Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-09-05
BIBLE ARGUMENT FOR SLAVERY.

1t has surprised many that such large numbers
Of shareholders should have changed, SO radically,
their ground within the last twenty-five years
Previous to this time, the system vt slavery was
generally admitted, by Southern men, as an un-
natural, abnormal, undesirable state Of things, to
be remedied rs soon rs circumstances would al.
low. NOtc, it il very generally claimed to be q
system justified by sound policy aud right reason
endorsed by conscience, sanctioned by the Bible,
and worthy of n permanent existence and general
appreciation. llew has this great change in pub
lie sentiment at the South been brought about 2
Perhaps we can throw some light on this subject.
We will make the effort.
In the year 1888, the Presbytory of Chilicothe,
Ohio, adopted a strong paper, reprobating the sys.
TEN of slavery, and setting forth its intrinsic, in
herent and inexcusable wrongs. y eopy was cent
to the stated Clerk of the Sy,od of Mississippi,
embracing at that time the States of Mississippi,
Louisiana, and South Alabama. AT the meeting
of the Synod in the fall of 1891, at Port Gibson.
in the church of which Rev, ZebuIon Butlor, ID. ID.
was then and still is pastor, Rev. James Smiley
preached the opening sermon, in which be argued
the righteousness of slavery from the Biblo. The
sermon was strongly condemned by the leading
members Of the synod, as containing false and I'M
scriptural views, Many intelligent men belonging
to the congregation, who were stockholders, JOINED
in expressions of condemnation Of the new doctrine.
Some went so far as to say, that MIR. Smiley ought
not be permitted to preach. The same sermon
was preached u lew Weeks nltefNOrUS Nv Oaklhtu
College, in the church of which Rev. DR.. Chamber
lin, the President of the College, was the stated
supply. DR.. Chamberlin expressed his strong dis
sent to the vie VS. advanced, and many in the con-
g~regation made up chiefly Of wealthy painters,
were greatly displeased. Mr.. Daniels, owner OF
several hundred slaves, said to DR.. Chamberlin at
the door-"We hold you responsible for what
comes from that pulpit-you are placed there to
guard it-why do you permit such sentiments to
be preached ? We are all anxious enough to get
plantations and negroes, without slandering the
Holy Ghost by claiming that the Bible ~justiies
slavery! !"
This was the beginning of Bible slavery in this
country. Tho year after, DR.. Smiley ~ampliied his
sermon into a book, now famous as Smiley on
Slavery" When his book was frat published, his
brethren of the Mississippi Synod were dissatisfied
with it, and gave it no countenance, The leading
bookseller in Natchez refused to receive it on sale
and Mr.. Smiley excited some odlum against hin
by calling him an abolitionist. a copy of the
book found its way to the reading room of a prom
inent hotel in New Orleans. Several persons
were discussing its merits, when one remarked
that sit was singular that q man Of Mr.. Smiley's
good sense and scholarship could NOT see that he
was wrong" A shrewd lawyer sitting by, replied
that "Mr. Smiley could not see his error. because
he had tioenty.fre thousand dollars lying upon each
eye-lid." Mr.. Smiley, in the early part of his
ministry, was strongly opposed to slavery. Al
the age cf SO he lost his wife. By q second mar
riage he came into possession of slave property
For months he was exceedingly disturbed by the
possession of this property. He said TO a clerical
friend that the matter distressed him exceedingly.
At length he mastered his ~scruples, and arrived a
the conclusion iha. slavery is a divine institution.
To DR.. Smiley belongs the honor, CT the dishonor
of first endorsing and dentending American sa
very from the Bible. Rev. DIR. Fuller. an eminent
Baptist clergyman then of Charleston, South Car
olina, next fol~lowed-then DR.. VIM, Winans, OF
tLA osl~l -l,.-l gLoa .rI ,,T nm IAa- ali
ticians chimed in, and made the welkiu ring with
the "God-acdrd side" Of slavery.
We think these facts should be preserved for fu
ture reference, and hence we have taken somt
pains to get them in an accurate and reliable form
Boston 1rareler.