Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-08

"oisuatiou OF the contempt no may ieei io'
the taste ofthe prea cher, or of the a5horrence
with which he may regard this porvcrsion OF
the clerical Office. Should this "profe ssed
ambassldour Of Christ" however, throw oil
the mantle with which saiutary opinion has
invested all who bear that chardcter, and enter
the lists of newspaper discuss.on under h's own
proper name, nc must not expect TO escape the
same measure of aninadyersion, which men
with less pTetens.ons TO holiness, are accus-
toned TO meet in the warfare Of the press; aud
he may be sure that the motives which prompt
cd TO silent contempt OF the party preacher,
will not interfere 10 prevent thorough e&alni-
nation and exposure OF the party prHer. Had
yol, therefore, Sir, -conlcnted yourself with
eulogizing General Jackson from your pulpit,
had you confined yonr party defamation TO
the ears of your congregation, should Proba-
bly have left il to them to settle the account
with you, satisfied that such an abuse Of the
house of God would bring down its own suiiic-
icnt punishment. You have thought proper,
however, TO come forth from the pulpit 10 the
press; YOU have descended to the level OF lay
men like myself; you have thereby invited Po-
liticai discussion, and promise YOU reverend
siI that you shah have enough of il before we
part. have but little hope OF .rnging you
10 an acknowledgement Of error; but for your
gadtnce in future aud as an example 10 other
ministers Of Him, whose Kingdom was not OF
this world it is my intention TO oher few
salutary hints touching late extraordinary
production OF your pen.
You must be aware that ! allude to your
letter to the Editor Of. the Philadelphian,"
bearing the date of June 30th, is27,an which
appeared in that respectable Journal on the
OH INST. and has, since, been copied into 9TH
or papers.
Nov, reverend sir promise TO examine
your extraordinary production in detail and
though assure you shall not Judge 1t IN the
same spirit with which in some OF your recent
publications YOU have scattered damnation
among your fellow citizens of other crceds, 1t
will be treated with perfect freedom and
more respect than il intrinsically deserves.
In the first place permit me 10 enquire upon
what authority YOU have undertaken TO assure
the Editor of The " PhiladcIphian" that "Gen.
Jackson is a friend and supporter OF CHRIS
tilnitY?" Or, rather, lc, me ask what meaning
you give 10 the term " Christianity which
tou have used in the sentence. you wish to
be understood as avowing that the General -
a member of your particular denomination
since he became a candidate for the Prcs-
dcncy, have only to remark that IT would
hgyc been we'll for you to give your meaning
lnlc more dstinctness. II, however, the
+" christianity" You mean is that which our
blessed Saviour describes as bringing forth
good fruit" take the liberty 70. ask, -upon
which ofthe various works OF General jack
son YOU found YOUR assurance" Of his " friend
ship and support Of christianity" Is IT on his
reyerential regard for the marriage bed; or
his aversion TO ''blood and cdrnage;" or his
adherence Of duelling; or his - tender mer-
cies' towards the militia; or on his scrupuloLs
submission 10 the civil authorities OF his coun-
try.
Have you derived your knowledge OF Gen
cral Jickson's christian character from the re-
cords Of tho Virginia Court, from the letter
of Mr.. Senator Benton, from the proceedings
of the Court Martial on the six militia men, or
from his official letters on the subject OF the
Creek war, in which the object of your pane
gyTic boas; ed of" exterminating" whole ma
tion Of men. women, and children, sin style"
Il Use his own words
If these arc not the features Of the Generals
character which authorize you 10 assure us that
he Is " a friend and supporter OF Christianity"
il would be well for you, reverend sir, to edify
the public by informing Us Of the particular
claims he possesses TO this eulogium. II you
can indicate no others than those have men-
toned can only say with 81. Paul 81 have
not SD learned Christ"
:. No man YOU say treats those who may
Chris with more respect know nothing, and
believe the public knoy nothing o. General
j. akson's treatment of Christian ministers ex-
cent what has been developed respecting Mr.
Harris the Ba ptlst minister, whom lie caused
10 be shot to DEATH and Of whom shall have
something 10 say presently. But your asser-
ton is that he treats {" "lawtul'' ministers with
respect, and you carefully coniine your guar
antee to this class. It is desirable therefore
that we should know what evidence or author
i,y YOU recognize as sufficient 10 constitute
s'lawful minister" If as suspect, you mean
10 exclude that highly respectable portion of
our follow citizens the ministers Of the Baptist
and Methodist and Quaker denominations WHO
on other days than the Sabbath, pursue all hon
est aud crednable calling for their livelihood
then Your list Of "lawful ministers will b.
confined within a comparatively narrow limit
and Il will he easv to understand why You lus-
tfv General Jackson in shedding the blood OF
John Harris, the Baptist preacher This IS
the substance Of your next sentence, but as IT
is too important to be slightly treated shall
reserve il for distinct letter.
In the mean time recommend to your study
and meditation, Proverbs xvii v. l5."
The individual who thus promptly and en-
phatically replies to Mr.. Ely, is understood TO
be a gentleman connected with the Presbyte-
ran Church, and who has Indignantly beheld
tie attempts that have been made 10 impose
upon the world, belief that General Jackson
is a man Of pety, and holds in reverence the
Gospel Of the beloved Redeemer of mankind.
II is not the first time that this artifce has
been resortcd to by political pugilists and TN
principled factionists; but the attempt must
fail, since it il well known, that no man " oil
this round world" holds in more supreme con-