Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-04-16
Henry G. Wright 500 "Essthef.'

upon the lectures which Mr.. Wright had re-
Gently given in Ellsworth This has elected
q reply, which we publish to-day, with some
comments of our own. We might have said
to sLuthcr,'' that wo could have no contro-
versy with him, because his understanding of
what Mr.. Wright taught, and ours, do not
agree; and with ali due Difference to him,
ws had rather trust our own hearing as to
what was said, and our own Judgment as to
the legitimate conclusions to be drawn there
from, than to trust his hearing ard his .iujg-
resent him, or do not understand his position,
he shall have space to state our errors. But
we have no idea of taking another mans
opinions for his. Or, in other words, we
commented upon Mr.. Wrishts teachings,
and not 'Luther's.' But, in accordance
With our usual liberal practice, we checrfully
give the friend of Mr. Wright as much space
as VIC occupied.
Q.) We did not call Mr.. Wrgh. an Gin
fdel. an atheist" or "blasphemer. -
We let others draw their own Conclusions
We understood him, however to deny tho
inspiration Of the Scriptures, and their d.
vine origin. He also denied the divinity of
Christ, and considered it immaterial whether
such person ever lived or not; but for him
self thought that the character thus drawn
was not an ideal, but real one, whose ex-
ample We ought to initiate.
(2.) In our opiuion, faith without works
is dead; and man who withdraws from all
actiev earnest ami effective labor, in this ''life
struggle" except talking, because man is
not So good as he should be, and governments
do not correspond t. his ideal of them, is an
"impractcable, visionary" schem.r. We
believe in the ''power of trath, and the
"mighty influence of living IDEAS" We also
believe that when the mechanics tool is dull,
that it may be sharpened, if it is applied to
srindstone, and some one turns The crank.
We think good deal Of those who turn the
crank. This drudgery Mr.. W. leaves to
others.
(S) "Stalest and baldest of charges, that
Of impractieabilty, &C., &C." The govern
ments and the institutions of the world. arc
now, and always have been, better than their
practical workings evidenced. This comes
fro m the best class of men having but little
to do with them, and the weakness incident
to human nature. Correct these, and good
is done in the right direction. If these pur-
er men, like Mr.. W, do not participate in
this branch of duty in the ''life-strugglc, p"
they are to blame. If these 'impracticable
Wrights, and Fillmores had cast their indu-
once and votes for Fremont, as the best thing
| to be done at that time, Mr.. Buchanan would
have remained at Wheatland, the bred Scott
decis ION would not have been given, Leeomp-
ton never heard of, and the governm ens
placed on the right track on this question
Of slavery.
az His testimony was in "lp'scrvice ~
Men teach by example; and his testimony
n this direction was, that he never voted
against this Gigantic eyil' but once in his
life. His sledge-hammcrs beat the creations
Of his own vivid Imagination; and the law
of the land has few soverer penalties than
that awarded to the parricidc. 1t is not
Chris tianity, spurious or real, that rears the
weak deiences of Slavery. Slavery comes
from mans love Of power, his pride and his
avarice. No system of Christianity teaches
that Slavery is right, per Sc; timidty may,
for fearof the consequences, consent to hold
on to it, or do no more than taxi, We grant
Churchmen, many of them, uphold it, to
their shame and the disgrace of Christianity.
This comes of their no: being half as good as
the system of religion they profess. 1t is the
fault Of human nature, not of creed.
(5) Heaven forbid that we should say
aught against him for denouncing slavery,
or the race of doughfaces.
10y We thought he constructed p-ocru.-
team bad for the religionists, and "clippcd"
the bible, and all its teachings, as we'll as
the institutions of the world, to make them
fit his "iron bed"
"a IF We understood Mr.. W. correctly,
he was tolerant to those who did not fully
agree with him; but at the same time he
preached against ''fghting" at all. He is
a no-government man, NONRESIDENT &c.
If Luther" wishes to be "counted in the
company who think they can build pyramids
by beginning at the apex, We are sorry for
it..
(S) "Luther" here gives ne his aspirations.
Perhaps Mr.. Wright's do not agree with
his. Goldsmith made bis village preacher
not only preach, but "lead the ray to
"briyhter ,corlds.''
(Y "Director Of public ssntiment."-
The men of the Revolution commenced to
act, when they commenced to talk and write
about self government.
DOLLY We think we did not misundsr-
stand the lecturer. lie taught infersntiaIly,
mot in terms. to think not of God. but
wholly Of man-.o follow the teachings of
the inner monitor alone, taking it for grant
ed that that teaching is the true way. We
think this is not o "perfect edifce." Chris
tianity not only comprehends all that love
for the "brotherhood of man. which .Lu-
ther" speaks of, but it teaches love to God,
as the Supreme Good of the universe. All
tho correct ideas Of duty to man, which Luz
u