Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-06-20

my language was so different from your rcpresen-
tation that he would have come 10 me with some
decree of confidence had more entertainment been
needed.
ILL., None of the "votares' of Uniycrsalism re-
members being in panic at aught you said. Seek
ing to hear you, subject TO n candid review was
Indicative of anything but fright. And while you
would not have thought of preaching against Hin
doc idolatry and sin in your Brattlcboro pulpit
Won did less sensible thing in attacking univer-
salism before Methodists when you could have met
the Uniycrsalists themselves face to face in their
own church.
". Now for the defence of that "most dishonor-
nblc part of my performance" Let us go back
little In my letter to the editor Of the Phoenix
named as my purpose in writing the correction of
"scyoral mistakes current in the public mind"
wanted n few things "distnctly understood in con-
tradiction Of reports apparently put in circulation
I did not say they cere) to conceal" tho facts in
the case. These reports were injurious to US and
we did not feel called upon by any principle of JUS
tice to remain before the public sinners in mat
ter in which we had been wholly sinned against
Mark mel did not charge you or any body else
with the authorship of the reports. Now look ut
the cone thing more' which closes your first letter
to me. After mentioning my statement of the ex-
istence Of the reports though you doubted its
truth You inform the public that-"your people
knew nothing of the affair at the time-you con-
ferred with none Of them about it, and so far ms
yon know the first they knew Of the matter was by
way of flying reports which must have had their
common centre in myself The first impression
left on the public mind by these words was-that
you had snid nothing to any body except myself
and your two brethren upon the subject This is
something more than improbable as you and both
know. The second impression was, that had act
cd either the fool or the knavc-fool to circulate
reports to my own and society's injury, or knave
to do so to make an for bringing you before
the public Whether this was dishonorable and
did me no injustice will leave for you and others
to decide. In answering your "one thing more"
in my last, instead of charging you with making a
false impression, merely stated two facts in n
manner to convey my own honest impression-two
facts leading to a question which is mol "promptly
answered" in your letter before me, and which
intended rs a gentle hint that had other facts in
my possession. These other you give me no occa-
sion to use; but your account Of those already
with the public is confused in statement and pre-
sents them in wrong relations to each other ia
time, | will clear away the dust and place the
horse before the cart.
! You brought the message to my house about
o'clock, Saturday, p. NJ. | was then a recipient
T asking questions, not daring to act lest I should
act as a mere man ungovcrned by Christian prin'
. ciple. told you would answer at the post Office
| at O'Clock. saw your awkward position AM
presumed that you did, and said in the Office that
was sorry you had taken such course as It woulC
G excite much bad feeling. Amer further converse
ton you said ''the matter Of the message was be
a tween us four and not for the public" I took n,
n notice of ii at the time; but before night, seeinI
you enter house near mine ard wishing you t.
understand my course, I went to you and, calln,
your attention TO your remark about the publicit.
Of the affair, told you 'that my people expccte'
i Ms.i.sdist prsaahnR in their church and that
Is must tell them the truth in explanation of thei
C disappointment" Then you said you were Willing
70 and that your brethren would have no objections
n The impression gave the public was honestly m
own-although it may have been erroneous; an
$ as you affirm that it was so let it pass.
: V. You say that "you draw fresh rapture" of
1t June morning "from the wholesome expectatio
10 that you will live and die an invetcrate enemy {
10 Universalism." Now you arc not an enemy to til
% doctrine that there is God infinite in power wis
If dom, justice and goodness to the doctrine tina
N God has made revelation of his character, wi
s. and puposes-of the duties, responsibilities an
y destiny Of man in the Bible. Yet these the tw
;e fundamental doctrines Of Universalism in defenC
Of which the denomination has contributed sever,
t. books You are not an enemy to these nor to man
" other things in which Universalist Christians agr,
" with the other protestant sects. Ifyou are an ali
* veterate enemy to anything in Uniyersalism you
h. enmty must be towards the difference between
~ and your faith. The most prominent difference
s. that which gives US our distinctive name. We b.
We lieye that the infinitely powerful, wise, just an
~ good Father has not given aud will not give ben
I'd to any creature that shall not finally issue in ho
u joy. Every being must thank God ultimately f
err existence. Now you believe that many souls wi
I'd ultimately so thank God, and your hatred of I'm
as versalsm must be chiefly towards tie unirersaIi
- of good which you hold to be only partial. In
ce fresh June morning, the flushed sunbeams dancir
in the dew-drops that gem the foliage or nestle
&c the blossoms, the birds making the air tremulo
with their ecstacy, you sit recipient of the floc
of enrapturing influence pressed by the great Spin
through every pore of surrounding nature al
ng "draw fresh rapture" from cnmity to the thong
on that happiness will be ultimately universal. Lis
ening. you hear your child laughing in its mother
he arms responsive to the bssful smile and caress
Is the mothers love. You turn and gaze upon yo
loved with hushed breath till your auiyeri,
re lip and moistened eye tell of the swelling raptu
of of home afections-then you "draw fresh raptur,
GU from hatred to the thought that you cannot be
ng father Of a child to whom existence may be an
til finite and endless evil-that you cannot be instr
ia mental in giving life to being that may eternal
n curse the day of its birth and groan towards hea
n en- its increasing agony through limitless ages
ny the dark strainof Young
nv "Pather Of mercies why from silent Earth
Dd'st thou awake and me into birth
On Tear me from quiet-Fayish me from night
ya And make thankless Of thy light