VOLUME 1.
Butler County Agricultuarl Society,
TO BE H*LD IN BL'TLER, ON
The 4th and sth of October, 1864.
The Entry Books will be opened on the
] sth day of September, and continue open
until the 4th day of October, at 10 o'-
clock, a. m., atwhish time they will posi
tively be closed.
A<l iniKNlon to I'uc <;rounds.
Admission to the Grounds to be as fol
lows, to wit:
Membership and competitors for premi
ums, 81 00
Single membership during the Fair, _ 35
Single Admission,
Children under 10 years old, 10
PLOWING MATCH.
A Plowing Match is to take place on
the first day of the Fair, at 3 o'clock, p. m.
CLASS -'l. Grain, Clover, <fr.
Best 2 acres or more ot white wheat $4 00
Second best " " " - 00
best 3 acres or more of rel wheat, 200 j
second best " " 1 00
best 2 acres or more of medit. wheat, 2 00
second best " " " 1 00
best 2 acres ot more of rye, 2 00
second best " " " 1 00
best 2 acres or more of corn, 2 00
second best " ' "1 00
best 2 acres or more of oats, 2 00
second best " " " 1 00
best 2 acres or more of barley, 2 00
second best " ..." 1 00
best 2 acres or more of buckwheat, 2 00
Becond best " " " 1 00
best 2 acres or more of bay, 2 00
second best . " " " 1 00
best 2 acres or more of clover, 2 00
second best " " " 1 00
best j acre of potatoes, 2 00
second best " " " 1 "0
best J acre of broom corn, 1 00
best J acre of flaxseed, 2 00 j
best j acre of beans, 1 00
best { acre ot onions, 1 00 ,
Charles M Clung, Concord tp., Will-|
iam. Liudscy, Summit tp.. Adam Detrick, j
Connoqueiie-sing tp., ('miimittee.
The following arc the rules under which |
competitors t'.ir premiums in the above
class must be j|nvero»ed :
In. To have the grounds accurately
measured bv not less than two disinterest
c I persons, whose statements must be ve
rified by affidavit. A statement of the
kind and condition of the soil, the variety ;
aud quality of the seed planted or sown,
and the uiode and expcu>e.»l cultivation
must be presented in writing before a pre
mium will be awaited.
2d. Tho lie amount of roots, grain I
or L.THSS produce 1 on the amount of lan 1
specified, must be measured or wcigued ;
mm crops divested of their tops and esti
mated by their weight—sixty pounds to
be considered a bushel—and grain crops ;
to be we gheil or measured
the IHual standard.
CLASS ll—Seeds, Vegetables, Fruit.
and Flowers.
Best bushel of white wheat, SI 01) j
second best " " -'>o
be it bushel of red wheat, 1 00 j
second best " " 50
best bushel of mediterranean wheat, 1 Ot)
second best " " " 50
best bushel of corn in the ear, 50
best bushel of oats, 50
best bushel of buckwheat, 50
best bushel of barley, 50
best bushel of flaxseed, 50
Jiest bushel of timothy seed, 50
best bushel of k.dil rabbi, 50
best bushel of stowell evergreen, 50
best bushel of castor beans, 50
host bushel of sow beans, !)0
best bushel of millet seed, 50
best bushel of hungarinn grass seed. 'SO
best bushel of potatoes, 50
best bushel of onions, 50
best bushel of turnips, 50
best bushel of rutabaga turnips, 50
best bushel of tomatoes, 50
best, bushel of parsnips, 50
best bushel of carrots, 50
best bushel of beets, 50
& best bushel of sweet potatoes, 50
best bushel of summer apples, 50
best bushel of blue stem wheat, 1 00
best bushel of winter apples, 50
best bushel of pears, 50
best bushel of apples of any kind, 50
best bushel of peaches, 50
best bushel of quinces, 50
best half dozen ot cabbage heads, 50
best half dozen of comuiou pumkius, 50
best half dozen sweet " 50
best half dozen of squashes, 50
best specimen of grapes, 50
best display, variety aud quality of
flowers, 1 00
best floral display of living plants, 1 00
best floral ornament, 50
best pair of boquets, "0
best arranged basket of flowers, 50
best display of cucumbers, o0
/ best display of radishes, 50'
best display of red peppers, 50
best display and greatest variety of
apples, 1 00
best water uiellons, 50
best inusk " 50
best citrons, 50
John Coulter, Concord tp., Reuben
Slianor, Muddycreek tp., David iLogan.
