The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-26

which he presides as Editor. But in his
endeayours to furnish the public with the
truth in this case, he has utterly failed oil
accomplishing his object. While attempt
ing to correct the .sfalse statements" OF Or.
Reese. he has himself insensibly, probably,
been drawn into the preparation OF state
ments utterly untrue, and perverslon OF
facts wholly unjusti6able in a Christian
Minister. His second reason is, he wishes
$50 teach Christians to speak the truth. =
| This is most certainly, desirable trait IN
the character of christian. But to this
Rev. Editor we would say first cast the
beam cut of thine own eye, that thou mayest
see clearly TO cast the mote out OF thy BROTH
ers eve. We leave the community TO draw
the inference. The Sd reason he offers is,
that "ihere has been so many false and
slanderous reports circulated lately, that we
fell impelled by a sense of duty 10 notice
| few of the misstatements." We are sorry
that any one should circulate slanderous re-
ports against their neighbours. Reports
of this nature are, however, matter open
for a settlement between neighbours and
friends. The Rev. Editor. however, does
not openly avow that the Methodist Society
have circulated false reports against him.
The legitimate inference, however, from
what he says is, that such in his estimation
is the case and that these .'false reports"
are "many." Upon what ground We ask,
does he thrust forth this groundless charge
agains, a society composed of more than
$50 members? Have the Methodist So
ciety in their official capacity concocted
certain charges against the Baptist Society,
or the Rev. Editor, and promulgated them
to the community as true? So far from
this, that we question if any one can be
found officially connected with the NJ. So
ciety who have ever INDUCED in any express
sion towards the Rev. Editor or his church
unworthy the character and dignity Of q
christian. Again we ask who have "circu-
) lated so many false and slanderous reports"
of which the Rev. Editor complains so GRE
viously TIE charge he makes is a gener-
al one, effecting the character of the whole
Methodist Society. In this we are held up
/, 10 the public as circulaiors OF ''false and
slanderous reports" And BY whom is this
done ? By man who has heretofore uni.
, formiy been considered by the Methodisls
as worthy of their confidence, respect and
christian love. How far this confidence
, was misplaced the public can judge.
! The 4th reason he assigns for noticing
t the article of DR.. Reese is
/ "To let our Methodist friends know that
! if they will descend to low intrigue and
Misrepresentation, we shall stand ready TO
, expose Them"
/ In the above we are charged with slow in
, trigue and misrepresentation" We are
/ willing 10 have the whole world know all
that the Methodist Society have done, and
] the judgment of an impartial community
: passed upon our acts. But where is the
proof that we have been guilty of low in
trigue and misrepresentation ! Does the
mere assertion o. the Rev. Editor constitute
proof in this case? 1t must be taken as
5 such, or he stands, upon his own assertion,
as guilty of inc very act he charges home
; upon others. With this view of this par.
of his 4ih reason, how much confidence
can be placed in The assertion following,
which is as follows:
"But iethey will &C, openly and candidly
and as christians should, we are ready, so
} far as we can. 10 labor with them, TO rejoice
in all their spiritual prosperity, and to thank
God if $500 instead of $50 are converted
! at their altar"
Here he is ready to rejoice ia all our
Z spiritual prosperity" while but breath
before, he charges home upon US slow in
D trgue and Misrepresentation" Does he
: mean as lie says? Can it be possible he is
3 willing 10 rejoice in the spiritual proSperi-
; ty" of those guilty of "low intrigue and mis-
r representation, for such he charges upon
! his "Methodist friends" Again he says,
. eve are willing that God should use
S such instruments as he pleases in convert
+, ing souls. If he make use of our Metho-
dist friends, while angels rejoice we will
> rejoice too, and bid them God speed"
: Notwithstanding we are guilty of Glow
, intrigue and Misrepresentation" he, the
; Rev. Editor, is willing that God should use
us as instruments" in converting SOULS
That God has blessed the labours of the
: Methodist church in this place in the con-
: version of souls no one will question. But
: the question is, would God have done this,
five had been as truly guilty of ''low in
trigue and Misrepresentation as this Rev.
Editor charges home upon us. Yet he
llldl ul1Ou IL u uC,
debar us from the Divine favour, while at
the same time, the fact being notorious,
that God did bless our efforts to extend the
Redeemer's kingdom among men, by con-
verting hundreds at our altar, scatters the
charge of Glow intrigue and misrepresenta-
tom to the winds, and brands the author
with being guilty of that, he so assiduously
seeks to fasten upon us. After thus dis
coursing, he turns upon us and with an air
of dictation says,
"But, brethren, you must act Chris
tan part. You must be be frank and O.
pen, and acknowledge that there may be
piety and sincerity out of the Methodist
church. Will you do it"
Here again, the 'brethren," or in other
words, the Methodist Society are told they
''must act Christian part" We ask the