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

Whenever intellect moves in the sublimity Of pow
er, the heart generates its momentum. 1t is when
the deep tides of emotion well out from full foun.
tans--that n.ellec is buoyed upward, and borne
onward i'll majesty and might. subject so deep
ly lreighted with human interests as that Of sla
very, cannot be in nvestgated and discussed ntell
gently and thoroughly without amplifying and ex-
panding the intellect and increasing the powers OF
its action upon all subjects. Let institutions
engage in discussing subjects of great practical
moment, such as slavery intempcranco, and moral
reform, let them address themselves to the effort
let it be pcrsevercd in through an entire course
and they will introduce new era in mind the era
OF disposable power and practical accomplishment
But besides the general impulse given to thought
and emotion by contact with subjects of vast prPc-
teal moment, II large amount of definite knowl-
edge upon such subjects must be acquired. The
! mind should have n household familiarity with all
their principles and bearings; the interests affect
ed, the wide relations to right and wrong, and the
ultimate effect upon human JOY and wo. This ap-
plies with tenfold force to theological students.-I
lie who would preach to the nineteenth century,
must know the nineteenth century. No matter
how deeply read in the history of the past, if not
versed in the records Of his own day, he is not fit
to preach the gospel. Ifhe would bless the church
nou, he must kHowher Rotc-where she is and what
her moral latitude, must scrutinize her condition
inspect her ymptoms-ascertan the mode of pre-
yious treatment, and compare it with the prescrIp-
tions contained in Gods book Of directions where
the case is described.
"Is man prepared rightly to understand the
word of truth, giving to each his portion in due
season. who is ignorant of prevailing sins and
evils, the moral movements of the day, the spirit
of the age, the causes Of existing inelicencv and
the nature, position, and relative power OF those
counteracting causes which defeat nstrumentality
both human and divine, and roll the world away
from the millennium? is axiom with uni
vcrsa mind, that discussion discussion free as air
is the grand desderatum for eliciting truth. Ii
our theological semnaries pursue any other course
they fall behind the spirit Of the age. This kind
of training is as important part of the preparation
for the ministry, an acquaintance with the prin-
ciples Of interpretation a knowledge of didactic
theology In short, our theological seminarcs will
only mock the eXigcnces Of the age, and the ex-
pectations Of the church, unless they hold their
students in contact with these eXigcncles that when
they have finished their preparation, and are thrown
into the midst Of them, they may kRo,c whele hcy
are and feel at home."
f We heartily concur with Dr. Beecher in appro-
2 val of these sentiments.
;, All the giant sins which have ever made havoc
in society, have been tolerated and sanctioned by
public sentiment. He that moves with the tide OF
this public sentiment, is part Of it, augmens 1t,
and cannot absolye himself from the responsibility
of its effects. If it be wrong, it is not enough that
t he silently withdraw his original contributions
c leaving the remainder to sweep on unresisted 1t
: is not enough that he neither votes for nquity
+ himself solicits the votes of others. If he
would be guiltlcss Of blood, he must do his
to unite against it the sutfrages of the world. A
/ moral agent cannot determine duty by proxy. lie
c must investigate for himself.
. Perhaps it may be said, Let the right end duty
Of Investigation be conceded but whence the obli-
CATION to dtScuss2" When infinite interests are
pending, all available aid is demanded Discuss
sion is the standard test for the detection Of ala
ces and the revelation Of truth. 1t is the furnace
where gold and alloy separate 1t is the fan which
drives the chaif and wheat asunder. 1t is the
r A.. e.
tribunals reversed or confirmed. In the search
after TRUTH can we dispense with such aid, when
available, and be guilteSs?
The right of discussion stands on the same basis
with that of conversation; the interchange of civil
tiles: and social worship: all Of which belong to us
as social beings, and are in no sense lost by con-
nection with a Theological Institution. What is
: discussion but conversation regulated by rules for
the purpose Of facilitating an interchange and
comparison of sentiments? And if the infringe
ment in the is pal pable violation OF nat
ural rights, it is equally so in the other
But, if the right of free discussion be allowed,
it will be abused and against the abuse thctc is
no remedy. Students often engage IN improbable
conversation, and thus abuse tie right Shall con-
yersaton therefore be made contraband, and the
selection of topics tax upon the resources of the
faculty? Shall theological students play the mute
except when the strings of their tongues oosed
by those in authority? On this subject, intro
duce an extract from the Standard" a religious
PERIODICAL puDllSneu tIle OF cOutn liall-
over College and Theological Seminary and edited
by the professors of the same.
In commenting upon the laws they say, " If we
were ut liberty to speak freely on this subject we
should question the prOpriety of adopting any res
f oluton forbiddng free discussion among the stu
dents of public seminary. This is matter
which we think must be left to the students them
selves; and if any student should abuse this priv
ilege so as to ure the institution let him be cut
off from all the privileges of the Institution. We
think this much safer course than to attempt to
: regulate the discussions Of students in any other
} way"
TO the above sentiments we cordially subscribe.
Let Just retribution overtake the wrong door; but
! let the guiltless pass unharmed. If there have
been a wanton msappcation Of time and talents,
bring down the penalty, without sparing or pity
but only ,chere it is deselyed. Make not the crime
| of the guilty, pretext for general seizure and
confscation of the rights Of the innocent Better
that generation of students should be expelled
f than that discussion should for a moment wear
/ shackle
l By The right of free discussion, we do not mean
that we have the right to employ, for that purpose,
the time appropriated to other duties, nor that we
: have the right to occupy the public rooms without
permission nor to conduct the discussion otherwise
j than in the spirit of christian kindness, nor TO
suffer preparaOn for the exercise, tonteriere with
C the regular duties of the Institution. But we do
! mean, that during hours expressly devoted to
c that object or during intervals of time uncon-
; sumed by other acquisitions, we hare ne ''9ht TO
select, and investigate in concert, or discuss, sub
/ ects Of our ocR choice.
The following propositions, which we believe to
D be selEevident, embOdy our views.
. Propositions. Every mar has a the right freely
y to investigate every subject submitted to his con
q sideration' He has the same right to conduct this
), investigation in concert ,oh others, provided 1t be
S done at such time and place as not to eneroach
e upon the rights of others We believe that these
I rights derived from man, that they are IN
separable from accountable agency, and maizena,
e BILE, and of course, are neither surrendered nor
S forfeited by membership in theological seminary
n Furthermore, we believe that to prohibit theolog-
+ ical students from peaoeably assembling Tor the
tinn Of I,nrnl LInnstinns In hours