Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-10-30

'huicate' Is an extended discussion, in fine tone,
OF civil rights aud political obligations, Though
to Its dark catalogue of social crimes such as
bribery, litigation, forgery, intemperance. lewd
ness, stealing. robbery, murder, insurrecton,
treason, and the like, the writer had ventured to
add sforery, one Of the darkest of all, the page
could no; have passed the Tract Society's press
without an erasure. If ,he discussion of all other
moral question is an appropriate part of its 'spir-
itual work. why should this be made an excep-
tion2
Tried by Scripture precepts and examples what
becomes of the theory that the direct and pungent
application Of the Gospel TO social sins is per-
version of its spiritual mission In what part Of
the sacred oraces does such suggestion find any
countenance? Did the greatest of human reIormers
remarkable alike in his life and death, who spent
his days in the wilderness and fell victim to the
intrgnes of court compromise his high Office as
The herald Of spiritual kingdom and bring his
honoied and successful ministry to a rash and
premature end, when in preaching the doctrine of
repontance-tbat great evangelical doctrine-to
the multitude he paused to denounce the corrup
ton Of the ruler, and thunder in the ear of
guilty power the unwecome message, 1t is not
lawful for thee to have her? If it be 20, then
this new distinction which the Tract Administra
tion are seeking to introduce into our Christian
ethics, is scriptural and valid otherwise, it is
false
The insuperable objection to the issue by the
Society Of this similar tract is found in
none of the reasons which have now been con-
sidered. The true reason has been frankly and
officially stated in another place it is an appre-
henson of the Committee that publications on
this topic, however 2erate and truthful, would
'paralyze one whole side OF the Institution AS
if anything less than paralysi had fastened upon
the very heart of Society organized to promote
the interests of vital godliness and sound morali
ty' and not free to publish Gods whole testimony
against sin As if any thing could be left, worth
saving, in either side of an Institution, which
had purchased the liberty of denouncing social
dancing drowsiness in church, and extravagance
in dress, by guarded silence respecting the
guilt Of oppression in land fearfuly cursed with
slavery
1t is now decided that Gods Word, pure and
simple, if rrayed specifically against this giant
evil, cannot reach it through this channel-which
had been previously closed to every other method
of assailing it. On this great opprobrium of our
Christian civilization The American Tract Society
is mute it refuses to opeE its mouth for the dumb;
il dare not rebuke the oppressor in Gods name.
With this decision the last hone of churches that
have clung to it az cherished agent in diffusng
Gospel truth in its purity and power, will expire
in sadness. lfthey would preserve the integrity
of a faith, seamless the vesture of Jesus, they
must not come down to the low level Of this policy,
and cannot sustain this Institution in its present
moral position. The Gospel which it issues is not
the Gospel, aud its messages vii! come in word
only and not in power--will come without author
ity and go without respect. Those who hold that
the reJuke Of sIn of all SIM and ESPECIALLY Of sin
which is rampant and defiant is an essential ele
ment of vital godliness and sound morality and
who also regard our American Slavery as exceed
ingly sinful and abhorrent to God, cannot without
abandonment Of principal aid this Society in prop
aga.ing a Christianity. out Of which the SAVIOR Of
manliness, and godliness mt less has thus do.
parted, and which with the loss of this vital NOR.
al quality can Only be an offence to heaven AT
this mournful cost have its managers secured an
opening for the circulation of the Gospel at the
SOUTH The Gospel Who can recognize, in
this shrivelle6 and nerveless agency, the suhime
functions with which inspired Prophecy commits
stoned AMI heralded the glorious Author of the
Gospel, and with which, as with a robe of divin'
ity, he publicly invested The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me. because he hath anointed me to
preach the Gospel to the poor. he hath sent me to
heal the broken.heartcd, to preach deliverance to
the captives, and recovering Of sight to the Llni-
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and
the day of vengeance Of our God S. w.