Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-01-27
BooNviLLE, Jan. 22d, lS44.


agreeable 10 request, | send you an account Of
the controversy between MI Coyner, Presby.
terrain, ard Mr.. Marvin, Universalis.
The subject was. lis Eternal Punishment
consistent with Holy wrh aud ReaSon?'
The affirmative was taken by Mr.. Coyner; the
negative by Nh. Marvin. The controversy last
ed portion OF two days, commenting Thursday |
the 18th, at II o'clock, A. NJ. aud ending mex,
day al half past P. Nj.
The controversy was not committed TO paper,
but being a general attendant, send you such
as my recollection affords; and being Of neither
persuasion, will ntlemptto give you an mPaG |
ua description Of The manner in which SAID con
troversy was conducted and terminated. Mr.. |
Ilckox and Mr. Grecnhelge were appointed
Modelators and half an hour was the time mu !
tuay agreed upon, as their respective terms Of
speaking: as an introdUcton-a prayer by thu !
Rev. Mr.. Slocun.
The subject was then opened by Mr.. c. with
on elaborate description Of certain Greek terms
signifying Endless, Everlasting, Continual, &c,
priding himself upon his proficiency as Linguist
and familiar Acquaintance with the Dead Ian.
guag,s..
! Mr. NJ answered him by quotations from emf.
uent Orthodox writer's stating, "such words
had an indefinite Specification and could only be
used in a snperlative sense, when the sense Of
The subject demanded it," Mr.. NJ. then relerr'd
10 several words from the Greek Testament
which could not be mistaken TO imply Eternal
and could mean nothing ese-and challenged
Mr.. G to produce any one text in Scripture
where said terms had allusion 10 punishment
after death.
And it is but fair to observe that Mr.. G. did
not once attempt it, (this silence asoniShed many
| nj bayi Rav Mr. SIOrunl
al his elbow, with whom he held frequent CON
munion) bu continued, in heclamaIory styI", 10
abuse the UniversaIisrs. whom he accused Of
being worse than lnfdels.
Mr.. NJ. replied that he did not believe that
Universalisls would suffer in comparison with
other denominaons-hut that he did not come
to discuss the character Of any individual that
there were many TO be found wanting among
every denomination, which was no proof OF the
taIIacy OF their respective creeds; and as TO
"UnirerSaLiHs being GcorSe than lnfdels, he
would explain without SophiStry the different re-
lstioms which each bore 10 the InfdeL lnhdeIs
did not believe that Christ died Tor any the
PresbyteIians for a part, (the elecD and the Uni.
versaIists for ALL and he thought Presbyterlans
more closely allied to lnfdes than UnIversaIisS
were. He then alluded TO the former opinion Of
byterians-Infant damnation election and
reprobation, &C., which in great measure had
been renowned on account Of their absufdity.
He again and again challenged Mr.. G. 10 show
any one tert in the Bible which had reference to
eternal ddmnation, and TO prove, if he could,
from Holy writ or Reason, the existence Of place
where man was devoted 10 a hopeless and endless
Temorse-but it is proper and Just 10 add, tina,
he was ever silent upon the subject. M! NJ.
stated that he came prepared 10 speak with Mr..
| Ea DE a. nnsy .,,l,
have in Mr.. G. a Giant 10 contend with, land
that he ras in some particulars)-,ha, he antci
pated having some te1t advanced from the Bible
to support his doctrine Of eternal punishment
that il there toe"e such that he was after The truth
and 'elt DESTROYS OF hearing it. hut so far was
disappointed. he then concluded by stating the
creed oil the UniVersaIisls; with an afec,ionate
and eloquent appeal TO Mr. c., and the various
denominations in attendance, who were quite
numeIous-he debate being we'll attended.
Mr.. Z. had the concluding address, in which,
although he allowed Mr.. M. sincerity in his be
net, but made some harsh and ungenerous insn
uations respecting The Unversasts when he
knew Mr.. NJ. would not have the opportunity Of
answering HIM.
In conrlnson-a prayer by Mr. c., a, the re.
quest Of Mr.. M.--and the controversy termi.
mated.
The opinion OF The people generally is, be-
lIeve, that it will be some time ere they again
challenge Mr.. NJ, TO public controversy, aud if
they do, the necessity Of selecting some one more
able 10 defend his doctrines, and If he cannot 6nd
| in Holy writ or Reason any text to support his
belief, to possess The candor, conSistencr, and
magnanimi'y TO dro,O it. The Rev. Mr.. Slo.
cum has commenced an attack upon Mr. NJ and
MS opinions, how he will succeed, time mus: Je.
termine.
It is fact well established that Theological
discussions are rarely hcial-tendng 10
spirit oil ianaticism, intolerance end religious ex
cesses, destructive to the best interests Of society
Just so with our little community, the effect Of
discussion between Messrs Cnvner and Marvin
IN which the former and his coadjutant 70. lack
OF argument, indulge n the most ungenerous re.
fections or impulalions.
That they lacked argument, or either were ig.
norant or dishonest is very evident. as ia the lale
discussion, when requested thrice Jy Mr. MarUin
they positively neglected or, more properly, -.
fused TO advance one text from Scripture 10 sup.
port their alleged PROFESSIONS
Although an nat Of Mr.. Marvin persuasion,
cannot but admire him for his meekness. his
csndor, his morality and virtues, aud his devotion
to truth, whether religious or moral. And il
would seem to me that Ministers who do not
possess suf!iciency OF logical power or grace
10 contend with success, should avod conlrOver
sizes for fear OF committing that Religion which
they defend, or exposing themselves to lasting
ridicule, and finally, not to sacrifice the dignity
they possess, or cast discrrdit upon their prores
sons by indnIging in ridiculous epitfets OF
abuSire personalities, respecting a man whose
lpT