Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-05-04
Discussion Between Inc Rev. Or
Watson, Of the Methodist a0d
the Rev. Or. Graves, Of tbs
Baptist Church.
Full RspOri---A SGriptgraI AEgu-
ment from a %SGTiptursl
Standpoint.
Judges Harry S. Lee and Msrland
l. Perkins. EMPIRES, as to the
Existence and POSSIBLE
tiles Of Spirits.

announced, as TO whether there are any
ghosts to be found in Scripture. Every
other literary authority, II was agreed,
WIS TO be excluded, and The book alone
was tO.be referred JOin the discussion. In
the face Of this agreement, our reporter
heard one Of the gentlemen quote Adam
Clark last night pretty freely in his dehni-
ton OF the Witch of EndOr. The great
fight took place about that Witch, snd the
d" familiar spirit" by which she was at
tended; also as to whether men
are angels or angels men. Both
gentlemen rsnsacked the Bible
pretty freely, Rnd used their numerous
quotations to suit their views with mi
raculOus deXterity and skill. The au-
disnce we're deeply interested, or very
much amused, for "the house" kept cheer
ing or laughing with encouraging regu-
lsrity. The following report, made by the
religious editor of the APPEAL, viii give
some idea of this grave discussion:
MV Respected AUdjeuce-I appear before
you ibis evening not 20 discuss any ''ism, -
but to discuss and defend q glorious Scrip
tural truth, It Is one of the most inn
portant and deeply interesting doctrines
taught in Gods inspired word; one that
brings consolation to the bleeding heart
under the most affecting circumstances
through which We have been called to
pass,
Tue doctrine Of ministering spirits, or
guardian angels, has been believed by
Jews and Geutiles, Romsnists and PrOtes-
tants, N all ages of the Christian church
The best formula of religious worship,
known as "The Apostles Creed ," says 81
believe in the communion OF saints,
which teaches this doctrine Every branch
of the Christian church in our land be-
lieves and breaches It. This, and this
only, have i ever consented to discuss,
either i'm my public correspondence or IN
any other way whatever. l have been
taught to believe it from my childhood,
and have heard it proclaimed from The
puIpits of the various churches all my
life. Why, then, should il produce so
much excitement. because we are called
upon to defend iJ2
In order properly to understand our
subject, we should suslyzs ourselves as
far as we may be able. The Psslmist says,
II am fesrfully and wonderfully made"
That we have a high and holy calling, and
a glorious destiny that awaits US, no n
can, question who has read in the Bible Of
mans crestion, redemption, and ultimate
ElOrihcRtiOn.
Let us, then, look a. man as seen from
the only standpoint we propose TO occupy
i'm this discussion, the Scriptures of Di-
vine truth. Here, on this m0veless rock
we stand, and from it We viii not be driv-
en- in this discussion.
What does the Bible teach relative TO
this masterpiece Of Gods crestiOn2 A
council is held by Trinity before he is
brought upon the stage of action. Gen.
l. %, q: And God said, Let us Aake
man in our image, sitter our likeness. So
God crested man in his owu image" snd
" breathed into his nOstrils the breath OF
life, and man became a living soul"
Here we see his compound being, com
posed Of the animal, which is Of the earth,
and his soul, or spiritual nature, which
God bresthsd into MIN. His material ma
connects him with earth, and causss
hin to live in the sphere of effects. His
spiritual nature connects him with, and
causes him TO live in, the sphere OF csusa-
ton. Man's physical nature or COnstltu-
ton is peculiarly fitted for this world. Il
could perform its Office in no other. Il is
but the outer garment of the sOul-a
physical building for the mind while in
hsbiting this world, with its i've win
looking out upon the world of
effects.
Mans spiritual nature is exclusively
his own. The spiritual nature has its pc
Culisr constitution, which calls for things
necessary for its spiritual health and de-
vel0pWsnt. Ii is a refined substance, ss
real and as tangible to the spiritual world
Is the body is 20 the natural world. This
is what constitutes our individuality, and
ahH IA" aa' a"eH.a" va IA" AHAa.a #a" aNuaA'A d
man, as St. Paul calls 1t, ia TO live on ever. /
Tn 4 qualified sense, he is divine-"a son,
an heir Of God and a joint heir with
Christ" There is a moral dignity which
the Bible stamps upon man that does not
pertain TO any other Crsated intelligence.
