Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-06-08

ent to httend, considering the ptaannesS OF my
letters in letting you know just where I stood.
Had there been no previous examination, by G, ,m-
rnittee, of my views the case would have been
different accordingly thought (knowing where
consistency as an ecclesiastical body would force
youl that my presence might be sourse Of en-
barassment to your brethren, having a natural
delicacy and cared not to wound my feelings, and
the strong workings of human sympathy might be
an obstacle in the way of coming to the conclu-s
sion. YOU finally adopted. therefore thought it
expedient to stay away, that you might have per-
feet freedom in disposing of my case.
You expressed friendly desire to have an in
tervew with me at some other time. There is a
desire on my part, for such christian
interview, have no organization to hinder full
flow of love towards those who differ from me in
opinion, and be assured, shall allow no delica-
cy on my part, shall meet you and the other
members of your Presbytery, with an open coun-
tenance, providing you lay no obstacle in the way
If your bretheren being convinced of my honesty
and candor, offer to me the right hand of fellow
ship, as still christian brother in the ministry,
as they are bound to do in spite of the formal par
tition wall they have erected between me and
the church, they will surely in consistency with
nv theory of erecting no such walls meet with
hearty welcome, SO far as consider them hon.
est and candid in their views, and just as soon
fail to be influenced by such liberal feelings of
e, L
hope YOU may one day comprehend the broadness
of my position, the difficulty is, am too latitude
narian for the church. / hope that our brief cor
respondence maynot be an end Of our acquaint-
ance, and would offer the same petition you did
for me. The Lord guide you and your bretheren
into all truth and make you useful in its promul-
cation and defense. yours truly,
- - ~ E. HALE.
In order to show the justice of my criticism
will exhibit the extract with what proceeds, SO
that the reader can Judge the meaning of these
things which, as it stands is very blind, and
leaves room for many ungrounded suspicious and
false notions. / wish the reader to understand
that all that write was read to the Presbytery.
sThere is no reason for any delcaey on your
part, or on the part of your Presbytery, in apply
ing to me for information in regard to my views,
feelings, or purposes, have always in the eyes
of those first acquainted with my character, main
tanned an openheartedness uncommon to men in
general. Indeed this is one of my most prominent
characteristics, endeavor to maintain my christ
ian liberty, and in order to do this never shun in
vestgatonT am very free in my approach to infdels
and to all those regard as errorists. Nay, I do
not even refuse to approach the DEVIL or the spr-
itual emissaries from the internal regions, if cir
cumstances which have necessary connection
with the eternal good of my neighbor, seems to
demand it. This freedom leaves me open to mis-
representation, slander, and abuse. It is this
of freedom, leading me to fsprove all
things and hold fast to that which is rue that has
rendered me unpopular with the church, together
with what consider plain unequivocal decla-
ration of what must regard as SIN, whether. in
he church or out of it, popular or unpopular, re-
,ulting from sectariansm, religious pride, from
any source whatsoever. regard it my special
auty at this time to 'fcry aloud and spare not to
lift up my voice like trumpet, and show Gods
IL o,l <hoh Sc t.
cob their sins.'' To cry aloud from the watch
tower of Gods spiritual zion, to blow the trum-
pet of warning. This l have done, God being
my Judge and not man. But no man can perform
such duties and avoid opposition. The bands
Of selfshness are too strong, the popularity and
worldly conformity of the church, is too great, as
have learned by most painful experie nee, for
by performing these duties, have lost my reputa-
ion as minister, lost my common means Of sup
oort and have been obliged to resort other means
besides preaching the gospel to support myself
md dependant family, (now comes in the ex-
racD these things I regarded as special divine
,royidences, calling me to take an Independent
tand and preach the gospel free, or without charge
,ome under no human organization for support,
make no distinction as far christian character
s concerned, between the so called orthodox
churches, regarding myself as connected with
Gods spiritual church, which is exhibited par
tally from all the formal churches, regarding
ny call to preach the gospel from God alone, to
whom alone am responsible.
This will show every candid reader the injustice
If the intimation, that my "treatmsnt acas the re-
.ut of mn change of vie,cs," without any further
and it is strange that the Presbytery
should gain such singular apprehension from
such letter.
will now present one other extract from the
same letter, which will cause in the candid reader
still greater surprise, that the Pressytery should
such sentiment considering the
plainness of my letter, SO plain that misrepre-
sentation would seem impossible.
"Haying thus according to my best ability
your questions, will go further, and
state to you my general position, which was led
to take by the evident providences of God. Not
the treatment have exhibited, /
used every erertion IN my po,oer, to labor in
preacing the gospel under my organization. OBJ
tanning no assistance from Portage Presbytery.
/ endeayored to defend myself sought loca-
ton, and used all diligence to seek every oppor-
tunity, but in every trial I made for one month,
During which time preached to full and attentive
congregations of four different denominations)
some providence would hinder me from forming
any engagement; which made me exceedingly
melancholy, not knowing how should provide
for my family, and still preach the gospel, 7oved
my organization, choose to labor in the usual
way, and recover my lost reputation, but every
opportunity failed me. A question then arose, a
great question Of duty. What shall I do, shall l
give up the sacred ministry, because every op.
portunity for laboring under my organization fails
me, or shall take an independent stand, and
making no distinction on account of denomina-
tional differences, shall preach the gospel With
out chrnge, to any and to allwho will hear, and
trust in God for support! The command, 90
thou and preach my gospel,was pressing upon me,