Jcfforson tp., M.masses Gillespie, Done
gal tp., John C. .Moore, Centre tp., and
Jxtnesl) . Lytle, Lancaster township, Com
m tt e.
Class C.— Stallions, Trotters, and Pacers.
Best blooded St allionovcr 4 yr's Sls 00
2d best " " " " 10 00
best " " " 8 years 500
2d best " " " " 200
best " " " 2 years 300
2d best " " " " 1 50
best common " " 4 years 500
best " " " 3 years 300
best " " " 2 years 200
best draught " * " 4 years 500
AMERICAN CITIZEN.
2d best " " " " 200
best trotting stallion-of any age, 400
best racking or pacing stallion of*any
age, 4 00
best and fastest trotting horse or
mare, ' 400
second best " " 2 00
best and fastest racking or pacing
horse or mare, 4 00
second best " " 2 00
W O. Brackenridge, T nhn Frazier, bor
ough Butler, Henry Kohluieyer, Alle
gheny tp., Milton Henry, bor. of Zelie
uople, and Jolin Iv. Kennedy, Connoque
nessing tp.
Class I).— llorsei>, Mure*. Colts <f - Mutes.
Best pair heavy draught horses or
njarcs, 85 00
2.1 best " " " 2 00
best pair light draught horses or
mares, 4 00
2d best " " " 2 00
best pair matched carriage horses or
mares 4 00
24 best " " " 2 00
best pair matched carriage mules, 300
best single buggy horse or mare, 200
2d best " • " " 100
best saddle horse or mare, 2 00
2d best" « " 1 00
best brood marc with a colt, 5 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best gelding, 4 00
2d best" 2 00
best three year old horse, 3 00
2d best" " "• ISO
best " mare 3 00
best horse colt 2 years old 2 00
2d best" " " 100
best horse colt 1 year old, 1 SO
2.1 best" " " 100
best horse colt, (spring,) 1 00
best mare colt 2 years old, 2 00
2d best" « " 100
best mare colt 1 year old, 1 50
2d best" " " 100
best marc colt, (spring,) 1 00
best jack 2 00
2d best 1 00
bast jennet, • 2 00
2d best" 100
best pair of mules over 3 years old, 3 00
2.1 best" " 100
best, mule colt, (spring,) 1 00
David Kennedy, .Muddycreek, town
ship, .Jacob lleibcr, Summit tp., Cornmit
f'/ass K.— Blooded mill Grade ('aIII-.
Best durliam bull 3 years old, So 00
2.1 best" " " 3 00
bast durliam bull 2 years old, 4 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best diirham bull 1 year old, 3 00 j
2.1 best" •' 2 00
best durliam bull calf, 2 00
2d best" " " 1 00
best durliam cow 3 years old, 5 00
2d best" " " 3 00
best durliam cow 2 years old, 4 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best durliam cow 1 year old, 3 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best durliam heifer calf, 2 00
2d best" " '• 1 00
Devonshire, and oilier blooded cattle, as
above.
Best grade bull 3 years old, 4 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best grade bull 2 years old, 3 00
2d best" " 1 50
best grade bull 1 year old, 2 00
second best grade bull one year old, 1 00
best grade bull calf, 2 00
2nd best" > " 100
best grade cow 3 years old, 4 00
2d best " " " 2 00
best grade cow 2 years old, 3 00
2d best " " " 1 50
best grade cow 1 year old, 2 00
2d best » " " 100
best grade licifei calf, 2 00
2d best " " " 1 00
best pair twin calves of any kind, 100
Henry Buhl, Forward tp., Matthew
Greer, Buffalo tp., James Campbell, boro.
Butler, Joseph Swartz, Jackson tp., \\ in.
Wyble, Pecn, tp., Committee.
Class F.—Native cattle <f- i corking o.ren.
Best native bull 3 years old, 3 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best native bull 2 years old, 2 50
2d best" " " 1 50
best native bull 1 year old, 2 00
2d best" « » 1 00
best native bull calf, 1 00
best native now#! years old, 3 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best native cow 2 years old, 2 00
2d best" " " 100
best native cow 1 year old, 1 50
2d best" " » 100
best native heifer calf, 1 00
best yoke of oxeu 4 years old, 4 00
2d best" " " 2 00
best yoke of oxen 3 years old, 3 00
2d Dtest"' " " 1 50
best yoke of oxen 2 years old, 2 00
2d best" " " . 1 00
largest and best train of oxen, over
4 years old, from any one town
ship, not less than 12 pairs
hitched, 15 00
Hon. Samuel Marshall, Adauis tp.. Jno.
llet»lcgesßcr, Winfield, Win. Dick, Frank
lin tp.. George Caruahan, l'eun tp., and j
John Wigton, Comniittee.
