Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-11-05
SPEECH OF MARY GREW.

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SPEECH OF MARY GREW.
The following sketch of speech made by Ma.
ry orew' at the late meeting of the Pa A. S. So
ciety' Is copied from the Antt-Slarery Stand
ard
Ihirty years have elapsed since the voice of I
prophet of God rang out on the air, calling th
nation to repentance, and deman ling the EN- ancipa
iion Of every American slave Thirty years
puring that period n generation have passed
away, WhlIe the great conflict then commenced
has Dee n earnestly carried on. At this point O
time natural and interesting question is, " ha
has been lccoml lished What has been won
Look back to the commencement. of this period
we see the nation slumSering over this great fact
OF slavery. vi those who were startled by the
prophets voice, some responded in anger, some in
scorn, andia few gathered around his uplfted
banner, and pledged ;hemselvee to work with him
for the abolition of American slavery. Little did
they then conceive Of the greatness of the work
before them little did they foresee that it would
extend through all these years. They saw tina,
they stood alone, opposed by mighty forces, but
they believed that the Church, as soon as her at
respond to their CALL and come to their help. And
none among them looked more confidently TO the
American Church for such aid than did he who
commenced this warfare, Some persons seem to
suppose that the early Aboltionists medtated a
fierce onslaught on tho Church. So far from
this they expected it to be found on the eide of
the slave They were in the Church, and or it ;
pastors, decons, elders, devout men and women,
whose most sacred associations clustered around
it. They knew it by the dear names of the
Church Of God, the Church Of Christ, and they be-
lievsdit would be faithful to humanity. Oh cold
ciirc of to-day, standing. calm spectator out
side of this great battlefield censuring the harsh
ness of Aboliionists owarts the Church, little do
yoat the tenacfty Of the sfssY With which
they clung to it, or the pain with which they
discovered that it was on the side Of the oppres.
sor; little do you know with what grief they learn.
ed the full meaning Of those bitter words, "If i,
had been an enemy, then could have borne it,
but it was thou, my own familiar friend, my spir-
tual guide, my acquaintance, with whom took
sweet counsel. and walked to the house Of God in
company" The fathers and mothers of our Israel
who have led our enterprise from that hour to
this, and their young coadjutors who have uDfal-
teringly toled by their side, can testify that it
was not until the American Church fully revealed
herself as in league with oppression, not until it
was clearly seen that slavery nestled under her al
tars, and was consecraed by her most sacred rites,
while to the expostuations and entreaties of the
friends of the slave, she gave, for all reply anger
'corn, and accommodation, that the Abolition
sts shook off the dust of their feet against her. and
lifted up the cry, Come out of her, my people,
hat ye be not partaker il her sins, and that ye
'eceive not Of her plaques"
Is this the whole answer to our question, What
las been accomplished? Have we nothing to
how but the work of an Ithurels spear2 A
comparison of the past with the present condition
f our country reveals degree of progress sufi-
lent to encourage the most despon ding heart, and
o strengthen the weakest hands. Thirty years
go the nation was silent on this subject it
night almost be said tina. no man cared for the
lave. Now there is not legislative body in the
and in which it is no: an exciting topic of discus
ion. 1t has entered into all our large ecclesias-
ical organizations it is debated in our lyceums,
q our streets, and by our fresides. 1t has divid-
the Methodist Church and though the Mesho-
list Church, North, can, perhaps, claim great
'erit on the ground of anti-savery character and
cton, it is something that she was willing, even,
} decree that her Bishops should not be slave.
olders. 1t has thoroughly disturbed the guilty
eace of the Presbyterian aud Baptist Churches,
nd, at last, has forced its entrance into that
.ronghold of conservatism the New York Episco-
al Convention. IL is the one great question of I
ur political parties those parties which once
,orned to notice it. Our movement has created
large political party and though, perhaps, we
re not very proud of this work of our hands, c
hen we consider the low type Of its ant-slavery q
,aracter, still it is most important and valuable
an evidence of progress.
But an arduous work is still before US; the J
ork Of carrying on the half-fnished moral edu-
ltion Of this people. until the emancipation Of
ur millions of slaves shall be accomplished.
hat are you going to do respecting it Are J
sitting STILL with folded hands, waiting to see
hat the Abolitionis,s will doi Is there any Is
eater responsibility resting upon them than on t
ourselves to do this work? 1t is your country b
hch is to be redeemed from this great sin. Obi n
mister, lawyer, merchant, mechanic, farmer 8
father, mother, husband, wfe-has the slave
" stronger claim upon us than he has upon your L
ne slave is man, and has mans ciaim on you c
: sympathy and succor. The slave is a father d
other, husband wife. and as ruch, appeals to RI
u for help. What does the Abolitionists own to e
m that you do not? In his name we ask you 10 e
me to his help, and so to labor in his behalf !,
at of each OF you II shall one day be said, For b
Q emancipation Of millions Of slaves, for tbs Il
demption of thy country, for the bringing Of the
rid into harmony with God, thou hast done b
lat thou couldst. --'' -ft- ''' 17'e'n''"