The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-07-25
Communications.
JpIu ls.-ls43

MR. 1. j. ifoLToN In your paper OF I
this date, | see communication purport. |
iug TO he written by the Messrs. J. NJ. and /
u. /. Caldwell, IN winch am, not very
indirectly, charged with ialsehood more
than once. The following observations are
not Intended as an answer to those charges,
but merely to suspend the public judgment,
until have time to collect testimony, some
Of which is considerably distant, but which
shall be forthcoming in due time, and by
which | shall convict them Of (aschood.
or agree to bear the charge myself. Now,
Tommy and johnny, YOU stichers for
truth, ! give you fair warning, that shall
prove, 10 your hearts content, that Your
first statement (whelhcr YOU made, or on
y endorsed it, Is grossly false. When that
IS done, | hope you will take The advice,
you so kindly give me. and "cry out woe
IS me, &c.
| am exceedingly sorry that the Ne.
moirs alluded 10, ever made their appear
ance IN public, containing the communica-
ton which las given rise 10 so much ex.
| cliement, especially after so long an inter-
val OF peace. and, at least, apparent good
feeling between the Churches. But | as.
sure the public, that the publication of il
was as unexpected to me, as to any one
else. In the summer Of lS4l received
letter from Mr.. Jenkins requesting the
statement. With this request | refused
! 70 comply, alleging 10 my friends that
was so identified with the rise and progress
Of Methodism in Charlotte that could not
write without so many Is that | would be
ashamed TO see ii in print. therefore
deferred making any communication until
the Conference sat IN Charlotte early in
l-i2, at which time, ] expressly under
stood from the author that he had closed
i his book, and that my statement hen made,
was toe late for publication. 1t was drawn
IuP merely from memory; and that there
may be some inaccuracies | admit but
on review Of the whole, hereby vouch
for the truth Of every important item, and
+ defy the world TO contradict them on oath.
800 certificates Of opiaion, such as they
have published, will not, in the estimation
/ OF men Of sense, establish or contradict
one fact. hereby again declare that |
never intended to iuiure or asperse the
/ character of Mr.. Caldwell. 1t is wei
known that he WAS q man of quick pas
sions aud strong prejudlces, and in man,
instances suffered himself to act rashly.-
! can prove that in some Instances, he ma
infested much anger in conversation with
/ me, without my even replying to him.
Notwithstanding all this / thought, anc
sill think, he was good man, but muct
under The influence of mistaken zeal.
do not believe that he ever aid wlfuly OF
knowingly assert any thing but the truth
i itriSh his could be said of his DESCENDANTS
His two rcdoubtabc sors say, THAT our
father was opposed 10 the doctrines and
policy Of the Methodists of his day in n.
/ c. there can be no doubt. The fact is too
notorious to lie controverted," &C., and
they eXut in the fact. Now. all that their
la'her SAID or did in opposition TO Method
I ism arose from this principle, and strange
as il may seem, these learned sous, admit,
aud even boast of the principle, yet deny
the legitimate results, and are offended e.
/ ven at the recital of them. As to the GER
tiiicaie Of Mr.. Amos Alexander, | would
politely suggest TO the old man that he is
mistaken. | was n whole hearted Mctho.
dist more than years before | came to
/ Charlouo--he might have heard me say.
as | have said one hundred times, that |
! loved the Presbyterian Church. And here,
give me leave to inform my readers, how
/ | became a Methodist. When the Rev. j.
+ Brown left Wadcsboro', was left without
a pastor or church; year or two after, |
removed also into Methodist neighbor
hood, and feeling the necessity Of enjoying
the ordinances, Notwithstanding had We
~ strong preiudices against them, | pro-
posed joining them for the benefit OF com
muuion, ION condition they would receive
me) until could once more unite with my
mother church. They received me on
these terms and with this understanding.
| then examined their doctrines carefully
and praycrlully, had all my prejudcos re-
moved, and in about one year became a
/ Methodist with my whole heart, and from
that time have been determined, by grace,
TO live and die Methodist. This is, sub.
stan,ially, the declaration have repeated
+. " made, and from such, the old man may
/ have drawn the inference he certified. As
TO the certificate of M..W. Alexander, NJ.
/ D., let it go for what it is worth. | say,
| never asked privileges, and yet | can
prove that Mr.. Caldwell without asking,
did, voluntarily give me token. They
call me an apostate friend, and migrate
iul delamer of their venerated father
Hard names. would whisper in their
ear, tina. they have detained their father
moro than ever did. suppose | am an
apostatc, and perhaps, by their doctrine, a
reprohate, for becoming a Methodist-be
it so--according 10 their own creed, can
not help that. As to my ingratitude, an.
swer, | never was under peouniary obliga.
tions, that am aware of, to their father
or family and as to kindness, know |
never was bis debtor, for | defy the world
to show that | ever returned an impolite
word To any of his charues. or that I ever