Class V.— Slicep and Wool.
Best Spanish merino buck, $5 00
2d best •• " " 2 00
best saxon buck, 3 00
2d best" " " I 50
best l'rench merino buck, 3 00
2d best" " " 1 50
best leiccster buck, 2 00
best southdown buck, 2 O0
best common buck, 2 00
best 5 Spanish merino ewes, 5 00
2d best" " " ~'oo
best 5 saxon ewes, 3 00
2d best " " " 1 50
best 5 l'rench merino ewes, 3 00
2d best" " " 1 50
best 5 loicester ewes, 2 00
best 5 southdown ewes, 2 00
best 5 common ewes, 2 00
best 5 Spanish buck lambs, 6 00
"Let us have Faith that Right makes Might; and in that Faith let us, to the end,dare to do our duty as we understand it"- A - Ltwcoi,*.
BUTLER, BUTLER COUNTY, PA., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER T, 186+.
best 5 saxon buck lambs, 2 00
best 5 french buck lambs, 2 00
best 5 Spanish ewe lambs, 5 00
best 5 saxon ewe lambs 2 00
best 5 french ewe lambs, 2 00
best 3 fleeces fine wool, 1 00
Abdel C. Martin, Penn tp., T. Levis,
boro. I'ortersville, Robert Stevenson. Sunf
mit tp., John C. McN'eese, Worth tp.,
John Neyman, Oakland tp., Committee.
CLASS ll. — Stcine:
Best boar over 1 year old, SI 00
2d do " " 200
best boar nii; from oto 12 months
old, 2 00
2d best" " 1 00
best and fattest barrow, 2 00
2d best " 1 00
best brood sow, 4 00
2d best" " 2 00
best litter of pig>' not less than 5, 200
2d best" " 1 00
Newton Maxwell, Butler tp., Geo. Kei
ber. boro. Butler, Andrew Albert, Centre
tp., Committee.
Class ./. Poultry and Dairy Products.
Best pair of turkeys, 1 00
do pair of ducks, do
do pair of geese, do
do pair of black Spanish chickens, do
do pair of brama pootra chickena, do
do pair of cross breed chickens, do
do pair cochin china chickens, do
do- pair dorking chickens, do
do pair shanghia chickens, do
do do bantam chickens, do
do pair poland chickens, do 1
do pair game chickens, do
do pair sprucy chickens, do
"do 5 pounds of butter, 2 00
second best q pounds of butter, 1 00
best 5 pounds of honey, do
do 5 pounds of maple sugar, do
do 10 lbs of bread, do
do 3 loaves of bread, do
do choose, not less than 10 pounds, do
do gallon of apple butter, do
do gallon of peach butter, do
do quart ot sugar cane molasses, do
do quart of maple molasses, do
do six bottles of tomatoes, do
do scap or palace of bees, 2 00
do exhibit of 3 kinds of pickels, 100
do exhibit of preserved fruit, do
do cured ham and manner of curing do
do lot of light cakes, 50
do pound cake, 50
Win. Campbell, boro. Butler, Sol. Mo
ser, Oakland tp., Andrew McCuilongh,
boro. Pm-pect, Mrs. Zachariah Phillips,
Oakland tp., Committee.
Class A*.— Agricultural Implements.
I Best harrow, 82 00
best fanning mill, do.
do corn shelter, do.
do horse rake, . do.
do corn cultivator, 1 00
do grain cradle, do
do half-dozen hay or manure forks, do
do reaping and mowing machine, 3 00
do threshingandcleaningmachine,2 00
do threshing machine, do.
do straw cutter, 1 00
do half-dozen hoes, do.
do half—dozen hay rakes, do.
do field roller, do.
do stump extractor, do.
do two-horse plow, do.
do one-horse plow, do.
do seed drill, 2 00
do Corn Planter, 1 00
Joseph Messiek, Clearfield township,
Cowan Middlesex tp., 'I bos. Greer, Jef
ferson tp., John Martin Conncqucnessing
tp., A. I>. Tinker, Butler tp., Committee.
Class L. — Mechanical Arts..
