Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-29
THEOLOGICAL CONTROVERSY.

The public disputation on religious topics, be-
tween Mr.. Owen OF I.anark, and the Rev. MIR.
Campbell, at Cincinnati, has excited much inter-
est even in this part of the Union. We have
adopted, from Mr.. Flnt's Western Review, a cir
cumstantiaI, graphic, spirited account OF the ex.
traordinary Mr.. Flint is man of talents,
who writes fuently and wildly, though not al
ways with the best taste. The present article re-
minds US of some Of the most effective in the Lon
don New Monthly Magazine. We consider Mr..
Gwen as harmless, notwithstanding the zeal and
perseverance with which he attempts to dissent
nate his extravagant doctrines. His habitual good
humor, his imperturbable serenity, which Mr..
t!int particularly notices, are traits that win kind
ness for him even from persons to whom his theo-
~ is odious Nat. GGz.
from Flints Western Monthly Review, for Ap6i, 1929
Public challenged DISPUTE between ROBERT
OWEN, late of New Lanara, Scotland, and last
Of New Harmony, Indiana, philosopher and
cosmopolite, and Rev. ALEXANDER CAMP
BELL, of the sect commonly called Free we'll
Baptists, of Bethany, West Virginia, near
Wheeling; the former denying the truth ef all
religions in general; and the latter affirming
the truth OF the Christian religion on logical prin
ciples.
The glove was thrown down by Mr.. Owen, last
year, in New Orleans. None of the ministers
there saw fit to take up. But il was circulated
extensively in the papers, that the ministers
challenged. the world over, to a logomachic tilt
with Mr.. Owen, on the evidences OF Christianity.
AR. Campbell-who had gained extensive repu-
tation by dealing hard and dexterous blows, as
poiemic theological disputant, at Lexington, Ken
lucky, in a set dsputation with the Reverend
Dir. Maccauley, on some points between Presby-
teTians and Baptists-oot UP the glove, and pub
licly advertised, that his courage was Up to the
point OF doing battle in this grand tournarn ent, in
the face of all Christians, and more especially be-
fore all the gentlemen and ladies, that might as.
sem5le at any given place, which should be
central and convenient for the said disputation.
Mr. Owen, on his way from New Harmony TO
Europe, took Bethany in his route, called on the
Rev. Mr. Campbell, and ascertained satisfactorily,
not only the extent of his calibre, but the keen
ness OF his metal, his disposition for fairness Of
fight, and the honest zeal for the truth, which, he
was compelled TO believe, filled the bosom of this
gentleman. Having measured with his eye the
proud dimensions, the brswny intellectual muscle &
einew OF this offering opponent; having ascertain
ed 10 his satisfaction, that there happy mix
lure Of Scotch shrewdness will, kentucky hard
light In tho premises, he deemed it not unworthy
a iogomachic fame, won extensively ia both he .
rnisphereS, TO engage with Mr. Campbell, TO 10
wordy battle in the city of Cincinnati, in the
month OF April, and the year commonly called
that Of our Lord, 1920. MIR. Owen having set
tied the preliminaries Of the fight went his way;
az Homer would say, Be d'Gkeon para fhind no
hEphloisb0i0 MdldSSes-went meditating upon the
eyentful disputation over the resembling sea, 10
New Lanark; talked, we dare say, about the so.
cSl system; and no doubt, felt the germ Of many
an intellectual egg silently breeding within him.
from which In due time should hatch the embryo
" rout, ruin and disnsy to ministers, tthes, and
inatch-makers. The other betook himself, Ike a
high-metted and good soldier of the church mill.
t3nt, 70 all the black letter, long-bearded sages
IRON Sanchonathon and Herodotus, down to DR.
Fishback, Of Lexington. Meantime the papers
from Dan to Bersheba from Lands End to the Shet
land Islands, from Calais TO ArchaDgel, from Quod
dy to the Sabine, RUG with the note Of prepare
ton for this grand tournament, with which ou
city Vas to be honored Most Of the papers gave
passing article, without note or COMMENT and 81
we received II in different papers, that came to VI
over the sea. Not go the enlightened, anna
bic, mild, most logical and erudite Pdndect, o
our city. Itgrowled, thereupon, in tone, eyinc.
ing that the writer had load Of most iighteou.
bile on his bosom. regarding the approaching
tournament with any feelings rather than those 0
delectalion and quiet confidence in lhe ofinpo
tence Of truth. II rather seemed 10 the said Pan
dect, as though war, pesiileuce and famine wer
a coneentratgq IN this most puisssnt mischief
Ffs 'l5osl tiG' ager!'. e7angelfesi mi sing1lsr