Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-29
Henry c. Wright Recognized Minister
of the Gospel Of Progress-What Next

EpIroRs BANNER OF LIGHT: l arrived
here this morning at eight clock, having
left nv Oak Hill Home August 18th, and
been on my way, lecturing and making
snaeches at conventions and mass meet
inps. ever since. The following docu-
ment awaited my arrival. 1t speaks for
itself:
Henry @. Wright. legally recognized min
lister of the Gospel of Progress:
To all Whom ii may concern: Know
We that the Religious Society of the
Friends of Progress of Lotus, Union
county, Indiana, reposiug special coni-
dence in Henry c. Wright as public
lecturer, does hereby grant this certificate
of fellowship, and recognize him as
regular Minister of the Gospel OF Pro-
gress, and, as such, authorize him to
solemnize marriage in accordance with
law.
"Given under our hands and seals at
Lotus, Union county, Indiana, this 18th
day of September, A. ID. 1868.
"John j. Gardner, President; Carrie
s. Huddleston, Vice President; +. a.
Coleman. Secretary; Addison Gardner,
Treasurer; c. M. Huddleston, Collector,
Executive Committee of said Society.
"RrcoRDER's OFFICE, UsIos cousTY, ,,sid iIdsD.. !
az. John B. Macy, Recorder in and
for this county, and State of Indiana, do
hereby certify that the Articles Of Asso-
citation of the within named Society
were duly recorded as required by law, in
miscellaneous Record No. 2, on pages
3sI, 3e2, 1888 and 3S4, in the Recorder. s
Office of said county, February Is, 1867.
Witness my hand and official seal
this 29th day of September, A. D. 1868
"JoHN B. MACY, R. U. c."
Dear Banner, can | accept this certl1
cate consistent with your views OF the
gospel of spiritualism and progress I
Are the gospel of progress and the COS
pel of spiritualism one and the same 7
October, l8l9-just forty-nine years
apo-God. as personifed and made man
fest in Henry G. Wright, licensed,
authorized and commanded me to preach
the gospel of progress. Then | entered
the Andover Theological Seminary, near
Boston, with visw to make man into
a priest---a Presbyterian priest. Before
the term began, wrote in my private
journal rules by which to regulate my
investigations in connection with that
institution. Among these rules was the
following in substance, and nearly IN
words: II will accept nothing as true In
principle, or right in practice, on the
authority of any being in the universe
outside of my otcn soul
This adopted with special reference
to the authority of the Professors l
felt that it would be beneath me, as a
man. who must be judged solely by the
God that speaks within his own soul, to
accent anything as true and right on the
authority or sdy-so of any other man or
set of men. 1 knew my position was
right, but dreamed not where it was to
land me; only knew that it placed my
convictions above the convictions OF the
Professors.
NV Theological Professor soon dis
covered my position, and kindly and
most anxiously tried to move me from
it, showing me that if / kept to il, l must
reject the authority of the Bible, OF
Moses and Christ, of the Church and
State. and of God, as he has spoken
through all the prophets, apostles aud
teachers of the past and present, and get
the voice of God in my own soul, above
them all. This, at that time, seemed, as
il now does, the only law aud guide OF
life to me-God as, in my view, be speaks
in nv soul, and not, as in their view, he
snake in the souls of Jesus, Paul, Moses,
David, Isaiah, or ofsny other man or set
of men. simply placed Internal Goa
viction against External Authority. Ih's
was the head and frent of my offending
For this | was then regarded as the
skeptic and infdel of the Theological
Seminary. But DO prayers and enireaiies
Of professors and students, nor Of friends,
moved me from my position. ! then
thought and have ever since thought,
that / was inspired to adopt that rule,
and 10 adhere to it as truly as ever
Moses. Isaish, Paul or Christ were in
spired to utter any truth taught BY them.
The adoption Of that rule was IL
cense, a certificate, q command, direct
from God TO me, through Henry q.
Wright, to 20 into the world as q minis
ter OF the Gospel Of Progress As a tee
totaller, q self-abuegationist, an aboi-
tiouist-ss an advocate Of liberty, equal
ity and fraternity, irrespective OF sex,
color, country or condition, have tired
10 be q minister Of the Gospel OF Pro
eresa God, 10 Henry c. Wright, has
ia me on Quittly, coolly, resolutely, and
With unfaliering and Incorporating
perseverance, TO the one single object Of