Bcst'two horse wagon, S3 00
best two horse carriage, 8 00
best one horse top buggy, 2 00
best one horse open buggy, 2 00
best sulky, 2 00
best wheelbarrow, 1 00
best double set wagon harness, 2 00
best double set carriage harness, 3 00
best single set carriage harness, 2 00
best lady's saddle, 1 00
best man's saddle, 1 00
best bridle and martingale, 1 00
best calf skin, 1 00
best side of harness leather, 1 00
best side of upper leather, 1 00
best side of kip leather, 1 00
best assortment of castings, 2 00
best cook stove, 2 00
best parlor stove, 1 00
best common stove, 1 00
best photograph, 1 00
best ambrotype, . 1 00
be-t pair of mens' boots, 1 00
best pair of mens' shoes, 1 00
best pair of lady's boots, 1 00
best pair of lady's shoes, 1 00
best gent's coat, pants and vest, 3 00
best rocking chair, 1 00
best set of chairs, 1 00
best dressing bureau, 3 00
best stone ware, 1 00
hest earthen ware, 1 00
best tin ware, 1 00
best rifle gun, 1 00
best blacksmith work, 1 00
best marble work. 1 00
best penmanship. 1 00
best thousand oak shingles, 1 00
best leather trunk, 1 00
best steaui engine, 2 00
best book printing, 1 00
best card printing, 1 00
best portrait painting, 1 00
best ti recian oil printing, 100
best specimen of graining, 1 00
best clothes horse, 1 00
best hive or palace for bees, 1 00
best mattock, 1 00
best washing machine, 1 00
best dog power for churn, ] 00
best display of cigars aud tobacco. 100
Henry Miller, l'eun tp.. John Hockcn
berrry, Ceutievillc boro., Thomas Layton,
Allegheny tp., A. I). Wier Buffalo tp., and
Andrew Grovy, Comniittee.
CUiss M.—Domestic and other Manufac
tures.
Best 10 yards of cassiuiere, $2 00
" " " cloth, 200
" " " sattinct, 100
" " " barred flannel, 100
« " o raj; carpet, 100
" " " woolen carpet, 100
" " " flax liuuen, 100
" pair of blankets, 1 00
" pa r of coverletts, 1 00
" pair of gent's woolen hose, 50
" pair of lady's woolen hose, 50
" pair of gent's woolen mittens, 50
" 5 pounds of woolen yarn, 1 00
" soft hut, 1 00
" barrel of wheat flour. 2 00
" half-dozen linnen bags, 1 00
" linnen thread, 50
pair of linnen table cloths. 100
James Notris, Clinton township, 11 J.
Boggs, Forward township, B F. (jlenn,
Brady township, Hon. James Kerr, Har
risvilte borough, and Joseph Cummins,
Marion tp.', < ommittee.
Class A r .— : Ornamental and Needle Work.
Best gent's shirt, SI 00
" lady's bonnet, ■■■ 2 00
" lady's head dress, 1 00
" lady's collar, 1 00
" ornamental work, 1 00
" table cover, 1 00
'• Btahd cover,
" ottoman cove r , 1 00
" patch work, 1 00
" patch work quilt, quilting to be
considered 2 00
2d best " " " " 1 00
Best crotchet worV, 1 00
" cruel work, 1 00
" artificial flowers, in wag, I 00
" artificial fruits, in wax, 1 00
" embroidery on silk, 1 00
" embroidery on lace, 1 00
" embroidery on muslin, 1 00
" embroidered lamp mat, 1 00
" embroidered slippers, 1 00
" fancy chair work, 100
" ornamented shell work, 1 00
'• ornamented leather work, 1 00
" ornamented pillow-slip, 1 00
" fancy basket, 1 00
" pair worked under-sleeves. 1 00
" tidy, 1 00
" bcil spread, 1 00
" cradle quilt, 1 00
J. C- Rcdick, borough Butler, Andrew
W. McCuilongh, borough Prospect, Oevt
rude Lyon, Middlesex tp., Maggie Camp
bell, borough Butler, Eliza Moser, Oak
land tp., Klla Cunningham, boro. Butler,
Committee.
CLASS O.—PLOWING MATCH.
Best plowing } acre with horses or
muless4 00
second best " " " 3 00
third host " " " 2 00
best plowing ] acre with oxen, 3 00
second best " " '• 200
The plowing match to take place on the
first day ot the fair at 3 o'clock, p. m.
S. G. Meals, Washington tp., Win. C.
Campbell, Fairview tp., Committee.
