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

Saviour in such perfectly equal, trivial and COM
mon Parlance colloquy with mortals. as he often
ascribed to them. We know that this is almost
the universal popular strain in the western coun-
try. A man OF such talents and powers ought to
give the FIRST example OF correcting il. The in
congruity OF such associations in every trained
mind Is monstrous. We dissented wholly from his
tavori,e theory, that the idea Of God, spirit an
altar priest, sc. could only have been taught by
revelation or tradition. We yielded no reader
faith to his declaration, that language must have
had the same origin. Some parts Of that system Of
Christianity, which he presented, wore as new,
as they seemed circunstantiel, singular and
Whimsical to us; and the whole of the logomachy
had resemblance to any thing, rather than pub
lie forensic discussion at Cambridge or Yale.
But apart from these defects, as they seemed to
US, he eyinced very great amount OF various
reading OF every thing that could be supposed re-
isvant to his discussion. Every ancient writer,
sacred or protane. that had left any remains which
had the least bearing upon his subject, came from
his niche to instruct us Warburton, Newton,
Locke, Milton, Butler, Soame Jennings, and the
great pames OF thatclass were put in requison on
the one hand; and the whole herd of philosophers
scephcs and atheists the other, were evoked
from their sleep the tomb, to be compared iudg-
ed and sentenced. His proofs of Christianity
were oil the common character, and arranged in
the common way. We cannot say that the argu-
ments were stronger or better arranged than Pa
ieys; but they were able; and we were at once
pleased and surprised to find that his views of
Christianity were decidedly of the liberal cast
In his contrast between the tendencies of the two
systems, and the hopes of Christian, departing
IN the joyful triumph OF faith TO his eternal home
and the desoate sullenness of the epicurean-iay-
ing himself down under the omnpotent pressure
oil hostile nature to the eternal sleep of the grave
he was impressive and happy. Very often, du-
ring the debate, he manifested those resources
which belong only TO an endowed and disciplined
mind
I'm tta ~ H. Iol, A.
the locker of the Welsh philosopher having tenn
porariy given out, without hanging out any sig
nal OF surrender, he retreated behind his twelve
fundamental laws and intimated that his antago-
mist might thunder upon him unanswered for
some hours, if he chose. Mr.. Campbell availed
himself OF the opportunity, to carry forward his
argumentatve sequence of proofs, in a connected
and uninterrupted essay Of some hours. Having
recruited somewhat during this interval, Mr.. Ow-
en- ayaied himself once more OF his thirty minutes
not forgetting the famous twelve Fundamental
laws, and the debate closed.
During the eight days that the discussion lasted
the church was uniformly crowded, seldom ad-
Knitting all the spectators. We all felt, that our
city richly deserved the compliment, which both
the disputants gave it. There was the most per-
iect order, and entire decorousness of observance
during the whole debate. Although the far gre at
er proportion were protested christians, and no
small part of the stricter class, they received
with invincible forbearance, the most frank and
sarcastic remarks of Mr.. Owen, in rdcule of the
most sacred articles of Christian belief We
thought these remarks were often gratuitously Of
fensiye. But We perceived il to be part Of his
system, 20 keep back nothing; and to leave no
ground Tor charges 81 reServ.t alton, withholding
the most revolving features of a full length por-
trait OF his scheme. An intelligent foreigner re-
marked to us, as a compliment apparently invoun-
tary, that he had seen no place, where he thought
such discussion could have been conducted in so
much order and quetness. All the weapons, bad
ges and guards, that sustained it, were the invis-
ible ones OF opinion. Nor did Mr.. Owen fail to
remark upon it, as harbinger of the general and
speedy prevalence Of his opinions, that had he de-
clared the same sentiments 30 years ago in any
part oil Chris.cndom, he would have been torn in
pieces Truth is, our industrious people gave up
eight days to their curiosity, and desire to under
stand the art of chopping'logic, and reviewing the
several systems of skepticism. They returned
with tenfo'd zest to their handsaws and trowels
aware that bushel Of words would not buy a
single article in the market, and to their pews as
usual, on the Sabbath, fully impressed that to live
IN clover, with ample range of the social system
Tor eighty years, was poor substitute for the
hope OF happy Immortality in the eternal re-
gions OF the living Meanwhile we are to have
the whole debate from the press, and therefore
we have found it necessary only to touch upon the
more prominent points in the discussion.
Mr. Campbell at times discovered some impa-
uence that Mr.. Owen could in 10 way be brought
to grapple with him in a metaphysical wrestling
match of words The philosopher, keeping s.eadi,
ly in view his great purpose to bring his social
system fully within the apprehension OF the peo-
pie, never left the Notifications of his twelve
rules for moment. When the debate termi-
mated on the eighth day, it had become too dark in
the evening to read, after Mr.. Owen had made
his last remarks. Mr.. Campbell desired the whole
congregation 10 be seated. Every one in a mo-
ment sat down in profound stiffness. 'You,' said
be, who are willing 10 testify that you bore the
n nj
indiiiere9ce or skepticisI, but from the christian
precept TO be patient and forbearing under indig-
nity-you who prize the christian religion. either
from belief in it, or reverence for its influences
be pleased to rise. Instantly, as by ono electric
movement, almost every person in the assembly
sprang erect. Genliemen,' he continued, now
please to he seated All again were seated in al
most breathless expectation. You,' said he,
'who are friendly to Mr.. Ovens system, be good
enough to rise.' 1t was almost with shiver, that
we saw three or four rise from the mass 10 this
unenviable notoriety. The people resumed their
character as sovereigns, for 4 moment. A loud
and instant clapping aud stamping raised suffo.
eating dust to the roof Of the church. The irwin
chile good temper Of Mr.. Owen, was not overcome
even by this Hesmed bow ed called il pretty ma
noeuyre and seemed little perplexed at this turn
taken upon him by one who perfectly knew the
Kentucky manage ment of the people. We hum
bly, trust, that the result will be, that the empire
OF bigotry in this quarter will be shaken to its
cehUei that the TWO extremes oil Caiyinism aud
Atheism will be alike rejected by the sober good
sense OF the people. and that the intellectual pen.
duum will settle in its vibrations to the permanent
point OF reasonable and liberal Christianity.
For the rest, every one remembers the employ
ment, which Milton assigns. q recreation on
their sulphur hills, to the spirits in prison. II was
these same incrutable mysteries of fate fixed fate
and chance and the origin of evil, that involved
them in r.azes of wordy dispute, that rendered
worse COMPOUNDED. Every thinking person must
have felt the true character and import Of such a
discussion before such assembly. Whoever