Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1866-04-14
For the Telegraph.

Mr. EDrroR AT the risk Of incurring your
displeasure and that of your readers, beg to
say another word in regard to the semi-religious
discussion that has been going on for some
weeks in your paper. In my last communion
tion, ofthe 24th ult., l attempted, without try
ing to extenuate in the least the faults of pro-
&ssed christians, to offer word in vindication
/ Of their rights, to something more than theright
to receive the blame and contumey Of any one
who chooses to attack them, and to humbly ac-
knowledge their sins to any and every one ac-
cusing. Istated that society received more, and
inferred that it could expect more from profes
sors than from non professors, but speaking
Of infdels and scotrers, denied that they could
rightfuy demand more. Your correspondent
c" (whose communication seems to be i'm
bued with spirit of kipdness and benevolence,l
thinks that society has that right although he
gives no reason for so thinking. Neither society
or individuals have right to make demand
unless they have way of enforcing that de-
mand The laws of God and man apply equally
to all whether professors or not, and cover all
legal and moral obligations, 1t is inconsistent
and unreasonable for scofers and infdels to-
make such demands when they deny, both the
power of vital piety, and the willingness of
christians to live holy and useful lives, just as
inconsistent as it would be for a person to ex-
pcct fruit from a tree that he had pronounced
Lnren and lifeless. ,...a .. -... -t.....
90" declares that if professor fails to do his
duty, he is more culpable than q non-professor,
inasmuch as he virtually says to the world, that
he was either insiacere when he made profess
sion, or else declares the grace Of God insufficient
to keep him, or in other words he is either q
Ag,oc,fte or an a5eket@. If every christian who
sins at any time (and who does not p must take
one or the other horn of this unpleasant dilem-
ma, who would, or can dare to take that name
Poor weak human nature yields to temptation
a. times, without apostatzmg so entirely as &c"
supposes. W. ..I q. 'a
Another idea advanced by him, is, I think,
contrary TO the experience Of true christians,
viz: That the great lack of spirituality among
professors everywhere is mostly owing "to our
belief, that we can never attain to our ideal of
true christian character, and that it is useless to
strive for it. We therefore content ourselves
with following in the wake of goodlg person
whom we presume are booked Cor Heaven and
seek nothing higher" gao.
That Is a low standard of excellence, and one
which no christian would, or can adopt 1t is
degrading to the name of Christianity, which
points to far higher attainments, and far bet
ter exemplar than some good,y person.
know not what evidence sc" has that the
"Would-be Friend" is under the influence of
the Spirit Of the Lord, but it hardly seems prob
able that his attack on the whole Christian
Church-which you published-would furnish
that eviderce, and if he expects the ymFl.tls
and encouragement of the Churchin sach course
ofconduct he certainly ought to be disappointed,
but if he wishes to seek salvation with honest
purpose, he never need hesitate. The prayer of
&C that he docs not 0ok in rain to the Church,
will surely be answered, and his spposiion that
he might POSSIBLY be better employed than in
hunting up the failings ofprofesscd Christians, "
would then be confirmed.
Far be it from me to encourage the laxity and
carelessness Of professors, any moro than the
sophistries and jeers of infdels or the open
crimes of the vicious. While the Spirit of the
Lord is in our midst Christians are especially
called upon to be up and doing, to earnest labor
and constant prayer. Let it not be said that
Christians. are of all men most negligent. Z.
ARREST oE McCoNSell- Can Idan pa
pcrs give an account Of The arrest in Oltowa,
q. W., Of Mcdonnell, the supposed murderer OF
Mrs. Rosa Golvin, near Olmsted Falls, 90 the
24th ult. The account runs as followss ras.
The prisoner denies ths accusation, bat
some Of thel murdered womans's effects were
found iu his possession. When he saw the con.
Ell hlaa oh in he. h Al