DISCRETIONARV COMMITTEE.
Charles Cochran. Concord tp., A. D.
Wier, Buffalo tp.. Hon. James Mitchell,
Summit p., Gen. John N. Purviance, But
ler borough, Daniel O'Donnel Clearfield
township.
GRAND MARSHAL.
HENRY Bl'llL, Esq., Forward tp.
CATTLE MARSHAL
MILTON MAXWELL, Butler towns'p.
MARSHAL FOR SHEL'.P AND SWINE.
JACOB WAL EH, Butler township.'
Itl bl-S AM» HKUILATIO.XN.
We invito the attention of the public to
our premium list. It has been revised
with great care, and with direct reference
to the liberal encouragement of all classes
of industry and commendable enterprise.
Look over the list at your leasure j note
the premium you wish to draw and see to
it that some of your neighbors don't go
ahead of you.
BAN J OF MUSIC.
A good band of music will occupy a
prominent stand on the grounds during
the fair.
THE ADDRESS.
An address from some distinguished
speaker and friend of Agriculture may be
expected.
-*■ ■:^B IIDIIW.
Each member of the society will be fur
nished on the payment of the annual fee
of one. dollar, with a certificate of mem
bership. This certificate will give* the
person whose name is written thereon, to
gether with his family accompanying him,
free access to the grounds during the fair.
These certificates can be procured from
the President, Vice Presidents, Secreta
ry and Treasurer. Single membership
tickets, which will admit one person dur
ing ti e fair, thirty-five cents.
m' ■**» •
will be furnished with single tickets of
admission at any of the ticket offices foi
twenty cents. Children under ten years
old, ten cents. These tickets must be de
livered to the gate keeper as you pass in.
DIRECTIONSTO COMPETITORS.
Competitors are requested to enter all
articles for exhibition in the Secretary's
books on cr before the first dayof the fair.
No article will be entered after 10 o'clock,
on the second day. Cards will be given
to each competitor, which must be attach
ed to the animator article you may wish to
exhibit.
A committee will direct you as to the
location aud arrangement of anything you
may have to exhibit.
There is an abundance of water conve
nient to the grounds—hay will be furn
ished free of charge—otherfeed to be pro
vided by tho ownereof stock.
Rules and Instructions for Judges.
Ist. You are respectfully requested to
report yourselves to the managers' tent on
the first day of the fair if possible, and in
no event later than 10 o'clock of the sec
ond day.
2d. At 10 o'clock of the second day
your names will be culled at the managers'
tent, and all vacancies will then be filled.
3d: You will receive your class books
and enter upon the discharge of your du
ties immediately. The class books will
refer you to the number affixed to the dif
fereut animals or articles submitted for
your examination. In these TOoks you
will also T>rite out your report.
4th. You will not be permitted to serve
on a Committee in any class iu which you
may be competing for a premium.
sth. \'ou will in no. case where there
is no competition, award premiums to ar
ticles or animals that are not meritorious.
Oih. Pay no attention to animals or
articles that have not a numbered card
and class attached.
7th. You will take into consideration
the symmetry, early maturing, sire, age,
feeding, and other circumstances connect
ed with the animal you may judge, but
give no encouragement to over-feeding.
Bth. A majority of the members on
each Committee will constitute a quorum.
9th. Permit no persons to interfere
with your examinations or be present at
your deliberations.
10th. Each mertiber of the Board of
Managers will have the supervision of n
particular department on the irremi'hi*—
and to this member you will apply for any
instruction or information you may want.
GENERAL RULES.
Ist. Members of the society must pay
the sum of one dollar annually on or be
fore the first day of the fair.
2d. Competitors for premiums must
be members of the society.
3d. All animals or articles placed in
competition for premiums must be owned
iu the county by persons offering the same,
or by members oftheir family under twen
ty years of age.
4th. Products of the soil or manufac
tured articles must be produced or manu
factured in the county.
stb." Members of the society will be
entitled to exhibit any number of animals
or articles in any class; but in case tho
same article is entered to compote in more
than one class, twenty-five cents addition
al will be charged for each entry after the
first.
oth. Animals or articles notwithstand
ing they may be exhibited in more thau
one class, can draw but one premium.
7th. Exhibitors are required to have
their animals or articles entered on the
books at the Secretary's office, and arran
ged in their proper places on the first day
of the fair.
Bth. On the entry of animals or arti
cles cards wil bo furnished by the Secre
tary with the number and class as enter
ed at, the office, which must be attached
to the animals or artic cs, otherwise tho
judges will pay no attention to them.
