The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-27

nrlV0Io CO0SumeI6s Dub WubtcvoE may NC tue
views Of consumers on these points, one thing
is certain; that is, gas reform il imperaHvely
demanded snd the Legislature should not sd-
journ without shaping ont some means tcreach
the object In view.
Dipping and sprinklins-rh Disevssio.
Between Rev. Drs. Armissge and vsr-
mflyoa.
There is Gvery comical story current con
corning two neighbors, whom we will call Smith
and Jones' Riding past Smiths house ono
morning, Mr. Jones remarked, Msay, neigh
Dor Smith, yonder's place where you might
have fishpond, " you wanted TO-" Mr.. SMITH
instantly retorted, "But don't want to-"
"Well," returned JONES' II didn't say you did;
but il you did" "There's no if about it,"
shouted Smith, "for don't want to- In this
style the controversy ragged for half an hour,
when the two neighbors separated, vowing
never to speak to each other again. They kept
their resolutions for ten years; but at last, by
the intercessions Of mutual friends, they were
brought together amicably. After shaking
hands and making up, and exchanging the
compliments of the season, Mr.. Jones observed,
.But, say, Smith, 1 really don't see how you
could have misunderstood me. l didn't say
that you wanted fisbpond, All that l said
was, that if you did want tt" "But didn't
want it," interrupted Smith, growing very red
in the face; and at 1t the two neighbors
went again, hammer and tongs, refusing
to be reeoncilcd, and becoming more bitter
enemies than ever.
We are reminded Of this story by the dis
cussion, on Sunday last, between the Rev. Dr.
Armitage and vermilyea. These gentlemen
differ in regard to the proper mode OF Christian
baptism. DR.. Armitage believes in dipping;
DR.. vermilyea in sprinkling- Agreed upon
every other point Of Christian doctrine, they ara
unable to come to terms concerning this COM
paratively unimportant point This difference
has divided them for years; but Of late, BY
means of q Christian Union Association, which
embraces members of oil denominations they
have been brought together peacesbly. DIR.
Vermilyea has allowed DR.. Armitage to preach
from his pulpit, and DR.. Armitage has proposed
to return the compliment But, In the very
midst Of these agreeable amenities, the old
subject Of dipping and sprinksing was revived.
and 10 DR.. Vermilyea refused TO come TO DIR.
Armitage's meeting, and sent sharpletter to
account for his absence. DIR. Armitsge, seising
his opportunity, made this letter the text Of =
very spicy discourse, which we published yoster-
| day, designed to place Dr. vermilyes in rather
| a bad light before the public. The allusion
| to dipping and sprinkling has again alienated
| them as the reference to the fshpond again
parted Smith and Jones. We are afraid that It
will be long while before the Christian Union
| Association can, for the second time, restore
| the entente cordidle.
| Into the merits of this case we do not pro-
pose 10. enter. Far be 1t from US to decide
whether II is more righteous to sprinkle or 70
din. Nor shall we permit ourselves to be be-
trayed into expressing an opinion a. TO
whether DR.. vermilyea did promise to preach
| in DR.. Armi'age's church and then back out ut
| the last moment, as IL he feared to face con-
gregation Of clippers with his arguments in
favor OF sprinkling. Although we are far bet
| ter acquainted with the Scriptures than nine
tenths Of the professional clergymen, having
studied them, like Timothy, from our youth up,
we have no desire to become involved in Bibli-
cal polemics. Az 10 the personal issue In re-
| card TO DIR. vermlyea's attendance, we have
sufficient respect for both Of the worthy gentle
| men interested TO believe them both IN thS
| right and both, little mistaken, Our readers
have pcr,iscd the report of the proceedings
and can draw their own conclusions. But in
the name Of true religion and Of public morals
We, protest against all such personalities
in the pulpit. The letter Of DIR. Yer
milyea and the speech OF DIR. ArAitage
we're in equally bad taste. The duty OF
a minister Of the Gospel Ia to win souls
| to Christ and to edify the members Of his
church. Within few years We have seen this
noble mission shamefnlly prostitutsd. We
have seen clergymen, like Beecher, tarn their
pulpis into political rostrums, transform their
sermons into stump speeches, and appear de-
lighted when their congregations checred,
laughed and applauded as at theatre. We
have seen clergymcn, like Cheever preaching
crusade against the South, insteadsof preaching
the religion of Christ. Our pulpit fanatics did
much 10 cause the recent rebellion. The blood
| OF many brave men stains the hands OF those
who profess TO break the bread Of lie. Win
such examples before them, nnA Armitage and
verruilyea should be the last TO sanction any
further Dissertation of the pulpit Let them
preach sermons that will SIEVE sinners and make
the saints more pious. There ere plenty OF
sinners to be won from Satan and plenty OF
saint who sadly need cdifcaticn. When this
work Is over, and not until then excited con-
troversies as 60 the relntive merits OF dipping
and sprinklipg, or causdc letters and remarks
upon matters Of mefe personal moment, may,
erhaps, be in order in the house 81 God.
Duei at Lexington. kentwcky.