Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-23
The Church Controversy-Messrs.
Wishart and Bickham.

WHEELING TOWNSHIP, Oct. 72d IS.
To the Editor ofAe Belmont Chronicle:
In your paper of the 9th inst, | saw
communication under the signature Of tn
Rev. William Wishart of New Athens, Har
rison County, Ohio, which presume ha
reference to me. In that communication
Mr.. Wishart states "that be has been credi
bly, informed that report has been put il
circulation in and about St. Clairsvill,
which he deems Que to himself anG espe
cially to the cause of truth and righteousness
to correct" The report as understood BY
him is, that during the late communion be
he should have stated that no person could
consistently commune in our church unless
he is in favor Of dissolution of the Union. u
This report DIR. Wishart undertakes to
I proIvunce false, as making him state no!
only what he does not believe, but grossly to
misrepresent the principles of the church OF
which he is q member. That such senti-
nent misrepresents the principles Of the
church is probable. but that it does not mis-
represent the principles Of Mr.. Wishart l
have the best means in the world of know
ing, if what he says. is any indication OF
what he believes.
Now, Mr.. Editor, deem it due to myself
aud, as Mr.. Wishart has remarked, to the
cause of truth and Righteousness to affirm
what he denies and also that OF his three
friends called in aid in rescuing him from
position which he does not wish to occupy
before the public, but only before his own
people. One of these same gentlemen whose
signature is to Nr. Wishart's article, re-
marked to me when talking upon the SUBJ
ject, that / should not have told what Mr..
Wishart had said; he did not condemn me
for telling what was false, but for giving pub
licity to what Mr.. Wishart had said Mr.. w.
had no respect for my feelings when he made
aPublicintimation from the pulpit which was
understood by the congregation to apply to
me. considered the remark Mr.. Wisharlsshad
made SO reasonable that | believed il nv
duty % proclaim it.
The certificate furnished by Mr. Wishart's
three friends states that they did not hear the
remark. | suppose there are thousands that
did not hear the remark, and that never heard
him open his mouth, who could give him
the same certificate that they Hid not
hear it. The remark was not made in the
pulpit it was made to me, and in CONVEX
sation with me; and if my recollection was
not distinct, the charge would not have been
made.
But, before proceed further, will state
Wishart, as above stated, is not exactly the
language he used, but in order that those
who may read this article may have clear
understanding of the whole matter, | will
give brief history of the whole case. Per-
haps you will recolect that it was annouced
in the Gaseiie & Citizen some time in Au-
gust last for the Democracy of the county
10 convene upon a certain day of that month
at the town of St. ClairsviIle, for the pnr-
pose Of selecting candidates Cor the severa
Offices, &c. Mr.. Wishart and his session
fixed upon the Sabbath Immediately after the
convention, for the communion in their con-
gregation ant know they would in all pro-
liability fix upon Friday the very day of the
convention, as the fast day, preparatory to
commune; and, as had desire to attend
the Convention, thought it nv duty to
make known to Mr.. Wishart and his Sc :
sion, that the Convention would hold forth
upon Friday of that week, accordingly did
so, mentioned it TO three members of the |
session, and to Mr.. Wishar; also, and at
the same time requested, that the first day
be changed to Thursday, SO that ! could at
tend the Convention without violating the
rules of the church, recollect the Seceder
church requires, the fast days, to be strictly
observed. The session was convened, and
the subject of changing the fast day was
consulted upon, and finally agreed not to
change the fast day, as it would be aiding
and assisting me, in pursuing sinful course,
and acting with a sinful party-now would
not have complained had it not been that
Mr.. Wishart and his session, did change the
fast day last year, to accommodate them
selves to 60 to Ford and Chase mass meet
ing.
Mr.. Wishart and member of his Ses.
sion wasI either appointed or SO agreed
know not which, to be at nv
house the next day, to try and prevail On
me not to 60 to the Convention. That me m
Der SO informed me, Immediately to which |
| replied if | was spared until Friday |
would be at the Convention, and that did |
not wish either himself or Mr.. Wishart to |
trouble ME, as would be engaged, but in
the evening when leaving for home Mr.
Wishart and this same Elder came and Mr. |
Wishart complained that was so unwilling
to converse. replied tina: was not unwill- |
ing to converse at any proper time, but was
engaged for the next two days. He then
insisted that would come to the meeting
house on Saturday, and have free social
conversation with him and the Session.
replied would consider upon it. How.
ever, went to the meeting house on Satur-
day and we all got together at which time
stated my views and reasons for going to
the Convention on the day before instead ofl
observing it as Il e fast day When | was
without any member of Session having
opened his lips. At the close of the above |
Mr.. Wishart commenced questioning me,
and continued for considerable time on
various political topics--I permitted him SO
to do that he should not complain that | as
unwilling to converse, at the conclusion ofI
the, above, was the time he made the remarks,
which he now seeks to deny aud which do
assert-"Mr. B." said he, 81 hold that no
man can be a consistent Seceder without
being in favor of dissolution of the Union. "
| replied, if SO could not be Seceder any
longer. He made the above remark in re-
ply to something had said in regard to the
Union. then retired and the Session was
organized, and had some action lon the sub.
ject which Mr.. Wishart proclaimed publicly
from the.PulPit on that evening, which /
believe was almost as ;reasonable as the re-
mark above alluded to. Although | could