Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-02-11
A LACK OF PROGRESS.

LACK OF PROGRESS.
We attended the Christian Anti-Slavery Conven-
ton Of this place, and listened to ito discussions
with feelings Of pain and sadness. 1t is now more
than ten years since we attended a Convention
called by that name, and we looked forward 10 this,
as the traveller looks for the milestone that marks
the distance on his weary way, and with hope ia
its results. 1t seemed as though the time had full.
ly come for ~professed Christians to dives, them.
selves of their ecclesiastical alliance with slavery.
aud to make slaveholding a test of Christian char.
acter and communion. We were aware that ma.
ny membersi in the religious denomination of Salem
wero conscious of individn nal responsibility and
guilt in supporting slaveholdirg churches, and
were willing to believe that ministers as vol 40
members, would in this rising tide of anti-slavery
come forth with e new and living Baptism for the
slaves deliverance, as well as for the regeneration
of the church. We hoped that instead of stretch.
ing their mantle of charity over the "sum Of oil
villanies." they would search their Jerusalem a.
with lighted candles, and leave no stone unturnsd
that concealed a hidden truth.
We believed that the Observance of the practiosl
teachings of Christ should constitute tho Christians.
ity of this age in this meridian; that needless Ger.
emonies which, like gossamer matles are thrown
over otherwise apparent deformities to shield them
from notice-should he taken simply for what
they are worth ; and we went to the Convention
with the testimony of a good conscience toward
God and man, earnestly desiring to utter our sol
emn protest against the objectionable wickedness
of enslaving men, women and children, and our
conviction of duty regarding it. We remembered
that ten years ago, when comparative darkness
hung over Cbristendom, SlaUeholding Christians
were tolerated, and anti Slavery he, etics
nicated from fellowship and participation in suck
Conventions. But that proves nothing against
the recent gathering, for we all remember that
within twenty-five years, the Bottle end tho Bi.
BILE were alike perquisites of the preachers, 90 was
Powder and Prayers Of the patriot. Do We see
this now 2
The tone and spirit Of the Resolutions as report.
ed BY the Business Committee, were like those
passed BY the pro-slavery churches of the North
from 1874 to '4S. or before the Federal edict that
~agitation on the subject of slavery must cease
They were not what the slave and his friends ask
ed, yet moro, we fear, than tho most prudent lead.
es of the Convention are willing practically to en-.
dorse. In the discussion of the lst resolution, some
of the more active members Of the Convention
expressed their entire approval of it's sentiments,
and the application of them to slaveholding relig-
ious denominations These have for q long time
been connected With slaveholding churches, utter.
ing their earnest protest against manstealors,
yet extending to them their Christian fellowship
and communion, and thus becoming actual partic.
ipators in the gull. of slaveholdipg. Aud this was
their highest standard oil anti-slavery action-their
embodiment of religious influence ; the condemns.
ton of slaveholdiog for gain. We cannot IN.
derstand how any one with an enlightened con.
science can occupy such a position, and not DO cul.
pable. The resolution, however, as amended, ex-
pressly condemns al! church fellowship with slave.
holders and it remains to be seen whether the
members of the Convention IRE ready to act Out
what they declared it to be the duty of all CAris.
tians 10 do.
In our connection with a pro.slavery church, We
arrived at q point, where from the voice Of God in
the deep sympathios and in tho inspirations Of our
own soul, as well as from his written word, ws
were commanded to Come out of her, tha, 70 b
not partakers Of her sin, ani that 20 receive not
of her plaques" for she had made merchandise
Of the bodies and souls Of men," We listened.
and obeyed and if to-day we have no confidence
in the nominal christianity Of the land, il 10 NOT
that our relations to God and the slave are not now
more innocent ard just than they we're, or that
we believe the principles of Jesus less true and
practicable than we then die, but because the 70.
ligion Of the land demonstrates the absence Of
either the power or the will to cast out from its
church organizations, "the sum Of oil villainiss,"
and to crush whatever and whoever interfsres with
the establishment of true Christianity the faith
erhood of God, and the brotherhood of Man.
q.