Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-06-18
[Fr0m tas Clrlgl.aa Baptisi.I

From the Christian Baptist.
Mr.. ROBERT OWENS CHALLENGE.
SINCE the publication of my reply to
a correspondent in Canton, Ohio, Mr.. A. J
the following challenge from Mr.. Owen
to the clergy Of New Orleans, reached us.
It seems this challenge was published in
several ofthe New Orleans papers.
To&e Clergy Of Ne'o Orleans.
GENTLEMEN,
/ HAVE now finished a course of
lectures in this city, the principles ofwbich
are in direct opposition to those which you
have been taught it your duty to preach.
1t is of immense importance to the world
that truth upon these momentOus subjects
should be now established upon a certain
and sure foundation. You and |, and ell
our fellow men are deeply interested that
there should be no further delay. With
this view, without one hostile Or unpleas-
ant feeling onmy part, propose friendly
public discussion, the most open that the
city ofNew Orleans will afford, or, if you
prefer it, a more private meeting: when
halfa dozen offriends Of each party shall
be present. in addition to halfad dc en- gen
demen whom YOU may associate with you
IN the discussion. The time and place Of
meeting to be of your own appointment.
/ propose to prove, as | have already at
TEMPTED to do in my lectures, that all the
religions fthe world have been founded on
the ignorance of mankind; that they are di-
rectly opposed to the never changing laws
ofour nature; that they have been and are
the real source of vice, disunOn and mise
ny of every description; that they are now
the only real bar TO the formation ola sOcl-
ETY. Of virtue, ofmtelHgence, Of charity in
IT'S most extended sense, and of sincerity
and kindness among the whole human fam
ily; and that they can be no longer main
tanned except through the ignorance of the
mass of the people, and the tyranny Of the
few over that mass.
With feelings ofperfect good will TO you,
which extend also in perfect sincerity to all
mankind, I subscribe mysellyOu friend in
a rust cause. ROBERT OWEN.
Mas. HERR1Es, Chartres-sreet,
.New Orleans, Jan. p 1920.
P. S.-Ifthis proposal should be declin-
ed, | shall conclude, as have long most
conscientiously been compelled to do, that
the principles which | advocate are unan-
swerable truths. K. ..
have, from the first appearance ofNlr.
Owen in this country, considered his
scheme ofthings, moral and political, as
3redicated upon either absolute Deism or
Atheism. To decide which of the two, |
was, for sometime, IN suspense. He has
now come out full face against all religion,
finding it at variance with his new theory
of society. l have long wondered why
none of the public teachers of christianity
has appeared in defence of the last blest
nope Of mortal man. This sceptical age
and country IS the proper soil, and the
youth of this generation the proper ele-
ments for Mr. Ovens experiments, /
have felt indignant at the aspect of things
n reference 10 this libertine and lawless
scheme. Mr.. Owen, a gentleman ofvery
respectable standing as a scholar and cap
uahst, Ofmuch apparent benevolence, trav-
cling with the zeal Of an apostle through
Europe and America; disseminating the.
most poisonous sentiments, as christians
conceive; finding myriads in waiting to.
drink, as the thirsty OK swalloweth water,
he has to offer against the Bible
and the hope of Immortality, passes I'M
checked and almost UNDECIDED by the my
RAIDS ofadyocates and teachers ofthe chris
tan religion. Ifnone but christian phil
composed this society it might be
well enough to let Mr.. Owen & his scheme
find their own level. But while a
few Ofthe seniors disdain to notice, or affect
to disdain his scheme Of fittings, it ought
not to be forgotten that thousands are car
RED away as the chaff before the wind, by
the apparently triumphant manner in which
Mr.. Owen moves along.
Impelled by these considerations and O.
theirs connected with them, we feel It our
dutyto propose as follows
Mr.. Owen says, in the challenge before
us-"I propose to prove, as ! have already
to do in my lectures, that all the
of the world have been founded
on the ignorance of mankind; that they
are directly opposed to the never changing
laws Of our nature; that they have been &
are the real source of vice, disuniOn, and
misery of every description; that they are
now the only real bar to the formation Of a
society of virtue, ofintelligence, Ofcharlty
in its most extensive sense, and Of sIncen-
ty and kindness among the whole human
family; and that they can be no longer
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