Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-11
REV. IA POTTER TO COL MOODY.
Editors Pres. and Dakosaian:

Editors Psess and Dakotaian: :
Some time since, through your columns,
I called in question tho statement OF mt
church notice, that "1he liberal movement
is supported by such men as Prof. Swing
and DR.. Thomas" and Mr.. Moody replied
to my criticism, and cited rs proof OF this
statement the fact that the names Of these
men appear rs contributors to The Pamphlet
Mission, a fact which in these days Of dubi-
GUS advertising ~expedients may signify very
little TO the purpose. But a fact, the real
force and bearing of which upon the matter
in dispute neither Mr.. Moody nor myself
vas competent to determine without a more
extended knowledge Of the circumstances
than at the time of his rejoinder, either Of
US possessed. I am Just in receipt Of a let
ter from DR.. Thoma', in which he distinctly
says: "I haze no relation whateuer to "The
Pamphlet Mission. except that I consented to
the publication Of a Sermon" and in reference
to his personal Endorsement and cooperation
with such men a. his name ia associated
with in said notice, he says: 81 am on
terms Of good feeling wiM them 1; that is all"
Let this, from the doctor himself, settle the
matter between Mr.. Moody and myself.
And, not content with taking the illustrious
Thomas away from orthodoxy and the Meth
odist church, Mr.. Moody proceeds to attempt
the capture Of the pastor of the Yankton
Methodist church. I hope his doleful fail
ure in the case of Thomas will teach him
the futillty of such efforts; at any rate, I,
like the doctor, must decline to be listed
with such teachers as rockingham & Co. I
assure Mr.. Moody, however good his inten-
tions, I have no inclinations in that direc-
ton. And let me say, the orthodoxy of DR..
Thomas and that Of the pastor of the Yank-
ton Methodist church, are subject to an an
nual examination at the hands of a repre-
sentative body of the "exactly and severely"
orthodox Methodist Episcopal church, and
that they have hitherto proven satisfactory
to the church, and if liberal enough to suit
MI. Moody, he ought not to be hard on the
church. And now, Messrs. Editors, I prom
ised 1 would not burden your columns with a
controversy, but I crave space for one thing
1 am pleased to discover that at leaet
the Yankton branch Of this liberal move
.ent, which is so much opposed to sects, is
not free from sectarianism itself, the Univer,
party having withdrawn from the Uni
tartan and set up a house for itself. AL
this isn't a very good example to set
us poor bigosed and sectarian christians,
yet 1 say l am pleased to see it. Not be-
cause it may possibly weaken the liberal
movement here, but because, as every enc
here knows, 1 am a firm believer in denomi-
national christianity, and am glad 10 see that
this movement has that much of good in it
at least. And then, again, 1 am pleased to
that this momement which enters the
field to war against creeds, has, or is likely
to have, one Of its own; at least, it's new
pastor announces that he has brought one
with him, and intends to make it the basis
of teachings. This is right, and in accord
ance with the experience of the church in
the past, though not just in harmony with
that statement in the "Unity Church No
tice," hat this liberal movement. discards
all creeds. Well, this movement being sec
tartan, and having a creed, We are likely to
be able to form its acquaintance, and posses
sing these characteristics, 1 see no reason
why it isn't in a fair way to be useful, and
I'm sure that in SO far as it possess es the ele.
ments Of usefulness, all good people, mysell
among them, will wish it success.
j. A. POTTER.