Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-11-07
A Contradiction.

To the Editor Of the american:
am informed upon authority which can.
not doubt, that, at a public religious meeting
lately held In one Of the towns OF this County,
one Of the speakers made this statement, thu:
the reason why l had LEFT the Unitarian soci-
ETY. Of Ellsworth was because could no longer
believe IS they did, and that before long
should become an Evangelical" minister.
For one reason i am glad that this statement
WAS made publicly. because 1t gives me an op-
portunity TO notice it publicly. as have not
been able to do before. though knew the story
had been privately circulated almost every
where In this region. am glad to be able now
to say that the statement Is absolutely and un.
qndilHediy false. like the similar story to Id OF
the late DIR. Pulsifer after he could no longer
deny II in his sturdy way. l think that am
justified in feeling somewhat indignant, a I
took especial pains 10 say plainly in my last
sermon to the Society. my going was not in
consequence of any leaning towards the views
oil any other Church, that II was the result of a
purpose made when l came. TO stay but two
years, which. through attachment TO the pco-
pie who had treated me so kindly. had length
ened TO five, and that my object was to get
rest from active work and time for study,
travel and observ alton. This statement row
repeat and to prevent misunderstanding will
add ,his,-thA whatever respect aud affection
may have for the many OF the ministers and
people Of Evangelical" churches who seem TO
me TO be sincere and earnest Is individuals. |
find myself farther than ever from belief In
their creed. More particularly, the u,terances
about the moral man." which formed the core
OF the revival OF last winter, endo r. ed rs they
were by the "Evangelicsl'' churches, and be-
Ing ss they are the logical result of their teach
ing, shock my heart and conscience more than
lean tell, for l cannot help thinking that, II
carried into practice. they would ruin the very
foundation OF public and private morality.
II is not pleasant for me thus TO emphasz
the negative side Of this matter, though the
occasion compels 1t. l have always preferred.
in handling the doctrines OF other sect-. TO
look chiefly at the truth which underlies the
false form. and which, in practice, generally
nulllnes the injurious tendencies Of that form.
In preaching my own creed. l have always
tried TO present its positive side, and to bring
it, to bear on living righteousness. II. in my
five years ministry here. l have succee Jed IN
showing those outside our ranks that there is
more religious truth and power in "Unitari-
anism" than they thought it had, hope they
will welcome the idea a. an addition to their
stock OF information and no lonIer claim the
cred, for their own creed. I trust II will do
them no harm TO learn that there is some good
in Gods world outside their own creeds and
churches.
l have only to add that make this denial,
not for my own sake, but for the sake Of the
Church l am now leaving, for whom | feel
rare degree Of sympathy and affection, and
from whom part with great reluctance.
". Ii. LYON.
Ellsworth Nov. ), ls.s.