Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-01-15
NUMBER As.

good; and so long as can consider il, at all
prudent, | shall continue to proclaim the
gospel.
But. secondly; my relation to the Church.
hold letter from the Christian Church of
Dubuque, twelve miles distant, which She
has right To demand; or She may require
Inc to appear and show cause why hold
that letter, living as do. i'm the midst Of
congregation protesting the same faith. |
have not offered my letter here, nor do in
tend ever doing so. While | believe the
Christian Church is built, theoretically, upon
the only true foundation, still, there is sort
of wild liberty taken by the members with
their ministers, which is allowable in no,
other denomination in the world--a sort of
dietatoral spirit, to which |, for one, cam
not, will not, consent TO bow. This, how
ever. is neitherfh time nor place 10 inves-
tigate these things. IL is with my relative
position to the Church, that now have to
do. have said that never intend offering
myself TO the Church in this place. As a
reason for my determination, will state the
following facts. In the first place, notwith-
standing | organized the congregation, and
| believe, am the only minister of the order
who ever preached for this congregation,
the Church took the liberty of getting up
and passing resolution, Ia my absences,
Withdrawing fellowship from all members of
Masonic and other societies, which choose
to transact part of their business with
closed doors; aud all this, with perfect
knowledge of my connection with the Ma
sons, for years past. These are facts sus-
ceptihle of positive proof; but set out to
state facts, not TO argue questions or intro
duce testimony. | have but little more 10
say in this communication. will only add,
that cannot, as conscientious Christian,
unite as member or minister with any
Church, wearing as distinctive appellaton,
any name, save that found and applied in
the New Testament; and as the only one
with which J am acquainted, of that de-
scription, is, in my Judgment, radically de-
tective in point of organization, leaving Her
ministers who have sense 10 reflect and bold
ness 10 act, prey TO bigoted, infatuated ig-
noramnses, who, ii their salvation depended
on il, could not read one chapter in the Bible,
ineligibly, say while such is the case with
that Church, ! never expect 10 unite with
any, claim TO he d citizen Of the Kingdom
of Christ; and as such, hold myself amena-
bic to any or all the Churches. lam willing
to appear before them and answer TO any
charge of iircligious or immoral conduct
But there are matters of private judgment,
about which, no man, Church, or people,
shall control ne. Poor rs am, claim to
own conscience and while | have the
privilege of walking beneath my Heavenly
Fathers blue arch, breathing His vital air
and being warmed by the rays of His sun,
intend 80 far us circumstances will permit,
10 continue 10 exercise that liberty which
God and the Bible guarantee to me, ire
spective Of the praise or blame of all the
world. My determination in relation to
membership in a particular congregation,
has not been hastily drawn. This is not
the first time have been made TO suffer on
account of my connection with Masons.--
Indeed, in my younger days, was near
being ruined, by what ] then thought and
now think, WINS persecution on account of
Masonry. | would not willingly inflict a
wound upon the feelings of any one who
was engaged IN that affair; but do say,
never have recovered from its effects.
have been, more than once, " wounded in
the house Of my friends" and have fire.
queniIy said, with deep, heartfelt, painful
emotion, 'sn wounded spirit, who can bear'"
IN view of all these facts, say once more,
| expect 10 make the best Of my way through
the world alone, so far as Church relations
aud sympathcs are concerned.
Yours, Sc.
/. p. LANCASTER.