Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-06-21


ter.
/ see in the last number of the "Bris-
toll News" of June eth, that you have
given an account OF a decision in our
late Sunday School Convention, which
convened at Bristol, mainly between
the Rev. ID. Sullins and myself, on the
subject of using instrumental music in
the worship of God, in which, [ think
you, as journalist, do me injustice.
Let me say, just here, for your i'm
mediate relief, that l hope you did not
do it deSignedty.
You have certainly committed some
errors in the statement of the case,
which hope you will allow me to
correct. When | signified my Opposi-
ton to some of the sentiments in Prof.
Gales essay on the use of instrumental
music in the worship of God, bro. Sui
Inns, in particular, pressed me to know
my reasons, and one word brought on
another, until l challenged him and
bro. Gale, or anybody else, to show me
where God had ever commanded the
use of instruments in his worship. or
where it might be clearly inferred from
general principles recognized in the
Bible, or where God had ever, under
any class of circumstances, dpprOged
1t. l said, give me book, chapter and
verse, which, of course, they failed to
do. Then / declared that could show
where God, by his prophet Amos, i'm
0lieoIly condemned it in David, its
originator, and great leader.
Bro. Sullins appealed to me to know
if David were inspired" L replied,
"Hot az euerything," not when he
numbered hepeople of Israel, not in
his manner of removing the ARK of
Godn at one particular time, not in
his conduct in the case of Uriah, one
of his most faithful servants and sub
jects, all passed through my mind like
electrical fire, though / did not utter
every word oft at the time. Then the
subject narrowed itself down to the
simple question, is ii right or is 1t
1OTORQ, to use instrumental music in
the worship of God? Sullins affirmed
and Robson denied, and the subject
was set for decision on Saturday morn
ing at S o'clock. Morning came, the
hour arrived, the subject was called
up, and according TO all "the rules of
debate" known among civilized lnen,
the affirmative leads Off and the mega
tive follows. But to my infinite sur
prise, here stood my atle and elegant
competitor, hating, and Sticking, and
refusing 10 make the opening speech,
until was compelled to lead the way
in order to get my views before the
Convention at all.
had really to undertake to prove
RcgdtiUe ard give him advantage of the
final speech, without reply from me,
or anybody else.
Are these thinks so, Mr.. editor?
Have | given the facts in the case?
Surely you are obliged to recOllect
them, if you were present at that june
ture of time, From first to last, put
ting Friday and Saturday together, |
think, he must have spoken from l ID
to . hours, on that one subject, while
I occupied from 50 to 40 mintes in the
discussion, not counting time for the
arrangement of preliminaries. But,
after all, you are kind enough to let
your readers know that che did not
hurt me, though che positively de-
molished" my fortress.
What did he do it with, Mr.. editor?
Did he do it with reason, argument
and evidence? Not bit of it," The
fact is, he hurt my fortress" less, if
possible, than he hurt me, and he did
not hurt me, at all. l stand upon
broad, solid and immovable rock, with
out a crack or seam in it, and am
quite sure that my good friend Will
never bore hole in it, with all his
tools OF modern invention. This rock
cannot be bored. You may join your
selves together and bore your very
lives away, and failin the end. Those
who are "athirst for God" the peni-
tent at the altar, the Christian eiectrifi-
ed with the love ofGod, anlt dying
saint, viii have no use for your organs
OF mellOdeOns.
Your effort, Mr.. editor, reminds me
very much of one who understands
the situation just after battle, and
applies himself with energy to cover
an unexpected defeat, by rattle of
drums and sound of bdg!es. You put
some words in MY mouth which did
not use. Instance, "and do away with
the good old service of God" [ said,
land do away with the good old Chris
tan method of wOrshiping God"
Hope you did not do it for the pur-
pose of making me appear awkward,
clumsy and inelegant, that you might
prejudice your readers against my
CduSC, DJ ulSDttlLtes III = IN BNA-
The merits of the question discussed
was not submitted to the vote of the
Convention, as / understand. Rich
ardson's resolution and the motion 10
publish Prof. Gales essay, did not COW
er the merits of the question discussed,
for some of those who voted for both,
told me they did not in their minds.
THAT box of Whistles demands
our notice next.
| used that as q quotation from
prominent and distinguished minister
of the Gospel in one of the New En-
gland States, where the first attempt
was made in the Omitted States" to.
use an organ in the public worship of
the infinite and eternal Spirit. After
they had made two trials, the man of
God become impatient and said with
deep solemnity and positive emphasis,
take that box of whistles out of here"
Sorry that you got there lat late
hour" and only heared what | had to
say about Amos 6: 5. That was only
a Title of what l did say, but then,
you could judge of the whole from a
tenth, as well as if you heard it all.
You know yoa could and every other
sensible man knows you could! for
editors are t"swift to hear" quick to
Judge and ready to write, for the man
whose views accord with theirs. Those
conversions to the box of whistles"
please give us their names; suspect
they are every one bogus
Very respectfully, your u'l-"hurt"