Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-02-09
NOTES FROM THE LEcTURrNG FIELD.

NoIES FROM THE LECTURTNG FIELD.
Until within the las, three weeks. and since my
last letter from Wet Unity, [ have Teen engaged
in holding meetings in Williams Co.. Ohio; and
(mahIyl in Lenawce Go. Michigan.
For the most part, so far rs numbers are con-
cerned, | have had very good meetings. have
had not only a respectful and candid hearing, but
generally there has boon a very gratifying degree
OF attention manifested by those attending the
meetings, Indicating the increased, and incrcas-
ing interest, almost every where felt in the consid-
GRAFTON of the great question Of the day.
Slavery, as an ccR, is very generally condemned
by the people. Even tho most hunkerish of the
%hunkers, with now and then an exception, when
speaking OF the "yexed question:" have come to
adopt the stereotypcd expression, II IN as much
opposed to Siarcy as any Jo3y, BUT," &c.
Yet few there are, who regard slavery as n crime
the crime Of crimes; and Shareholders as among
the most guilty Of all criminals. While almost
all condemn the system Of chattel slavery as wrong
to that, by which, it is mainly upheld, and most
e%tfectualiy protected from our attacks, the Gov
eminent and the Religion eff the country-almost
as universal fellowship and support is given.
In proportion as we find Individuals, themselves
free from the bonds and letters Of the pro.slayery,
sectarian religious organizations, and political
parties, do we find them strong in sympathy, and
ready to act, for the crushed and perishing victims
Of American Despotism. In proportion as the peo-
pie OF a community are found popularity worship
ing God, praising and foolishly ~fattering Him in
their prayers, and with great effort, erecting splen-
did Meeting Houses in which to serve and glorify
HIM; IN the same proportion do we find a want of
interest and sympathy tor the cause of bleeding
amp suffering Humanity. While they are very
earnest to do a great deal for God, they are doing
nothing, or rather worse than nothing for his un-
fortunate children,-buying and selling, or aiding
to buy and sell them on the auction block
Surely, such a religion must be q curse to any
country, and is here a mighty bulwark in defence
and support Of the "sum of all villainies."
AT Pulaski, Williams county, Ohio, l had n very
good meeting, in company with Samuel D. Moore,
aud subsequently we hcli a series of meetings at
williams Centre. in the same county.
Our meetings at the Centre were held in the NJ.
f. Church, though as we went to attend the last
meeting, on Sunday afternoon we found the door
of entrance securely locked against us and the
congregation. assembled outside, notwiths,a nding
the house had been regularly engaged to us by a
majority CT the trustees, and by consent Of the
Minister, who promised to attend one or moro of
the meetings, but did not fulfil his promise. One
of the trustees, more in sympathy with the anti
slavery movement than the rest, as they had fairly
agreed to open the house fol our meetings, went
and demanded the key, and after a delay of about
an hour we were enabled to proceed with our
meeting. Finding that we did not follow their ex-
ample OF 'rebuking sin at q distance they were
thus disposed to prevent our having q hearing.
The meetings at this place were very well atten-
ded, and a good work for She cause, l trust, was
accomplished.
We were very kindly and Hospitality entertained
while here, in the family of A. P. Bowman, awell
known friend Of the slave, and Editor of the Truth
Seeker. Mr.. b. has contributed valuable aid to
the A. S. cause, and is Il clearsighted, and an un-
compromising Abolitionist, and friend OF other re-
forms.
Returning to Michigan, we had a very good
meeting at Morenci, a small village in Lenawee
county, located near the Ohio line. This meeting
was held in a church, which is mainly occupied by
Methodists, though built l believe by others, in
common with the members of that sect. A good
- A"AipSi VI Vel hItChlIhc llolcncLs WE'RE III AZ
tendance. The resident Methodist Minister, Elder
Barker, took some exceptions to my statements in
regard to his church, and even denied (either be-
cause of ignorance. or designing to misrepresent)
that their Discipline in anywise countenanced sla-
very. | found little difficulty. having their Disci-
pline at hand, in removing the objections if not
satisfactorily to the minister, evidently so to the au-
dience. At the close of the meeting a gentleman
offered to purchase and present to said minister,
who manifested u disposition anything but Christ
like copies of the 'ChHrch as IL is, 'and the BROTH
eyhood Of There's if he would read them, which
he Indignantly refused to do-preferring darkness
rathersthan light!
From Morcnci, we went to Fairfield. Al this
point, friend Moore left and returned to his home,
having travelled with me nearly three weeks, and
during that time rendered valuable aid in the pros
ecution of the god work.
While at Fairfield 1 held a series of meetings in
a new building, known as the Russell School House,
The meetings were very we'll attended by %intelli-
gent and interesting audiences. Near the School
House is II pleasant and ~commodious Meeting
Hduse, erected by contributions from persons liv-
ing in the neighborhood, of various opinions, for
the use of no particular denomination exclusively,
but for different kinds of meetings, rs might be
desired; but through some sort of piouS intrigue, 1t
is now mainly under the control Of three Hard
shell Baptist Deacons; one of whom, Dea. William
Tenbrook, distinguished himself as a servant of
the "sum of all villanies," by his personal vigil
lence to keep the Abolitionists from occupying the
Meeting House for their meetings, during the la
bors Of A. Il. Foss, c.. S. S. and Josephine Crit
fng, in that vicinity last winter. Another of the
two, Deacon Quick, attended my first lecture in
the School House,-the first meeting of the kind
he had attended-but with his quick sense of pro-
priety, he was SO much shocked las | was speaking
of the licentious character of slavery and slave
holders, that he attended NO more of the meetings,
and is said to have expressed very great thankful