Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-07-28
EDITORIAL

Bro. Pettijohn, of the Indiana NJ. f. Conference,
now station cd at Fort Wayne, when studying med
icine at Philadelphia, was a constant nearer in our
little Wesleyan Chapel, and a frequent visitor at
our house. Since returning west, he has entered
the ministry, and of late been travelling South for
his health. The facts about ministers holding and
selling slaves, which he has published, have been
copied throughout the length and breadth of the
land. While this has served the cause of truth,
and spurred on the anti-slavery MethOdists to more
determined opposition to Slavery, it has rebuked
the shameful perversion OF facts which has charac-
teriged not a few Methodist preachers and some
Methodist papers. No man feels the rebuke more
keenly than DIR. Elliott, of the Western Christian
Advocate. After giving Pettijohn's facts, and
getting up a large surplus of sham anti-slavery
Indignation over them, a change has come ovor the
spirit of his dream. The disgraceful and just
stigma they fix on Methodism causes not a few of
the Southern brethren, who know tho statements
to be true, to attempt concealment by raising n
great dust over the matter. They demand the de-
tailed proof of what Bro. Pettijohn saw with his
own eyes, and insist on his being regarded rs a
liar, if he don't go through the onerous duty of
prelcrring charges and bringing to trial the alleged
offenders.
To this demand DR.. Elliott becomes a party, and
Bro. Pcttjohn replies, showing how unreasonable
and uncallcd for such a demand is. lie however
volunteers to say:
"But now, in order to accommodate the feelings
of some who arc terrified over this subject or the
facts that have been thus disclosed, | will slightly
change my position, but leave room to embrace
the same as any other facts that | may choose to
produce. l will now accordingly state my propo-
sition, and will hold myself responsible for its
proof.
"Some members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church do trade in the bodies and souls of men
for what is a body without a soul? you can't sell
q dead negro-and still retain their membership
in our church. This, l am sorry to acknowledge,
is true; who daros to deny it? And it certainly
is true, to our shame MS q Christian church, that
such things can be suffered within the pale of the
church. Now / wish it di 'tinctly understood, that
| believe, although such things are done by mem,
bers Of our church, and they retain their member
ship in spite of all the laws of the church on this
question, yet lam equally sure that such things
are in direct violation of the true spirit or geniu,
OF our beloved Meihodism. But l am indeed sicl
at heart with this mock sympathy manifested upor
ed and deeply ~sorrowful that such things have beer
exposed TO the public gaze. l am equally sorrow
full, too, and | could at this moment weep as / re
fleet that the Church of Jesus Christ, and tina
Church that l love as love my own life, l coul,
at this moment weep bitter tears of grief when
remember that not only our members trade il
slaves, and retain their membership in our Churcl
but some OF our own church members are bOugh
and sold rs the OK from the stall. o, is it an,
wonder, then, when these solemn truths are befor,
us-is it any wonder that there should be SOM
of the dying agonies of this man of sin manifest
ed? l tell you that just as sure as the truth il
reference to these things is uncovered, and brough
before the minds Of the intelligent and pious, us
t so sure will n pure and holy sentiment come from
the great, benevolent and christian heart of thi
commonwealth, that will put to blush this monste
iniquity, so that its ugly and hateful form will
never again be seen, especially within the pale Q
the Christian church at least, and in this way W,
will, by the power of public sentiment, drive it t
its native he'll.
"Now lot mo ask in the name Of reason, hat
not cur good brethren, who are so sorry and s.
much grieved that these things have been publish
ed to the world had they not much better weel