Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-10-09
Republican State Ticket.


II viii De fecodecEeu tnAt az tue lNe ConNf0
tion Of the American Mi ssionary Association, in
this city, full report Of the proceedings ofwhch
occupied large portion of our columns at the
time, the Hon. Eli Thayer spoke at some lei 9Th,
and, in the course of his speech. urged the i'm
pOrtance and probability of sending forth or.
gained colonies to aid in promoting the objects
of the Association. For the purpose of further
considering and discussing Mr.. Thayer's plan o
operations, a meeting was agreed upon to be held
at the vestry Of the Union Church the next fore.
noon (0ct. ~ after the adjournment of the Con-
venton. The meeting was held accordingly, and
many of the leading members of the Association
and others attended.
In paragraph, the next day, in reference te
the proceedings, on information gathered from
those who attended. we stated that "Rev. Chas
w. Torrey presided, and that speeches favoring
the general features OF Mr.. Thayer's plan were
made by Rev. S. S. Jocelyn and Lewis I appan of
New York, Rev. John G. Fee of Kentucky,
Rev. George Allen of this city, and others The
purposes and objects of Mr.. Thayers scheme were
very highly commended, but not all the particu-
lar ideas he advanced" The obvious meaning of
this, of course. is, that the speakers alluded to
"hghly commended" the objects and purposes'
of the scheme, which are, the spread of truth,
Christianity, and freedom, which every Christian
is in favor, but that they did not all favor all
the particular ideas advanced by Mr. ThayeY~ in
his speech advocating his plan. We did not state
which speaker it was that objected to any of the
ideas Of Mr.. Thsyer Rev. George Allen of this
city was one of4'1ese. The following is an alb
strsct Of bis remarks. prepared by himself:
Ny ChairmGn--I have but a few words to
sayr:I The ingenious theory of Mr.. Thayer for
evaneelizing the world contains a truth, a great
truth, radical truth. 1t also contains an error
a great error, a radical error. His plan, as he
presented and explained it, yesterday, before the
American Missionary Association. goes to take
Christianity, in her blessed work, off from the
foundation OF the prophets and apostles, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone It
distrusts and disparages the gospel. 1t denies
the great principle Of its adaptation to the sus-
capabilities Of mans nature and condition, an
adaptation devised and provided by infinite wis
dom, having in it nov as much virtue ever; as
capable under God, of achieving great results
in the future it has achieved in the past BY as
simple means and BY like methods"
Mr.. Fee was enthusiastic in his commendation
Of Mr.. Thayer's plan, and made an eloquent
speech in its favor.
Mr. Tappan said he did see advantages in the
fearful Of its Undertaking. influences and ex-
pressed little faith in anything short of pure
Christian effort.
Mr.. Jocelyn spoke rather favoIably of Mr..
Thsyers plan.
The purport Of the remarks of Mr.. Thayer, al
the meeting, having been very grossly misrepre
scented by a writer in the Transcript of last Wed.
nesday. That writer said
"The upshot of the honorable gentleman's
scheme for evaBgelizing the world was to bid
good bye to the existing and all past methods of eff
fecting tint blessed object to dispense wsth all
charitable contributions, as now solicited and Of
tered, to overthrow the entire fabric now reaIed
TO demolish the busy machinery now in opera
lion, setting up in their stead system Of univer-
sal speculation in houses and land in all imple-
ments Of indhstTs and civilization, transpanting
into all chimes, and establishing among all ma.
tons COLONIES of the highest style of man as spec
linens and models for the contemplation and con
version Of the world. He secuted the practice SO
near TO so many Christian hearts, of contributing
their gifts OF mercy for the salvation of the world
denouncing as shame that Christianity should
go begging, declaring her TO be rich for such
degradation, though, as it would seem, not at
all too we'll of to go a specializing the world
over"
To show the falsity Of the above representa-
tion, or rather caricature, OF Mr. Thayers speech
son the occasion referred to, we have taken pains
to obtain {" faithful outline" of it, from rea
bic source, as follows;
Mr.. Thayer stated that he had no purpose or
desire to do atOay or dispense toith the ordinary
means of missionary effort, and the methods OF
contributions employed for its support, now in
use, where such were best adapted to accomplish
the desired purpose. But he did see innumerable
81
plish thousand times more than isolated indi-
vidual influence.
Mr.. Thayer stated that while Christianity was
now obliged to accept the petty contributions
given to her, he saw reason why she sh ould
not avail herself Of all the instrumentalities
which she had created.
Does this look like bidding good by to the ex-
listing and all past methods Of missionary enter.
prise' 1t distinctly asserts the contrary.
To coTobOrate the truth of our statement Of
the purpoTt Of the remarks made at the meeting
referred to BY the different speakers above, we
give the following extract from the report led
itOrial) contained in the Transcript of the next
morning (Oct. p;
"Mr Tnayer submitted his plan somewhat in
detail. taking the ground that it was a right and
duty to employ not only the spiritual but the
physical elements OF Christianity, in promoting
the great work of the worlds conversion. 1t was
the highest order Of Christianity that secured the
greatest value Of property, and that invested the
representatives with the greatest power and in
auence over those who possessed an inferior
Christianity and he believed the former had a
right to use the instrumentalities which she her,
sell created. His proposition Of organized effort
in establishing colonies at favorable points,
which should exert healthful and efficient infu-
ence ID favor OF temperance freedom, and pure
christianity, and In whose policy he would not
have the principle Of gain aupersede that of spir
nual lie ana power, was clearly and ear.
nestly set forth. The subject was freely dis !.
eus'ed ~ several gentlemen, among whom were
Rev. Messrs. Brewer Of Stockbridpe. Covles 81
0berlin, Ohio, Fee Of Kentucky, and Bascom "a
Illinois, and Messrs. Charles and Lewis Iannan
and DR.. Jewett, the temperance advocate, an of
ioho1a regarded The scheme Nth faror. as an aux.
Hilary enterprise. some Of them enthusiaetieaIlv
endorsing Il, while Others expressed words ~
eautien against the Undertaking. Influenza and
pecuniary considerations that might tend to such
colonies from the faithful accomplishment Of
their missionary work. A very strong desire was
manifested for immediate Organization and &C.
ton, and committee. consisting Of Hon. Eli
Thaycr, Raw Charles Torrey Of this city, and
Rev Mr. Fee, was appointed to draft plan o.
organization, and prepared an address to be sub.
mitted at apubc meeting soon TO be allied, ths
place TO be hereafter designated"
The committee above designated called a meet
ing last evening, at the same place. to hear theil
report, accordingly. Rev. G. w. Torrey took the
chair. and made to tho meeting detailed report
unanimously agreed upon By the committee, com