Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-05-04
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Another Letter from Geo. d. Spencer.
FAIR HAVEN, VI, May l, 1871.

AhOtACI ACttSl - O@-~
FAIR HAVEN, VI, May l, 1871.
Editor Rutland Herald-Your COM
ments this morning on my letter published
Saturday, would not reply to, did You
not ask me some questions.
I too was brought up under the instruc-
lions of the Congregational church, and
think if both of US had followed closer to
the teachings of that Church, and of our
departed mothers, we would both be bet
ter men than we are. My instruction in
Christianity in my earlier days was from
Parson Martindale, of Wallingford, and
Rev. Joseph Steele, of Castleton, men
the thought of whom brings tears to my
eyes, and sorrow to my heart, that l did
not better appreciate their teachings, yet
their kindness, and the eloquence of DR..
Childs failed to impress upon my mind
the doctrine of election az held by that
church vet one sermon from DR.. Hawley,
upon the text, "Him that cometh unto me
1 will in no wise cast out" carried con-
viction to my heart. So, sir, we are under
no obligations to believe thing because
it is told us.
I think the readers of the HERALD
would fail to receive their paper to-mor-
row morning did the press upon which it
was printed fail to do its work, though
you may have prepared the copy and the
eompositors put it in type.
As L understand it, Jesus Christ is the
chief cornerstone of the Methodist
church; remove that, and the whole super
structure falls. They, as church, be-
lieve the sufferings of Christ have some
thing to do with mans salvation; that
Christ died for US, suffered for us; that
there was a debt to be paid to God whose
laws had been trampled upon that Christ
paid that debt for US by his sufferings,
and that he will apply the blood shed
upon the cross for the remission of our
sins, if we will only apply to him and
confess our sins. Now, as I understand
these, with other points, to be the basis OF
| tAO lAiCOiy vi ACAiSiOh ga VIC AhCbhO0LSt
church, say minister of that church
who says this is all bosb, that there is nc
difference between the blood of Christ
and dog, is heterodox There is no use
trying to beg the question, which is not
which theory of religion is right, but the
question il, such being the doctrine of the
Methodist church, does Mr.. H, being 6
minister of that church, do right in de-
nying its doctrines.
, MY shortcomings will not make Mr.
, Herbert right. 1t is not of Mr.. II. or hi
his teachings. This is not the first time
I have been forced before the public or
this question Each time the arguments
against me have been personal abuse.
To know that Mr.. H. does preach as
say he does, ask Mr.. Mills of your place
who heard him short time since. Ash
Rev. Mr.. Bacon of Shoreham, Rev. Mr.
, Holmes of Benson, what the results o
his teachings are.
I can ask no better proof than your ar
! ticle this morning to sustain my position
= If Mr. Herbert's theory of religion is an!
t better than that of the Methodist ohurcl
t (you admit it differently, all we ask Of hin
h., is to leave the Methodist church. max
, no war with DR.. Chaplin, Mr.. Hepwortl
= or Mr.. Brigham because they differ from
e me- but ,th.r honor them that, differing
e they We houtSty enough to declare VIVA
s they do believe, and on all occasions.
You quote Mr. Beecher as a free think
. err. Mr. Beechor says, mo man ever be
/ CONES a Christian by beginning with hi
a outward life. Reformation is not religion
r though it often precedes and always &C
t companies it." Jesus Christ is tn
e foundation of religion
:, I wish to close this discussion us com
e meuced il, by saying that Mr.. H. is hetei
n odox, because be does not preach what b
j. processes to believe.
l., NJ. Editor, how many times did yo'
il ever hear Mr. II. preach, and how mucl
a do YOU know of what he teaches? l
i strikes me you are arguing a question yo
? know very little about.
q Truly yours,
r G. D. SPENCER.