The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-06-08

chains, to be very inconsistent @ tkat the
church might see their true condition and retuoys
the obstacles in the way of their advancement.
MY prayer is that the great blindness which now
seems SO prevalent in the church NAV be removed
With much esteem and affection
remain ever yours,
E. HALE.
p. s.. Our word of apology for not attend;,r
your meeting of Presbytery. On further consid.
Grafton after my promise, deemed it inexpedi.
ent to attend considering the plainness OF nv
letters in letting you know just where stood
Had there been no previous examination, by COM
mittee of nv views the case would have been
different. I accordingly thought (knowing where
consistency as an ecclesiastical body would force
you) 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-
sion, you finally adopted. I therefore thought il
eXpedient to stay away. that you might have per.
feet freedom in disposing of my case.
You expressed friendly desire to have IN In
tervIew with me at some other time. There is a
reciprocal desire on my part for such christian
interview l 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 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,
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
my theory of erecting such sraffs meet with u
hearty welcome, SO far as | consider them hon
est and candid in their views, and just as soon as
fail to be influenced by such liberal feelings of
love, shall destroy the effort am making,
hope you may one day comprehend the broadnesa
of my position, the difficulty is, am too latitud.
marian for the church. + hope that our brief cor
respondence may not be 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 promuI-
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 deiicacy 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-
tained an noPenheartedness nepnanlon, TO- men in
general Indeed, this is one OF my most prominent
characteristics, endeavor to maintain my christi
ian liberty, and in order to do this never slun in
vestigation,I very free in my approach to infdes
and to all those regard as errorsts. Nay 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, SANDER, and abuse. It is this
characteristic of freedom, leading ssprove all
things and hold fast to that which is true that has
rendered me unpopular with the church, together
with what consider plain unequvocal decia-
| ration of what must regard as SIN, whether in
the church or out of it, popular or unpopular,
sulting from sectarianism, religious pride. from
any source whatsoever. I regard it my special
duty at this time, to "ery aloud and spare not to
lift up my voice like a trumpet, and show Gods
people their transgresssions and the house of Ja-
cob their sins" Focry aloud frona the watch
tower of Gods spiritual zion, to blow the trim
pet of warning This have done, God being
my Judge and not maM But no man can perform
such duties and avoid opposition. The bands
of selfishness too strong, the popularity and
worldly conformity of the church, is great, as
have learned by most painful experie nee, for
by performing these duties, have lost my reputa
ton as minister, lost my common means of sup,
port and have been obliged to resort other means
besides preaching the gospel to support myself
and dependant family, (now comes in the ex-
tract) these things regarded as special divine
/
stand and preach the gospel free without charge
come under no human organization for supports
make distinction as far as christian character
| is 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
my call to preach the gospel from God alone, To-
whom alone am responsible.
This will show every candid reader the Injustice
Of the ntimation, that my treatment ieas the re-
rallt of my change of vaecs," without any further
comment, and tits strange that the Presbytery.
should gain such singular apprehension from
such letter.
| Twill now present one other extract from the
same letter, which will cause in the candid reader
still greater surprise, that the Pressytery should
countenance such sentiment considering the
planness of my letter, SO plain that a misrepre.
sentation would seem impossible.
Having thus according to my best ability
answered your questions, | will GO further, and
state to you my general position, which was led
to take by the evident providences of God. Not
withstandng the treatment I have exhibited
used every erertion IN my po,eer. to labor in
preaclng the gospel under my organization. Oh.
tanning no assistance from Portage Presbytery,
I endeavoreh 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 IRON forming
any engagement, which made me exceedingly
melancholy, not knowing how should provide
for my family, and still preach the gospel, louei
my organization, choose to labor in the usual
way, and recover my lost reputation, but every
opportunity failed me. question then arose,
great question Of duty Whdt shall 1 do, shall
give up the sacred ministry because every OPP
portunty for laboring under my organization fails
me, or shall take an independant stand, and
making no distinction on account of denomlna-
tonal differences, shall preach the gospel with.
out chrnge, to any and to all who will hear. and
trust in God for support. The command, go
thou and preach my gospel,was pressing upon me,
and loved the blessed gospel: The call was too
distinct to be sighted, and if preached at all,
must preach it independent of organization. I
yielded to the call and the struggle was over, my
mind has been at rest ever since There has
been no important question ofduty unsettled,sinee
that time. have struggled along, endeavoring to-