American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-08-23
For The american Watchnan.

the last Watchman, &c, 4uere-Gd this writer
ever read Don Quixottc the exploits Of his cham
pion might perhaps there find parallel Those
who are opposed to the multiplication of Theo-
logical Semnaries, are too "ignorant' to find out
the advantages of conceited, bgoted, Pharasaical
priesthood, in country hitherto happily freed from
the clerical thraldom under which the nations OF
Europe have so long groaned. They are too "pre-
sumptuous" to hold their peace while the means are
|, so seduously employed, to bring about the same
religious intolerance, the same eccesasc domi.
nation in our own land, which has so long orded
1t over the consciences Of the people of the old
world.
The same writer adds-"The Watchmah writer's
seem exceedingly DESTROYS to divide the church, s.
array one denomination against another by enlisting
their jealousy against an educated ministry the
true policy of Satan-"dvide and conquer" This
might have answered in other days, but they are
Ipast. We now find Episcopaans Presby terans
Mehodiss and Baptists concur in the benefits to be
derived from learned ministry-and all engaged
in founding Education Semin RES"
! Thus we have his ipse dirit for proof that the
l"W- writers are DESTROYS to divide the church.
and this is all the evidence we have in the case
j The writer Of this essay feels no such wish-nor
ever did but if in stating simple truths and expo
sing the utter inconsistency with christian simpli-
city, and gospel authority, of all those mighty eff
forts 20 nundate the land with what enormously
called ministers OF the gospel, should be denoun.
ced and sent to perdition, by intoleran bgots and
priestrdden sycophants shall not be dsappoin-
ted but happily their threats have just as many
terrors for me as the Pope's bull--or Mahommed's
Anathema. 1t could hardly be expected that
such writers as these should compose a single es-
say on the subject on which they feel such NOR
i bid sensbity, without some ausion TO his Satanic
Majesty as the nstigator, or punisher of those
whose opinions are not formed and fashioned upon
the same model, and squared and fitted by the
same rule as their own.
| But what does this writer mean by Education Sc
minaries IF he means Seminaries for nstructing
our youth in the Sciences and general literature
1--we acknowledge them TO be "Laudabie." We are
no enemies to learning or learned men, as such
but every thing in its proper order and sphere =
Learning will not qualify for the ministry. But I
Ipresume he means Theological Semnares. If so;
III would ask upon what authority he asserts that the
Methodists are founding Summaries for manuac.
turing ministers If such an institution exists
among them would like to know where it is located;
whether on the top of the Allegany Mountain, or
in the Valley of the Mississippi. For my own par t
| know of none; and suspect if any had existed |
should not have been altogether ignorant of their
location. Whenever they (the Meihodists) join in
his scheme-whenever they set about establishing
/ Seminarles to make ministers, they will abandon
the principle upon which they set out, and which
CONSTITUTED them distinct body of Christians and
they ought in that case Immediately to return to
the bosom OF the Mother Church. Whenever they
take upon Themselves to form ministers, instead OF
Trusting to the Spirit of God to qualify for, and to
Ica to, this important work, their usefulness as
religious society is at an end.
"Upon the whole," continues this writer, 81 have
some regret that the observations of the W
have been attended to in any respect. The work
1--we engaged in is too important to suffer every
carper to draw aside, by stopping to notice him
DO as you please, gentlemen either to write or lei
lit alone. Neither the one course the other will
alter the nature Of truth. But am inclined to
think you would serve your cause most etfectuaIly
lby holding your peace. The schemes in which you
are engaged will not bear the test of rational inves
litigation But what is the important work in which
you are engaged is it the PROSECUTING system ii
which cause you will compass sea and land !? ane
when you have made proselyte-how much thu
beter is he? The talk, and stir, and hustle abou
religion is taking the place of the life of goodness
lin the soul.
The prosperity of the church is estimated by the
number of Theological Summarizes Religious Pa
pers, called, and the amount OF gs, donations,
egaces sbequests,' contributions, &c. sc. an &C
count of which is rung from one end of the CONT
nent to the other; while the sacrifice of broker
a and contrite heart, and of meek and humble
spirit, is less regarded than these actons which arr
so ostentatiously exhibited, that they may be seer
y of men.
u How far the declaration of the prophet Isaiah II
. the Jews speaking in the name of the Lord, will
y Happily to many in our day, leave for the sobe
{ judgment of the reader to determine. "When y,
:, come to appear before me, who hath required thi
at your hands, to tread my courts Bring no mor
: vain oblatons incense is an abomination the nev
:; moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies,
! cannot away with; it is iniquty even your solemn
meeting. Your new moons and your appointed
lfeasts my soul hateth they are trouble unto me
am weary to bear them" MENTOR.