The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-15

demning me, even to the sentence o.
deposition, because I did not submit
to sentence, which in the judgmen
of all the world except the Virgini,
Synod, was q nulity. Nay, more, il
the Report of their proceedings or
the 22th Of this month (August)
found in the Baltimore San, be cor.
rect, they have solemnly affirmed ths
arbitrary papal doctrine "that the
right to suspend minister during
the interim Of Synod is lodged in the
president"
| appeal to the judgment Of Luthc-
rams TO determine whether such acts
ard claims can be tolerated.:
"Men make resolves, and pass into de-
crccs.
The motions OF the mind; with how
much case,
In such resolves, doth passion make n
flaw,
And bring to nothing what was raised to
law"
l am charged with an attitude so
"dcfiant" that "further forbearancc''
with me would be useless and cat
lempls to win" me "from the error G!
my way would be unavailng."
AS to this, say that never once
did the President (lhuugh SO instruct
ed by the Constitution he claims to
upholD come 10 me in the spirit OF
brolherly kindness and fatLcrly coun-
sci, before hastily and unlawrully sus-
pending me. Had he done so instead
of taking counsel Of the enemies OF
my church and myself, hc would have
found younger brothsr, who would
have met him in humble hope and in
the spirit Of Christ, ready to pray
with him for peace upon the founila
ton OF Christian principle. Had he
done SO i'll The spirit Of peace and
love, The blessing permitted to the
pcacemaker might now have been his,
and great evil avoided. And
again | say that if he had left me and
my congregation "to pursue the even
tenor Of our way, without attempting
TO "nnchurch or prescribe" us for
doing what we thought at the time
and still think We had the churchly
right to do, the gentle influences Of
patent forbcarance and The manifes
tation on the part Of Synod of a will.
ingness 10 Withdraw the sting lef,
lurking in their decision, might have
led to the healing Of breach now
irrcparablc.
'lf my offence be Of such mortal kind.
lhat neither. service past, nor present
SORROWS.
Nor ptrposcd merit in futurity,
Can ransom me into his love again.
But tol know SO much be my benefit:
So shall ! clOthe me in a,forceu content
And shut mysclfup in some other course
TO fortunes aims"
"Dcliant" have not been rich,c-
ously indignant l have felt since the
"dccisions' of the special session of
the Virginia Synod shocked my soul
and ronsed within my heart:
"Thc courage never to submit" to what I
deemed,
\ cruel wrong.
The Synod Of Virginia has placed
me i'll good company, though | am
not worthy the association. Luther
suffered for conscience sake. Paul
was besct for his boldness in the G Is
pei. The Apostles were martyrcd for
the sake OF their faith and work and
above all, rs the infinite heart of God
is above our becloudcd souls, Jesus
Christ, the Master whom we both
claim to serve, sacrificed His life for
a principle and for the good of those
lie loved. In humble imitation OF
these, acknowledging my fraiItics and
infirmlties, but avowing the sincerity
OF my convictions duty in the course
have felt constrained to pursue l am
prepared to adhere to principle aud
to stand by my flock, whatever world.
ly loss or danger may besct me.
81 would seek unto God, and unto
God would I sommit my cause
Dob. $50
Respectfully,
j. BACuMuN HASKELL,