Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-09-22

COM M u MO AT I o " s.
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
RELIGIONS CONTROVERSY.

MEssRs. EDITORS Seeing anarticle in the Aa-
rsrtser. noticing the subject whci, heads this COM
muuication, and expressing much concern Tor the
supposed state of things in Greenville cannot re-
fran from correcting the impression which it is
calculated to make have not seen the Southern
Baptist from which you seem to have dedneed 'he
conclusion that very dire and dsagrecabe con-
rover.y exists in the religious Of this
town, and that bad state Of feeling among us IS the
consequence Allow me to say, do not think
there is 4 just foundation fir such an opinion.
am member OF the Baptist Church in Greenvle,
and have full opportunity Of judging, so far as that
denomination is concerned. No great excitement
that am aware of. certainly bitterness of temper
or undue heat prevails among them, towards other
denominations, from the eminent Pastor, who now
breaches to the Church. down, to the humoIes'
individual member. 1t is true the Episcopal, Meth
olis and Presbyterian Ministers have been preach
ing acly against immersion, aud i'll favor OF infant
baptism as they call it, and it may be that their zeal
is freshly aroused by the baptism Of per'on who
was for many years member OF PredobaptIs'
Church. But opposition TO immersion and advo-
cacy Of infant sprnkling s!nothing new or strange
with them, and nothing peculiar to this place and
this time. 1t is also true that Mr.. FuEMAS iutends
to deliver some discourscs the subject OF i'np-
tism, and you know that gentleman well enough t.
conclude with me that there will be nothing un,
christian in temper performance on his part
do not charge that the other Ministers have mani
tested my thing Of the kind in their performances
whilst of course differ from thor conclusions.
Religious controversy may be conducted profita
bly,, and il is in vain to expect there will not be con
,roversy, so long as radical differences exist among
the professors Of religion. Instead Of dcpreca,in.
all dispute about religious matters, my own opinion
is the world would act wiser to let it take its course
and to strive to judge impartialy who is isht an'
most conformcd to the truth of Revelation. Thu
truth will always gain by free discussion, and ever.
sermon is to extent q controversy for o
against it. When Paul preached the resurrection
OF the Saviour and the whole Gospel which in h,
own language is the wisdom of God and III
power of God," it seemed . very vain, silly am
mischicvous courtesy to the Roman disnatary, an
no doubt they concluded when they saw the rage q
Jews about the same matter that " both Pariie
were equally to blame." But no one has rigl
TO decide in a mere spirit of worldly courtesy q
censurc that 'both sides are equally to blame" j
any religious dispute until he ascertains that I'll
doctrine advocated by. .both5se equally ,rrOng. Pei
haps the great fault Of the age is that religious me
are too tame in their eachiagsand too little agsrc'
sive in producing the word. Boldness Of sprec
and frarlcssncss in attaeking: " the traditions
men" and errors in faith,l. practice, is not incom
.Jenn the i'ap,Isr, Paul aud aszuc pigty=z tcachc,
and prophets. ~ .-;7 r.