Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-24

had no iron 6edstedd as an excuse for non-action
IN the cases referred to- because they had such an
article for all cases which they deemed immoral ;
and the fact that they had none for these
evidence conclusive that they, as a body, did not
regard the cases put, as immoral.
| This questioning, and the embarrassment it oc-
casioned the pastor, created much excitement
ll-teeliug among some of the members of the church
They claimed that it was uncourteous and unchrs.
tian towards the pastor and vet all candid persons
must have seen that the questions were put in a
kind and calm manner and could have created no
excitement at ALL if the pastor had been willing to
have impaired the information which he was well
able to give, and which every demand of Christian
courtesy required lie should give.
| During the afternoon, Mrs. Griihng went through
the congregation and solicited donations to the
Western and Michigan a. S. Societies. This is
always good test of the anti.slavery principle
among any people. Most of the audience respon-
ded literally. The principal deacon, however, de-
vcloped his prO-savery character, which, up to this
time had not been known to the church, and quite
probably not to himself He with much feeling,
and in very distinct though somewhat agitated
tones, declared he had nothing to give to pcople
who misapplied the sacred Scriptures Mrs. G.
asked him to be specific Well YOU misannlied
that passage in Isaiah, which represents Christ as
coming to open the prison doors to them that are
bound. Christ here had no allusion to slavery He
only refers to spiritual bondage. Mrs G. told him
she was willing to accept that exposition, and still
1t must apply cminently to the slave, for he is in
! the greatest spiritual bondage. Still the deacon
insisted that 1t was n pervCrSion of She sacred
word to apply it to slaves, lie also said that the
passage lnasmuch az you have done it to one of
these my little ones ye have done it to me-" which
Mrs. e. had quoted aud applied to the slave,
ought to have no application. lie said it was an
insult to Jesus to call the slaves his little ones
In the evening, Charles and Josephine Griifing
gave excellent speeches, and seemed to ha We the
full sympathy of the audience, which was very
large. Mrs. U. reclted the deacon's sayings of the
afternoon to the audience When she closed | re-
marked upon the fact that the church in Lima,
famed for its ant-slavery character had its COM
munion board spread monthly by this deacon who
denied to the slaves Of this land the application of
the most precious passages of the Bible. One of
the elderly ladies OF the congregation, and an es-
tcemed member Of the church, said in calm, but
decided and sorrowful tone, lie will never spread
it again for me- young man, and member of
the church, Arose and said that he regarded the
questions of Mr. G. which occasioned so much feel
ing, as entirely fair and offered in Christian spi
rt. He confessed his surprise at the embarrass-
ment OF the pastor; and attributed the whole diff
hculty to the fact that the pastor was unable to
give him such answers would justify the anti
slavery character of the church. AT the close of
the meetings. many Of the church members expires
sed deep sympathy with cause, and proved
their interest by subscribing for the anti-slavory
papers. l should mention in its place, that an el-
torI was ihade aItef the close OF the afternoon
meotng to close the house against us; but it found
little sympathy and failed. We appointed n meet
ing for Monday evening, and retired for repose at
a late hour. Monday evening we had another ex-
lcelent meeting and then gave the dear and faith
ful friends in Lima affectionate farewell hoping
to meet and greet them again, somewhere in our
Fathers great universe.
| More and more am | impressed that the anti
slavery cause is, in this age the true revelation Of
the characters of the religious and political bodies
! Of our land, and Of the characters of individual
men, by its potency, we may uLmistakably dis
Germ between the righteous and the wicked be-
tween him that serveh God and him that sorveth
him not ] should feel myself guilty of great de-
linquency, if / should fail to mention the name
and work of that noble and Christian man, Rev.
Samuel Bradford, of Brushy Prairie, who rested
from his truly Christian and arduous labors some
nine years since. Mr.. B. was in the truest sense
a Christian relormer. He early embraced the
Anti-Slavery Peace and Temperance causes, and
faithfully abored in them all till death removed
him to higher sphere of happiness, and may we
not believe of usefulness, to intelligent existences
He nobly refused all voluntary participation in a
| Ipro-slavery government, and all fellowship with q
Ipro-slavery church. He suffered much persecu-
ton from religious bgots, and for his unwavering
attachment to truth, like his great teacher was re-
garded an infdel, His moral footprints are
upon all this region. To all aborers in moral re-
form, in this place, he has been John the Bap-
tist, going before them, and preparing the way
for them. Mrs. B now in declining health, and a
son and daughter, still remain, and Eoby bear NJ
the banner which fell from the dying hand of the
husband and father Mr.. B. left his family but
little of sOrdid possessions; but he left them and
the world, wealth of example and influence, that
no amount of earthly possession can ever represent
i For God and Humanity,
LibcratOr.) A. Il. FOss.