9th. Competitors must exhibit to the
Secretary certificates of membership be
fore he will make any entry for competi
tion.
10th. Stock of all kinds entered for
competition must remain in the stalls un
til called for by the marshal.
11th. Premiums must be called for
within three months aftcrthe fair or they
will be forfeited to the society.
12th. Tho Board of Managers will
take every precaution in their power for
the safety of the stock and articles on ex
hibition, but w ill not be responsible for
any loss or damage that may occur.
13th. Intoxicatiingdrinksof all kinds
are strictly prohibited on the fair grounds.
14th. Disorderly conduct of every
kind is forbidden; those indulging there
in will forfeit their right to remain longer
on the fair grouuds and will be promptly
ejected.
15th. No person will be permitted to
engage in any kind of business on the
fair grounds without a written permit from
the Secretary and Treasurer.
10th. No carriages, buggies, sulkeys.
wagons or other vehicles will be admitted
on tho fair grounds during the exhibition,
except those entered for premiums.
Order of IrriUigciiienfs.
FIRST DAY. —General preparations,en
tries and arrangement of animals and ar
ticles ; also plowing match at 3 o'clok, p.
m.
SECOND DAY.—General exhibition;
examination of blooded stock #nd fast trot
ting and pacing hordes; address, and re
port of judges.
THOMAS McNEES, President.
THOMAS ROBINSON, Scc'y. pro tem.
11. C. MCABOY, Treasurer.
Rebel Atroc ties.
War, at best, is repulsive, even iu its
mildest form, it is cruel and revolting. It
destroys humane life, it obliterates all
seiiiic of personal rights, tramples upon
the laws of property, and annihilates the
ordinary feelings of humanity. On the
part of the United States this war has
been carried on with a tender regard tor
the feelings of humanity. But on the
side of the rebels, from the barbarous dis
play of Yankee heads and bones at Bull
Run, down to the late fiendish display of
savage barbarity in the burning out of
women and children at Chombersburg,
there have been a succession of cruel out
rages. that goto show the rebels are more
wanton and fiendish than the devil desires
them to be. Their robbery of the dead,
their abase of prisoners, their
of thousands at Belle Island, their murder
ous bushwaekery, their infernal massacre
at Fort Pillow,and the iudiscribabk) hor
rors of the murders and robbencs they aro
now perpetrating in all parts of East Tenn
essee, show them to be what we have al
ways charged—hell-born and hell-bound!
This is the much-lauded civilization of the
South—it is a diabolical outrage upon hu
manity. and upon the ordinary usages of
civilized warfare. When they die, one
by one, it may be truly said of them, in
tho language of Holy Writ, "iu hell he
lifted up his eyes, being iu torment."—
KnoxviHe Whig.
A SERMON
Preached in tho Presbyterian church,
Butler, Pa., on the National day of Hu
miliation; Aug. 4,1864, by Rev. Loyal
Young, I). 1).
EXBKIEL, 22: 29,30. 31.—"The people of the land have
until oppression^and exercised robbery, nud have vexed
the poor and needy; yoa, they have oppressed the stran
ger wrongfully. And I Bought fr a man among them
thiit should tufkc up the hedge, and stand in tho gap be
fore inefor tho hunt, that 1 rdiould not destroy it; hut 1
f>nnd none. Therefore have I poured out mine indigna
tion upon them; 1 have consumed them with the fire of
my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their
h.wis, saith the Lord God.''
A. great nation on their knees offering
prayer to God, is a sublituer spectacle
than a great nation in arms. Hut when
a nation with one hand grasps tho sword
to maintain its own existence, and with
the other lays hold of the Almighty the
avenger of wrong, it is a spectacle which
the universe may admire. Hut the great
cause of grief is, that multitudes refuse
to be humble and penitent under God's
chastising hand. Comparatively few lay
hold on (iod in times of trouble. Men
who ought to be patterns, and whose po
sition gives them influence, are oft' M pro
fane, intemperate, and sceptical. God is
not in all their- thoughts. While they
should make up the hedge and stand in
the gap before the Lord in behalf of the
land, that he should not destroy it, they
too often trust in their own prowess or
wisdom or righteousness. Let us this day
cease from man, and sensible of QUI' sins
humbly confess them before God. AVhon
Kzekiel uttered this prophecy, the nation
and church of Judea had become deplo
rably corrupt—ripe for God's judgments.
