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

" II Il ODLlS-
Circumstances beyond the power of our
control, have forced Us to appear in this form
, before you. While we regret the necessi-
ty imposed upon US 10 assume the attitude
of defense, and vindlcate the society over
whose spiritual interests we are in The Prov
idence of God called to preside against the
unjust and malicious attacks of our assail
CTS, we nevertheless feel, that just EXPOSE
lion of the facts in the case, will satisfy a.
ny, and euery candid mind, that the spirit
which prompted the attack. was far, very
far, from that which should influence pro-
fesse1 follower and minister of the meek
Son of God. In the Vermont Observer"
Ia paper established under the sanction of
the Baptist Church, and in this State con-
sdered as IFS organ, edited by Rev. MIR.
Brierly,) of the 18th inst, the Methodist
Episcopal Society, as body of Christians,
are wanionly made the subject of an unpro-
voted attack. The occasion which 10 the
Editors mind seemed sufficient to Justify
the slanderous misrepresentation put forth,
was the appearance in the Christian Advo.
cate & Journal of recent date. letter from
Doct. d. M. Reese TO the Editors, giving
concise statement of the recent revival of
Colts work, in the Methodist Church in
this village. In that letter the Doct. takes
occasion TO remark upon the widespread
influence in the community from the gener-
al work of Gods grace upon the hearts of
the children of mel also, of the number of
of additions to the different Christian Chur.
ches in the village. The first paragraph
which 10 theRev. Editors mind appears as
calling for a refutatioo, is the following:
"Of the subjects of this revival, 16 who
were converted at our altar in the church.
have united with the Baptist church, and 6
with the Congrega,ionalist church."
To the above remark of Doct. Reese,
Mr.. Briefly adds the following remarks:
"Of the correctness Of this statement as il
respects the Congregationalist church, we
cannot speak, but as it respects the Baptist
! church, it is very wide from the truth. We
have received about thirty 10 our church.
seventeen of whom were added by baptism
during the late revival but OF this number,
after some inquiry, we are not able TO find
one who was converted at -FOUR (lbe Metho-
disr) altar" There may be one or two
such cases, but we think that two would be
the extent"
In the above remarks of Mr.. Briefly, he
asserts that Doct. Reese has represented
that which as it respects the Baptist church
sis very wide of the truth" But before
the ink in his pen had got dry, he acknowl-
edges that II were during that revival ad-
ded TO the Baptist church ''by baptism. -
And he further adds, shut of this number af-
ter some enquiry we are not able to find
ONE, who was converted at sour tho Me,ho.
( disi) ALTAR" Probably thinking this too
bold an assertion. and so glaringly destitute
of the truth. as at once TO excite the surprise
of all who attended the meetings, 10 think
that minister of the Gospel of Christ, a
Waterman upon the walls of our Spiritual
Zion, should unbushngly publish that
known to all as palpab!e error, he adds the
following: "There may be one or two such
cases, but we think that two, would be the
extent" So far from the truth being con.
tanned in the above statement, it is an utter
perversion of that desirable trait which
should commend itself TO all. We can fur
nish the names without any Enquiry" of 10
at least ofthe l6 named who did profess be-
fore God and the people at the Methodist
altar, 10 have found peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ. What credit we
ask can the community of this village and
the surrounding towns, have IN a man who
comes out 10 the world, and publishes such
10 say the leasOa gross Misrepresentation
of tie facts in the case. OF the II who
=, joined the Baptist church. united Them
selves at first with the NJ. E. church. From
the day they thus Of their own accord ex
pressed their preference 10 unite with the
people Of their choice, and emong whom
God had mercifully converted their souls,
they were. We are credib'y informed, harras-
sed, leased and coaxed, by in 'ividuals with
the view 10 draw themrrom TIE ME-. church.
They succeeded, and they left the one and
ioined the olher.-But 10 proceed with The
grievances enumerated in the Rev. Editors
complaint. He states, that they gave up
their (tte Baptists) meetings for several
weeks except two on the sabbath, and that
The church and society were urged to attend
the Methodist meetings, and aid by their
presence, prayers, &c.:-ihat this rds
done, till ii became evident that zoe (ths Bap-
tis,s) mere not acanted there, when We retur-
ned 10 our own place of worship and CON-
menced evening meetings" This last state
menl is wholly untrue This same Mr..
Briefly was cordially received by the Merh-
odisi brethren and asked to pray and exhort
in their public meetings. He was also so.
liciied strongly to preach in our pulpit by
our Minister who together with Elder Grid
ley was heartily reioiced 10 witness his
zeal in the Promo,ion-of the cause Of our