Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-12-13


q, The following was received one mail too
late, Cor insertion hast week: , ',. .
san " Fur the Vermont Telegraph.
) Brother Murray :-Ivefy much dislike, in
ALI public discussions, 10 have the main
point at issue lost sight Of in the petty
chickering's of the parties. And the more do
4 dislike il 10 religious discussions, because
such certainly deuiand candor and honesty.
In no circum stances do we more need to be
on our guard against wrong feelings, and
wrong motives, than in public debates, oral
or written. When parties commence, each
with determinations Of carrying the point,
we may despair of either party yielding the
point when convinced and besides, they
must possess more than ordinary candor
anc piety, not 10 misrepresent each others
language, and impeach each others motives.
And when either or both Of these faults are
seen, the discussion is embarrassing and
Injurious. Servants of God must not
= strive for the mastery" unless they can be
"temperate in all things" And knowing
my deficiency in an attsinment so noble,
hope never to engage in such, strife.
These remarks, Il have thought were
called for, in. view of the contemplated dis
eussion between brother Muller aud my SELF
land especially in view Of some remarks
OfIhe former, in the last Telegraph, relative
70 my Introductory article. Ihave besi!ate
some about replying, but hoping to prevent
like occasions in future, have concluded to
present Few structures.
= Having presented mgSslE before the public
as an OJector, shall offer some objections
to the article. unerr Consideration. In the
FIRST. paragraph of that article be says, he
has seen a communication addressed to you,
the public and himselG,s "from brother An
gier, pledging himself to present and prove
six objections TO my lectures on the second
coming Of Christ" &c. Now must beg
leave TO say, that | have never "pIedged"
myself TO ".prOre Tor, in better English, to
sltstainl six objections,n &c. l have
'.pledged" myself to state, or raise some
-. objections to "Wm. Miller's arguments and
proof Of the second coming Of Christ, in or
before the year 1S43.". Here is no play
upon words, That article was not written
without some care aud reflection and |
think have not yet been quite SO impr1-
dent as brother Miller represents me.
know the difference between candidly "rre
senting" objections for brother Miller tc
4 remove, il able, and "pledging" myself tc
h. sustain them. Ths former / expect to do
the latter the public may judge, and the
sequel prove, that | cannot do. If my
IS objections are removed to my satisfaction,
"pledge" myself to preach his doctrine-tc
proclaim II Con the house top" If on the
other hand they cannot be removed-h
ihey are well grounded, the public ought te
know it. Ipreseut myself not so much a.
the opponent, TO return blow for blow, as III,
scholar, enquiring for the truth. And whll
Hope to exercise all proper docihty, shat
give him an opportunity of showing hi.
y" aptness to teach.n .,.-. . ...
Secondly: Brother Miller, after saying
that be thinks he has already established
some points TO which object, remarks
Hbut IL brother Angler otherwise judges,
hope he will tell the. public aud myseI
what those passages. Of scripture, which
have presented as .evidence do mean" &c
That is, If he cannot solve the problem, To-
me, he hopes / will foriIim. THANK 6rothe
Miller, for his apparent willingness to be
come the scholar. But, he goes further L
say, ..this, 70 me, appears 10 be the groupc
which. brother Angler ought TO pursue il
his two first objectionsp II by thes
remarks lam TO understand that ] am unde
any obligation to do so, again object.
brother Miller should declare, in public, tha
frice u make 50; ] have done all my dut
when ! hold up IL articles in each hand
and let all see thai twice l2 make only "a
without proving thar il takes thrice l2 ,
make &c. So, ss brother Miller has state
his fun belief that the 20 weeks end !
.Chrisrs death, and has founded much (
his theory upon III shall feel that haV
done AZ he has right TO require Of me Q
This point, " ] show ihatrhey do not ne
end, whhovt telling wssn lEey do end
"a 50 -. - ~ |@E ~ ssFH aM