Heeause their mercies had been great, their
sins were the more offensive. The sins of
this nation stand forth prominent in the
sight of Heaven and earth ; and all the
more so because like Israel, we have been
in a peculiar manner favored of God.—
And why he has borue with us so long, is
a question harder to be answered, than
why he is now visiting us with such a
tremendous calamity.
In this chapter tho prophet gives a list
of the crimes of his people, many of
which darken and pollute our own favor
ed country. Murders, idolatry, disregard
to the laws, oppression, despising holy
things, pro timing the Sabbath, commit
ting lewdness, bribery, extortion, forget
fulness of God; these are the crimes
which the prophet denounces as making
God's displeasure lis a furnace. "1 will
gather you, and blow upon you in the fire
of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in
the midst thereof; and ye shall know that
I the Lord have poured out my fury up
ou you," verses 21, 22. "Can thine heart
endure, or can thin" hands be strong, in
the day that 1 shall deal Vith thee ?"
verse 14.
In our text one of these evils is especi
ally dwelt upon as particularly offensive
to God. It is the sin of oppression.—
" The people of the land have used op
pression,—they have oppressed (he strang
er wrongfully. And 1 sought for a in.'fn
among them that should make up the
hedge, and stand in the gap before mo
for the land, that I should not destroy it;
but 1 found none. Therefore have 1
poured out mine indignation upon them,
&o."
Oppression assumes various forms ac
cording t:» the disposition and opportuni
ties of the oppressor. "So I returned
and considereda 1 the oppressions that are
done under the sun : and behold the tears
of'sueh as were oppressed, and they had
no comforter; and on the side of their
oppressors there was power; but they
had no comforter." Keel. 4:1. As there
are sharks to prey upon the fishes, and
wolves—upon the flocks, and eagles—up
on the smaller birds; so there are tyrants
who prey upon their follow men. We
need not goto old Egypt, ami call up the
sighing of Israel under their bondage, to
get a tale of woe and wretchedness. Wo
need not tell of prison houses, bastilcs and
inquisitions. Oppression is everywhere.
It is in many a father's strong arm, —in
many a mother's flashing eye,—in many
a child's perversity. Autluji ity is not op
pression ; but it is often employed as
such. Its proper exercise saves families,
churches and nations.
The oppression to which I wish to di*
rect your attention now, as constituting a
great national sin, and which I verily be
lievo is bringing God's sore chastisements
upon us, is American tiluvfry. I wish
yyjir candid and prayerful attention to
this subject to-day, because, Jirst, wo all
have to do with this matter in some shape,
and have probably all been partakers in
this siu : and, second , because there aro
certain phases of the subject that 1 have
never ten or heard discussed,and which I
deem of importance. 1 might add that
the General Assembly of the Presbyteri
an church have enjoined it upon all in
their several spheres to do nil they can tor
the removal of tho evil of slavery.* And
ministers must enlighten flic public mind
on this subject as well as others. Several
things have causoif some of us to be too
silent on the subject. Let me refer to
some of them
1. To many, the Bible seemed to pal
liate, if not to justify tho holding of men
in bondage. Tho arguments from the
Bible are suchas these; which I expect
to show to be delusive and fallacies.
First. A curse was pronounced against
Canaan tho son of Ham by Noah, declar
ing that he (Canaan) should be a servant
of servants to his brethren. This pre
diction is said to point out the Africans
as being doomed to sorvitudo by God
himself. And the inference drawu, is,
that it is right to enslave tlieiu.
Second. Slavery is supposed to be sanc
tioned in the example of Abraham who
had servauts born in his house i.nd bo't
with his money.
Third. Slavery is supposed to be sanc
j tioned in the law given to Moses; the
strongest expression being in these words.
1 Miautoa A D., 180±, page* 298,299.
N UMBER 88;
" Both thy bond-men, nud tliy bond-maids,
which thou shalt have, shall be of the
heathen that are round about you; of
them shall ye buy bond-men and bond
maids. Moreover, of the children of tho
strangers that do sojourn among you, of
them shall ye buy, and of their families
that are with you, which they begat in
your land : and they shall be your pos
session. And ye shall tnke them as an
inheritance for your children alter you, to
inherit them for a possession : they shall
be your bond-men forever." Lev 25:
44-40.
Fourth. It is argued that slavery exist
ed in the Roman Ktittiie in thi days of
Christ and his Apostles, and "that tho
Apostles received slaveholders into the
church and continued them therein, with
out giving any intimation that slavehold
ing was a sin."
