Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-09

undertake ectel counlulicallona
All letters business si0uid Be directed to eessrs 2. .
EAsTEz Co. and not personally to either Of the PEOPe
o-- --------
The DiTFieuIty between Rev. DR.. stead
man ard Elder SIedges
Having published the Baptist version Of the din
Guilty between Rev. Dr.. srRADNAS. the pastor ofthe
First Presbyterian Church in Memphis and Elier,
sLEDeF ,sdelegasto the late Southern Bap Sunday
School Convention in that is right and proper
that Dr.. SrEADMAs should be heard sIsO. AID se-
eOrdingIy We pFirt his reply, which We 5nd in the
Memphis papers.
DIR. sTEADNAN's REPLY 70 re COMMITTEE.
As my name has been uneeremopiously brought
before the public, in card Of Rev Mes.rs Graves,
7 Freeman and Jones. members Of the Southern Bap-
list Convention recently convened il this city, in
/ connection With occurrence st the First Presby-
terian Church on Sabbath evening las, claim the
privilege Of rejoindsF and In iustios myself and
my congregation, shall feel IN ier the painful me
eessiiy &c make few stEieures upon she statements
Of the gentlemen.
It appears that the above named committee was
sef constituted one, acting without authority from
the convention OF the Baptivt Churches in ibis
place; for have the very best reasons for saying
that the Pastors Of those churches have no cOnnex-
ion whatever with The committee and that the Eek
pIanatory card 50 far from satisfying them is not
al all in seeordancs with their views and feelings
aud that they are highly indignant as any Of as
at the outrage committed By Elder Sleigs
l The opinions and conclusions Of NE eommiitee
therefore, viii 20 simply for what they are EOrb,
and an intelligent public will easily see through
the guise and actuaAy deei ls upon whom the blame
rests. Il is evident that the iendsrest sympathies
Of the committee are with Mr. Sledge, and that their
main design in appearing in the public papers is
nog to apologize FOR uBjustihable ofe1se but 10
throw over Dir. s. Che shield Of their names aRd in
husnce, and TO cas-, Odium upon the Pastor Of the
First Presbyterian Church and people, though
Mr. s was really thS.lggrieved Oae and We the az
gressors.
Thsy do indeed, admit that 50 Elder sIedgs offend
ed Dr. Steadman, but at the same time they plain
( " intimate that DR.. S. bad no just ground Of Of
4 fense and that the whole fault Of Elder was in
making q few explanatory remarks'' in defense Of
his position. which. to say tbe most, was ouy liz
ts igdscrstOE in him, and nothing particularly CEN
l surable. Besides they speak Of him IS having BEEN
"rudely treated BY an elder Of our Oh ireh," as
though his condueL quite eEousabls uader the
! circumstances aud deserved marks Of dsapprO-
baton and condemnation. We are inclined to be
lieVe that that self constituted committee was emf
nenily wise and charitable, and that their concu>
sions are just such might be expected from inii
viduals gifted and discerning The fact is that
ossRs6ly designing 20 do justice to all parties they
really design to DO ster up Elder Sledge in his
mannery behavior and to make appear as very in
significant What is judged by myself and my whole
lions Who have heard toe true statements o. he
case, as grossly offensive and insulting. We will
ret therefore accept Of The card satisfactory
pauatiOn; and know that it is net accepted BY
the pastors and members Of thstWo Baptist Churches
in our city.
Elder s.. instead Of indulging in few e1pIaua-
tory remarks, made bis whole discourse TO consist in
trade Of abuse Of al who differed from him in opin
ion, which naturally excited the disgust Of myself
and people, and led to the Withdrawal Of myself aud
others from the sanctuary. As the pulpit had been
offered to him in Christian courtesy, and he had
grossly violated al the rules Of common deeeney, act
70 say Christian propriety, thought it the easiest
and lesst exeeptionsble way Of showing my dislp-
probation BY quietly Withdrawing Such thing |
nevsr did before 10 all ny life; and my church and
this community know me too well TO believe for q
I moment that / would so nave done without good
and sufficient reason And am happy to be assured
that l am sustained in ny course, not only BY my
church, but By all others with whom IhaVe eOnvers-
ed, not excepting the Baptist ministers Of our city
| am not responsible for what occurred after my
withdrawal from the sanctuary, bat mast say in
ali oandor that while do not approve Of the act Of
turning of the gas, it is nothing nor less than
might have been expected under the circumstances
and for that act directly no member Of ny church
or congregation is TO be blamed.
The committee, in their card, represent Elder
Drane as having stated 10 me, that Elder Siedgs had
dsavOasd designing TO iDjure the feelings Of myself
or people, and that upon this disavoWal had ex
pressed myself perfectly saished thai meeUng Wih
; Elder Sledge Wss unnecessary.
Now so far Sc reoolleei, no such disavOFal was
: reported TO me; aud had il been DONE il could Ho
E have satisfied me. For have but one opinion q
Mr. Sledge's conduct, aud that is, thai it vas dis
courteous, ungeHilemanly, and u0ehTistiln and %
amount Of explanation or apology Fould ever CON
( vince me TO The contrary The sincerity OF man
motives is no excuse for his repusiEe aOd inso!Yen
couduet especially if he processes 70 be Christian
r and Minister.
e In personal interview with Elder Drane, WHIT
called upon me 10 express his deep notification a
, what had occurred, | stated to him tha had beeI
disposed 10 blame him for sending such a 4
q Eupplv nv pulpit, when he must have known BIZ
aniCcedeuts and character He replied that he die
not personally know Elder Siedge, but that be had
been represented 10 him as q man Of talents aue a
), strong mar, aud that he thought be was Rentin;
S to eur church one Of their best men, then stated
r that l was perfectly satisfied so far as he Mr.
:. Dranel was concerned and no blame was 10 be at
J. taohed 20 him in the matter.
Elder Drane also stated that q committee Boul
call upon me- and that Twas at Ebertylto rCeeiv
- / them or not g. was most agreeable to myself
replied that did not care 10 see the committee
that bad important business to attend to and d.
not wish TO be any further troubled that did no
believe any committee could throw any more i Oh
on the subject than had already been given, an
that I, as an individual vas wiling 70 let the sut
iecL pass-but that would not answer for my peO
Il ule who knew, we're very indignant, and intense
u excited, aud would probably be alienaied frol
g. the Baptist churches in this city unless some suit
Z able disavowal we're made. Nov, this is he Plai
statement Of the case and lam persuaded ar Drsn
q. with whom have been upon terms Of the warm
est Christian intercourse, viii confirm an has
here said. r'-7- srr--..
This, therefore, does not look like heing perfect
. sdigfe9, the committee say, with Elder Sisdge
Cd disavoEaI and apslOgy; but puts new Phase Upo
in the thing slt0gsfhCr. l - l.l. s1il8.l5 ~ re
Again, tho committee say that "ihey sincarsl
- regret that Elder Sledge was misunderstood" &
be- Now, there was no misunderstanding in Ire eas
not the least, They will at least give credt 4
& some intelligence and discernmenl. We have sens
cough, hope, TO know when q man behaves Ike
b gentlsman aad Chistian, and When he does 70
aAd when his language offensive and insulting
Otherwise We'd not uisuRderstand Elder Sled
His sims and designs were Eco apparent to be mi
q understood by men Of even culinary disoerRneat On
!, intelligence, and We shall not yield cur judgmeI
y and conclusions to those Of that selF-cOnstitnte
nd committee, however sage and judigious they me
ed be. And that an not mistaken, Is evident fro
Cd the fsct that the convention appointed speech
81 COMMITTEES % investigate the subiasf Who hsFin