Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1840-11-21

(coMMUSicArED.)
Nh. EDIroR:-In aianciug over you last "a.
pr, a communication sig ned "A Louisianian,' me,
my eye. in which. the writer took occasion to no
tee q sermon preached at the Camp Meeting, re.
Gently held on the Connie, by a Mr.. Finley, in
which notice be says, in my opinion the minis.
tiers Of the gospel who attended The Camp Meet
ing, are much 10 be blamed for having permitted
such language 10 be used.
This is a natural CONCLUSION to one unacquaint
ed win the feelings and opinions Of the preach
es aud the eircum stances in which they were
placed. The writer admits he was not present at
,he meeting. and seems 10 be ignorant of the econ.
ony OF the religious denomination by whom the
nesting Was held, otherwise be might have found
an apology for the silence Of the preachers, which
wonld have prevented the reflection upon them
quoted above.
My ohjsc. is simply 10 state a few facts in ex-
planaiion Of The whole matter, and in viadicaiion
OF tho preachers present at the meeting,
First. Mr.. Finley is not a Methods. bu, a Pres.
hy.erian minister. There was no previous NJ
engagements made to have Mr. Finley present a,
the meeting. He was uninviied and came vol.
unfairly.
The mreting.was a quarterly meeting or Camp
meeting, appointed by and under the control Of
a leading officer in the church, styled a Presiding
Elder. In military ~rarlance, at these meetinss,he
Is commander in-chisf. and all the other preachers
are but inferior officers. He issues his orders on
the morning Of each day ofihe meeting. and de.
siinatss the preachers who are to preaca and their
respective hours. Similar subordina,ion 10 er.
pected among the preachers, ss prevails 10 militia
~ organizations. and il becomes q uery serious
matter for my one preacher to interfere with the
arrangements Of the presiding superior officer. 1t is
true, theprracher who has charge Of the circuit
10 which the meeting is held. has the privilege of
consulting with ;he elder, but can in no case, ap-
point. or suspend tho appointment of the elder
It's his sole prercgntive to put up the preachers
10 preach, and TO check or restrain them, as NAV
prove requisite.
Thus. the reason is obvious, why the suborlin-
ate preachers did not interfere and prevent the
ce,atinua,ion OF Mr. FinIy's discourse. Such an
Interference would have been a gross violation OF
the order Of ecclesiastical regulations, and have
placed The one interfering ia a most uncnyiabIe
church relation.
would have it remembered however, tina, |
willie the power Of this officer is absolute in his
sphere. his sway is Of that paternal character, ex-
efeised by the Emperor of the Celestial Empire
He rules mol to seek qualification 10 the display
ofhis power, butfor the good Of his subjects, and
consults their vii! AMI veal, aud makes these the
rule Of his diciation. I, may here be asked, why then
did the elder include Mr.. Finley and his colonial
hon Talk, in his appointments for Sunday! an.
swer he did not. Mr. Finley was excluded in the
ARRANGEMENTS FIR Sunday, but came to the elder
and begged permission TO make "a few remarks
10 behalf Of the Colonization Society before the
et'er began to preach at II O'clock. As Mr. Fin.
ley was a preacher Of another denomination, and
siad been % fhe habit ofrpeaking on the SUBJ
|ect 10 dilie'eni parts Of The State, and especially
AS he begged the liberty of speaking. christian
and The better feeling Of his heart pre-
vailed. aud the elder consented for Mr. Finly to
"a few femarka.' Instead Of making y few
Mr. Finley took advantage of his nppor-
unity, took . text. and dilsted for an hour on the
Colonization quesiion-thusk cppsaming the time 4
md interest . { the conEreeas &whisA ju.tly'S 8
onscd TO the presiding elder, = The deep morti6.I,
alton Of the 'eh,ers. preachers and people. There /
vas only one aiterra,iyc in this trying situation (,
which was to cause the speaker to cease, which
night have occasioned . general uproar among (
nc people. an occurrence always to be dreaded by /;
very lover OF civil and religious order, especially 4
I q consocation,s 80 numerous and solemn, rs The q
zoe alluded 10. /.
Knowing that the public mind would place A
'f"per estimate OH the talk Or Mr. Finley, and a.
be FESTIVE congregation were looking for a sermon 8
the elder, doubtless. be thought i, best to /;
ass the whole matter silently by, and proceed a, i.
nee to the regular. but interrupted service of the =
neetine, which in The sequel Of the day, proved 4
, he most advisable. No one can impuen the I 3
of the elder. as his eir:l character has !,
rem established by . devotion Of many years to
ne highest intesc~. Of his country. and b. the fac, ;,
at he is 9 Southetner by birth. educs.ioo and !.
siiags. and is himselfs slave holder. :,
The preacher who has charge otShssiscui, did !.
Of know tbs, Mr. Finley had peraiS6 a. y speak !.
. Sunday until . few minutes kfoissAShegsn. !,
I'D then opposed ii warmly; bot The Permit had %
zen given. and il was deestd TOO ia,s g. effect q
|, alteration.
- HZE - VII A& &Xf ~
ihe inirod notion of thsi subject II hakyef msy i,
ito 'nsfit) met with the decided, a. 3pprobation
az fae fsnters. in view Of the ipAA nedt state sof !
political mind ofihs psopie-dke spiritual inter- r.
Is Of the inss'ine and he~nsniielf i~ngSs;ons of
taiga families upon our domestic relations, IN
= the dtludsd Or Eign<d garb Of hensvoIence. i
humanity. Gcas
Ia THE view | do rot hesitstc 10 ray ,hc r9...s
presen' participated, many ofihem bsins SLAVE
ttrrs.
The teniers and preachers concur also with "a
asianisn," that the people attending . meeting M
ibst sosi. 90, 10 hear the solemn truths Of reli- np
-, and that ia This expectation the people an
NOT be disapi ainted. They believe that no
;;ect should be- introduced there. which. though thu
nay have sens affinity TO ~reiigios, ienas. die wa