New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-05-04
The Bible Convention at Hartford.

To De Editor Of TAsE Y. Tribune.
SIR very few words to be necessary in reply 70
communication in your paper Of the Goth inst over the
signature Of" ONE THEM meaning Of the Clergy Of
Hartford in relation to the proposed Bible Convention 70 be
held the above city the cd 3D. 4h and 9Th Of June next
After admitting that iAdct9 e duty Of The Gerry 70
mat erny demand made from respectable quarter tor
pyof of he raidity Of h. claims ST uD IN bhaf Of TIE
B" the writer proceeds 20 give ire why the
Clergy cannot without compromising their proper
sefrepect take up the controversy and meet the chA
lenge thrown out
will give brief replies to these reason after first re
moving serious into which the gentleman has fallen
in the outset From the frequent recurrence OF the terms
challenge" "eholerged poyfy' champions, to'nsn'
and "fghL il is evident that one Of ueH anticipates
something much belgerent than warranted by any
Interpretation Of the circular issued bv the Committee
Under pledge Of the good faith OF the Committee
Il is kind aternsl invitation to their fellow men to 81
down like brethren in communion before the altar OF m
telectual and spiritual freedom free interchange Of
thought for the correction Of by which patty soever
entertained"
such il the language Of the circular and such believe
to be the honest sentiments Of the Committee. .,
In then do they wish their fellow men 10 reg ara
them as toemen the Convention fghL or the can
as "ok0ieHge.'
But to the consideration of the five reasons:
let The chaen ging party have taken upon themselves
all the arrangements without any attempt 70 ascertain
the wishes Of the other parties According 10 the reverend
geniemans code Of honor ~ M challenged party o
he righfo Ordrfn9 tie dais Of he fight This Is already
answered as no fight was contemplated by the call but
does the gentleman that the next Bible Convention
if their punco i attended TO- the Clergy OF Hartford OF
sion
3D. ave have r. assurance that any of the great cham
pions of mfdely will be present al the CONVENTION
foe,aan Tony Of bieir STEEL would suggest that thus
modest apprehension may be removed during the progress
Of the Convention Moreover understand that some, at
least of those named by the writer himself as the great
champions expect to be present
3D. The meeting is called by peculiar class Of unbe
levers whose Conventions have been OF sueh character
disgust persons of correct taste whether believers
or unbelievers.
4th The mode Of argument pursued by Mr. Davis and
his associates such reasonable man can reply TO-
" II hcy tHH noasense IL IS charged II he Spirit.
The will apply 20 both OF these objections
If by the term peculiar class is meant those persons
known mediums the gentleman mind may be easily
relieved as very few of that class among the one hun
dred and which have been sent IN from the
different States Of the Union as signatures to the CAL soon
10 be issued His fears mast have been greatly wrought
upon have construed the language Of the circular into
call for COnreqfoR Of MediHHns The names OF those
who have sgned their expectation TO take part IN the dis
course will b. given in the call and the Rev Mr. ONk oil
them may assured that each individual will hold him
self and not the spirits responsible for his own utier~nce
"Are Mssrs. Dati Green and Donaldson The m'Hto con-
duct such discussi0Hi"
"Ast Mr. Darts schoolbarniog an not ilf0rmSd"
"MsSrS Green and D0Haffs0H De'bre make no Preta-
sion ohe character If learned men, y boag 10 H9tIaTge
and respectable class Of citizens property teaefidyn ~ Tho
read amt gite their mother ton INT are qu uc9rHed
as reasonable then 10 erpecf that men rho hare mate
these subjects The stHdics Of their hrts should turn 0sfc
from thar dailg dutieS You viii pardon me, Mr. Editor
for quoting large the gen;lemans Justly has he
reserved his best argument for the ast IS unansweraoe
Mr. Davis hos "schoolearning The other members
of the committee only "laymeD, whose self conceed
ignorance" b. made them suppose their plain practc
would be of any avail In the consideration oil
this subject.
But LET e speak word in the ear of the Rev gentle
man The time has passed sir when such modest assump
by the clergy of the exclusive right to conduct ana
decide such discussions will pass current.
Laymen everywhere have somehow obtained the notion
that much of this "schOOlearning, and this bur0wng
amid musty tones of human lore but muddys mems brains
and turns their eyes from the volume OF nature ever bright
and new
One of the "uneamed' of the committee was formerly
an earnest efficient member of the denomination with
your reverend self and TO his zeal and beray the gooiy
CITY of New York is indebted among other things for ITS
broadway Tabernacle and years since the notori-
Gus conversion of the Chatham Iheater into Church
Earn st and Jealous STILL but having different views OF
therevered Bible he invites in beautifully chosen language
kind and cOncilatOry, his former cOadut,rs 10 friendly
consideration of its origin authenticity and influence.
Do your principles sir permit you to meet such an one
Only with terms of apprObrum and contempt
Hartford ApTH5o, 1858 LAYsAS