The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-02-09
4BEOLOgIeAL PUGILLsTs.


paragraph that appeared in late is
sue Of the GAZETTE about the mis-
fortune that mighs attend the good
citizens Of the prosperous village of
Messy Creek, by making it the bat
tie ground of q theological discus
sion on the subject of Baptism, bro.
Their Pope says:
But we are told that these men are
" wranglers." Turning to Webster, we
find that wrangler means, AN angry
disputant; one who disputes with heat
or peeYishness. What has Brother Bor-
ing done to merit such an epithet as
this? He is known to the most of the
citizens throughout this sections, as q
pleasant, agreeable gentleman. yet the
GAZETTE thinks him an angry dispu-
tant. We think the Methodist com
munity win look upon this as m uR-
merited eon1plinaent(0
And he concludes his comments
by announcing that
The GAZETTE is gt>od secular paper,
but it makes bungling work of il when
1t touches theology. We shall have to
revoke our letters patent, if we sec any
more sush comments as the above.
And so, we are to be shorn Of our
honors so lately won-our title to
empty sounding words--and all for
what? Why for this in our first &C.
clesiastical effort, after The Pope had
dubbed us ID. D., in paragraph
deprecating the announcement Of
the HolSton Methodist that q contro-
versy on the subject OF Baptism was
being arranged to come off at Messy
Creek, between the Rev. Mr.. Lotion,
of the Baptist Church, and the Rev.
John Boring. of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, we dared to
express the fear and belief that the
proposed discussion would prove
hurtful in a religious point OF view
to the community about Messy
Creek, and that the parties engaged
in it as principals would appear as
" dogmatic wrang:ers." This is the
head and front of our offending. But
the Pope, with the cuteness OF a
Cardinal and the sublety of a lawyer,
innocently asks whist has Broth
er Boring done to merit this cpl
thet?'' and g-avely and ominou y
thinks " that the Methodist commu-
nifty will look upon this as an un-
merited compliment. (D' Go slow,
Bro. Pope! Your Reflector doesn't
mirror our appearance at all, and we
cannot accept its reflections as true.
We protest we gave no more CEN
sure to MFR. Boring than we did to
Mr.. Lotion, and that we did not pre-
tend to hold the one less to blame
than the other, whatever our private
feelings on the matter may have
been at the time. We don't pro-
pose to answer incorrect questions.
But supposing it put in this shape:
What have brothers Lotion and b.
ring done to merit this epithet? we
very cheerfully and verv frankly an
swer we can accuse them of but one
act whereby they should be styled
" dogmatic wranglers," that is to say,
common report has it that brother
Lotion, at a time Of profound reli-
gious peace and amity in the con-
gregations of the Churches and
amongst the patrons and teachers Of
the literary Institutions at Messy
Creek, which are composed of almost
every element OF Protestant belief,
did chCttlenge brother Boring, of the
Southern Methodist Church, to a
public wrangle Tor discussion, if you
like the word better,) on the vexed
subject of Baptism; and that broth
er Boring accepted reluctantly we
are told, and be it said to bis credit,)
the challenge from brother Lotion 10
engage in this wrangle (or contro-
versy.) Up to the time Of the send
ing of this challenge and its Gccep-
tdnce, the record OF each gentleman,
so far as we know, was clear; but
this agreement now, alas puts them
each in the category of theological
pugilists or ''dogmatic wranglers."
Mr.. Boring, and nc doubt Mr.. Lof-
ton, too, are commissioned from high
heaven TO earnestly contend for
the faith once delivered to the
saints For many years, Mr.. Bor-
ing has been successfully doing this
in the way his commission directs.
No doubt the same may be said of
Mr.. Lotion. But in our humble judg-
ment they are outside their commits
sioas now. They are soiling their
robes. They have for the time ceas-
ed to preach the word''-ceased 10
+" call sinners to repentance"-and
have engaged in discussing the
+" dogmas' of their respective de-
or (as they no doubt
believe each in exposing the dog
mas of the others denomination.
With nothing but the kindliest per-
sonal feelings toward each gentle
man, we have every reason to believe
that this debate will be like all 9TH
ers Of its class. 1t will be earnest,
teated- perhaps angry = at least
heated. 1t will therefore be accord
my to Webster.) a wraagle'-a