The redeemed, purified soul does sUs-
tain q relation to the Divine Trinity uu-
known to the angels whom the saints are
70 Judge. He can commune with God
and have his conversation in heaven
Man IN has fallen state is q creature OF
prejudice. His religious ~prejudicss are
perhaps his strongest. ] know the diff
Guilty Of overcoming Our religious Opiu-
received in childhood. The impress
sion made upon the young heart Is the
mO permanent. We have bssn educated
to think It was impossible for US to know
anything respecting the mode of exist
euce, OF action of thOs5 who passed away
from our sight. Our spiritual teachers
taught US to believe that the spirit
immaterisl, and that was all they can
tell us about it. Spiritual existence and
nouentity have been TO the minds Of
many synonymous terms.
Although men in all ages OF the world
have hoped Tor immortality, compare
lively few have had such evidence as WIS
entirely satisfactory 90 themselves of this
important truth. The authority of past
ages did not give that interior satisfaction
which the earnestness snd quiet OF the
soul required. This demand for more
1slpable evidence is not confined to the
profsssedly sksptical. To is felt by many
IN the religious world. l. may resolve to
be- satisfied; 10 may refuse 10 listen to
troublesome doubts which arise
it may say with trembling,
Lord, L believe" but in It's secret sOul DO
will exclaim, "Help thou mine uub6lief"
such demand for evidence exits will
5e admitted by a large proportion of pro-
esssd believers in immortality. The
.piritual aspirations Of the sOul are for
mmOrtaliJy-sternal life. This is a de-
Of its nature, and a strong argu-
uent for its never-dyinR principle.
The spirit Of the age demands the ut
most freedom Of thought and investigs-
ion in regard TO those things which per-
to mans spiritual interests. The
.Overeignty and the equality Of the indi-
yidual are being universally recognized In
matters, and the mass Of mankind
Who are capable Of thinking are disposed
comply with one precepg promulgated
~ Christ, to "CALL NO Man MASTER" in
hings which pertain 70 our spiritual in
erssIs of so much moment. Authority,
q a sCbstituta for truth and right, must
disappear, and everything based upon
Iuman authority alone must pass away.
The Bible alone is our authority upon
NGFk ENlL|aEN Oh a HAAfAtAaA AaH4Nua ~ It's j
eachiugs we submit, and will follow
wherever it may lead In the Investigations
W make on this occasion. Philosophy I
teach us that we cannot behold
beings with the natural organs
Z sight. The Bible, as we shall show )
efore we close this discussion, daily son
his assumption OF man, de-
lonstrstes, under every dispensation, 1
which come in direct contact with /
HHa #h..HH WUNHmh. rnHHaH mo haUHaH~sm
Who are The GHgeisy Whilst we admit I
here is another form Of being from the {
mortal who shouted for 10Y at ]
he creation, yet we shall attempt to u
rove that many of the angels spoken Of .
q the scriptures were nothing more nor
than men. Here We have the position Il
iearly stated. II 10 be not true that good q
1on become angels after they leave the d
odyl the scores OF times they are spoken .
I As such ln the Bible is calculated TO r
IN impression upOn the [
Minds Of On6 inQuirers after truth. IL il
be clearly very improper. and All q
1rd 70 apply the term man, or men. to a
messengers, and yet nothing IA more C
MINOR all through the Old and New I
/, their office IS messengers, and not to 9
9air character Of beings. Whatever NAV a
3 the character Of the being, II he is act
10 As q messenger or minister, he {
ssumeg the ONCE, and may be das- g
by the term angel. Hence d
Ii have the expression angels of God 2
40 the devil and his angels, angels Of d
ie churches, etc. The name angel does I
al e5rnraaa tbs character OF the being. It I
idicstes nothing respecting the nature {
origin of angelic beings, except per-
apps, as usually indicating spiritual be- b
rather than material individuahties. y
he name Is sometime applied TO them Il
In Revelation it speaks Of the sngeis OF &
be seven churches In Asia. Again. so U
n as have any information or knOWl- r
lge on the subject, everything Indicates q