Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-03-21

, dissatisfied! DR.. Porter has mentioned th'
, names of few. Many others of simila
characterDmight be added to the list. Ant
, were these men personal enemies 10 Dr
DIR. Taylor? Or did they form their opln
, ions of his theology from floating runors
No, their dissatisfaction was the result Of Q
candid and careful perusal ofhis writings q
those ofnis associates.
In September Of this year, a little previous
to tho date of the letter from which the above
extract is taken, "a, The time Of the ami.
versarv at Andover,j a Conference was held
at the house OF DR.. Porter, between the
New Haven Divines and several other min.
listers Of distinction, with view, if posi-.
bic, ofcoming to friendly understanding,
and of preventing the necessity of any
further public controversy. 1t was fondly
hoped that explanations might be given, and
concessions made which would relieve the
minds of those who were dissatisfied. AT
this meeting were present, Dr.. Taylor &
Professor Goodrich from New Haven,
DR.. Beecher, the Andover Professors, Dr..
Church, DR.. Spring, DR.. Cogswell, Mr..
Ncttleton, DR.. Hewitt, and some others
whose names | am not now able to spe-
city. The result Of this interview was not
as happy as some had anticipated. The
explanations of the New Haven brethren
so fur from removing the dissatisfaction
which existed served rather to increase
it. That the mind Of DR.. Porter was not
at all relieved, is evident from the letter
from which the above extract is taken. &
which was written only few days after
tine interview. 1t known that others who
were present felt as he did. They were
fully convinced that a public controversy
could not be avoided. AS much as they
dreaded the evil connected with such con-
troversv, it was their solemn conviction that
they were called upon by the great head of
the Church to take an open and decided
sand against these speculations, and TO con.
tend earnestly for the faith once delivered
to the saints. Dr.. Woods at the time came
to the determination 10 publish his letters to
DR.. Taylor.
Shortly after this interview, Mr.. Nett'c.
ton, being at Andovcr, dropped line TO
DR.. Bcecher, requesting him TO invite the
orthodox ministers of Boston to meet at
his house, at a given time, as he wished
very much 10 see them. At the time ap-
pointed he was there. He stated to his
brethren that he was about to leave New
England for the South, and that rs reports
were in circulation that he accorded in sem
timent with the New Haven divines, and
the influence ofhis name was thus made
use of to give currency to their peculiar
views; he wished them distinctly TO under.
stand that he did not adopt those views and
never had adopted them; and that he should
feel it to behis duty on all suitable occasions,
to bear his testimony against them. He
said that such were his convictions OF the
tendency of these views to corrupt reyvals
and produce spurious conversions, that if
all New England should go over, he should
prefer to stand alone, and he requested his
! brethren to make known his views rs they
had opportunity, that his name might not
be made use otto sanction sentiments which
he did not, and could not receive. Mr..
Evar;s, and d.. Cornelius were at this
meeting. and entered fully into the views
ofMr. Neulc.on. What course Dr. Beecher
pursued at this time, and at some other
times, Imay perhaps have occasion 10 men.
ton in a future letter.
have mentioned that the controversy
between DR.. Taylor and Dr.. Tyler CON-
mcnccd the latter part of this year. DR..
TYLER was at this time pastor of a Church
in Portland, (Mc.) lie was native of
; Connecticut, and spent the first part Of his
pastoral life in that State, during which time
DR.. TAYLOR was orc of his intimate friends.
He had been absent from the State about
nine years, and although he had heard ofthe
dissatisfaction which cxistedin Connecticut
and elsewhere, in regard to Dr.. Taylor's
theological views, lie was inclined TO believe
that it was in 4 great measure groundlcss.
In the summer Of 1929 he visited Conncc.
ticut al collected all the pamphlets which
had been published in relation TO this con.
trovcrsv. On his return TO Portland, he
sat down to careful examination Of what
had been published. The result was a
full conviction that the New Haven broth
rem had adopted opinions which were er'
roncous and of dangerous tendency. The
state ofais mind at this time will be seer
from the following extract Of letter to
friend, dated Oct. 8, 1929:
--"Will you believe Ii, whel
your letter arrived, | was poring over tht
New Haven Divinity, as have been for sew
eral days past. l should like to read to yot
some remarks which | have written OF
brother Taylor's Review Of DR.. Spring
, That Review has opened my eyes. Un
, less am greatly mistaken, there is muc!