that am opposed to Christianity.
In your remarks upon my letter, you seem to
think | ought to condemn with more severity Cal
WINS burning Serxetus." 1t was a terrible infic-
ton. But remember that it was the spirit of the
age that was to blame. When We recollcct that
the reformers, in the days of their youth, sucked
the breasts of the old Harlot-the Church of Rome
which was, and is, and while it exists will be, n
prosecuting intolerant Church, the wonder is that
they were not infinitely worse. But as you blame
the spirit of the 10Th century for hanging David
Jewel at Pittsburgh, rather than the sheriff of
Allegheny county who put the rope round his
neck according to law"-so l blame Calvin's age
moro than Calvin for the burning of S~ervetus. /
do not defend nor extenuate the part Calvin took
as a magistrate in the affair, but condemn it as
Popish and Anti-Chri,tian. Neither do l defend
my ancestors in the Colony of Massachusetts, when
they cut the ears of the Quakers off and hung
them. But let us remember their early education
in the intolerant principles of the Papacy, and
above all let us not forget that they were men and
not Angels, with all the faults of men in their
characters.
But after all there is not so much difference of
opinion between us. You believe that the Reli-
gion of Jesus Christ accords to every man born,
all his sacred and inalienable rights. So do l.
You believe that the slaveholding and slavery apol-
.ogizing Religion of the U. S. is a sham, and so far
not.Christianity. So do I. And as the existence of
counterfeit coin proves by implication the existence
of the genuine article which is good, we are agreed
that real Christianity if brought to bear upon sla-
very or any other system of crime would speedily
abolish it.
With sentiments of respect l remain yours,
ARTHUR b. BRADFORD.