Fifth. "That Paul sent back a fugi
tive slave to his own master again, and
assigned as his reason for so doing, that
master's right to the services of his
slave."* 'lhese are the main points of
Scripture proof adduced in favor of Sla
very, and when brought forward with the
ingenuity and sophistry of such men as
the late Or. Thornwell, of South Caroli
na, and Hishop Hopkins of Vermont, it is
not surprising that many in the South
and even in the North, believe that Sla
very as it exists in tho South is right and
proper. And were we in tho North sit
uated as multitudes in tho South are, lflto
them we should be persuaded that Slave
ry is scriptural, and that to be anti-slave
ry is to be fanatical.
2. Another cause of comparative si
lence on the part of the ministry in the
North was this. Many extreme j|iiti-sla
very men became injitlels ; and this caus
ed them to hesitate about saying much
on the subject. Indeed the Abolition
movement was for a while conducted prin
cipally under the auspices of such men as
Wm. Lloyd Garrison and his infidel allies.
This made many truly anti-slavery men
cautious. A minister of the Synod of
Pittsburgh began to preach and lecture
on tho " abolition of Slavery."" Soon he
ran into great extravagances. At length
he began to question the inspiration of
tho Bible; and finally mocking at tho
idea of prayer, and scouting at the idea
of a Sabbath day, and ridiculing all that
is sacred, he died an avowed, scoffing in
fidel. And his case was not altogether
singular. These npostncics causod many
to say, " Does anti-slavery load to such
Results as these ? If so, let us be cautious
what we inculcate."
8. As tho discussion of tho subject of
Slavery was calculated to influWico tho
Southern mind, anil as the laws forbade
interference with tho Slaves in the South
ern States, it was thought by many that
tho best way was to bo silent on the sub
ject. It was said that the cause of eman
cipation had been greatly retarded by tho
preaching of anti-slavery in tho North.
Beside, tho question got so mixed up with
politics and political parties that minis
ters hardly felt that they could touch tho
subject without breaking with their good
church members, many of whom were pe
culiarly sensitive on tho subject of Sla
very. For this reason. 110 doubt, and be
cause they anxiously desired the peace
and prosperity of the country, many ab
stained from uttering the teachings of tho
Bible in reference to this groat evil.
4. It was hoped that the evil would
gradually cure itself, and that tho South
ern people would take measures them
selves to abolish slavery, without any
teaching or interposition on our part. Tho
Slaves, hard as their condition is, aro ve
ry impressible, and multitudes of them
have been hopefully converted, and made
the children of God. Their bondage in
a christian land has been over-ruled to
their spiritual benefit. More of them aro
pious by far, in proportion, than of their
masters.
All these things taken together, account
for the position taken by multitudes in the
North who are really opposed to the in
stitution of slavery. If they do not form
an apology, they should, at least, soften
the asperity of those who denounce in bit
ter words all who have not gone the full
length with them in their measures of re
form. Hut while I say this, I wish to bo
humble as an American, and 1 wish you
all to be humble as Americans, in view of
the dreadful guilt that rests upon our na
tion foiShcir treatment of this unhappy
class of men. It seems clear to my mind
that God has a controversy with us on
this very ground. And if we have been
imiifWont to"the sighing of the prison
ers," PI the doleful cruelties inflicted up
on them, wo are partakers in the guilt.—
We have reason to ask ourse'ves honestly
whether we have ever even prayed for
their deliverance; whether while Ave have
felt for the woes of the heathen and pray
ed for their deliverance, wo have not been
afraid even to in public for the col
ored man, becauso he is in some way con
nected with our political affairs.
Thus, in the language of our text, God
says to us, " I sought for a niau among
them that should make up the hedge, and
stand in the gap before me for the laud,
that I slfould not destroy it; but I found
none." Wo in the North havo by no
means been guiltless. And if any of us
have in no way been directly involved in
upholding slavery, by our votes or our
teachings, wo cannot plead that we havo
as prayerfully laid this matter to heart,
and before God, as wc ought to have done.
Wo have not stood in the gap to turn
away the fierce anger of God from the
land. We have too much connived at op
pression and wrong. And such conni
vanco is offensive to God. All oppres
sion is exceedingly odious to God, and
he will, sooner or later, arise -to avengo
the wrongs of the oppressed. This we
all acknowledge except in case of thoso
reduced to slavery* Some seem to think
•I quote tiie language of Dr. Armstrong, of Virginia