New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-14
4 GREAT POINT SETTLED.

remarkable theological discussion has
inst been ri sed. II has been the peculiarly OF
all theological discussions for the past eighteen
brpdtcd wears or so that instead of leading to
argument they have invariably ended in widen
inc the divergence between the disputauts.
Rnt the discussion we are about to consider
furnishes striking exception to the rule, TOT II
has ended in an enthusiastic, We can hardly
say cordial. agreement. lhls WouId DC cause
Zoe r,ioicipo were il not that the decision
reached concerns the eternal happiness or uh-
happiness of a large proportion cf the human
race The question under discussion was lhe
somewhat familiar one, Is there hell II dld
not start in that form. but by unanimous con-
sent it assumed that form and WAS decided III
the affirmative. The parties to the dlScu Ssion
wore Senator ingalls, and the Rev. Dr. ration
The case j. an interesting one, ana IS likely 10
be 80 far-reachng in its influence that we VIII
state It's rise progress and triumphant conclu-
sion tersely. but with all the accuracy when It's
exec ptional merit deserves.
Senator INGALLS, began the trouble 10y some
remarks i'm the Senate during the memorial cX-
erriscs there in honor of the late Senator Ill.,
of Georgia As near a. we can make out from
fine version now given, he expressed some
doubls about the certainty oil tutule me- out
admitted that if there were such state he
knew of no one whose life was so rloh IN the
prophecy of fut(vr existence as tina; oil sen
ator lin. The Rev. DR.. Patton did not IKE the
sneech. and quoted some sentences nom II IN
bis religious newspaper under the striking
heading of Heather Talk in Congress- lie
aIso amended some comments, calling 1ir In
calls an nGde and saying that the ulterance
of Li. views in connection with the solemn
commemorative services of Christian senator
was n piece of pure impcrtinence.' That
there might be no donbt about his own vlcws
mon impertinence or any other branch of the
subject under discussion, the Kew. Dr ration
marked copy of his paper and sent 1t to Mr.
ingalls,. The case was now well oPeheu' MI
Irg,Ils indited a card of response and sent 1t
To the newspapers as we'll as to the DOCTOR He
| observed that in his speech on Mr. lllli he ha"
merely presented those reflections winch rise
- in all thoughtful minds when meultatlhg upon
= the impenetIabe mystery which We lis the iu-
. tura state of man from all except the rev Dr.
| po,ton and after slight further explanation
closed in this animated style II YOU are
| Christian | prefeG to be heathen-that ~, II
vout religion prompts or permits you without
! q nrovocation TO libel those with whose views
= upon the great problems OF human destiny
- Won do not agree, | prefer to be an lhhdei
But am neither the one nor the other.
- have had some doubts hitherto whether eter-
nal punishment was consistent with lhlhl'o
| @loye. but am quite sure that II there Is no
he'll for such bigoted slandeTers ana mallS-
nant liars as you there ought to be- IL VIII
lac seen that Mr. Ingalls, is in favor OF IL nell
| Now comes the response and hnal summing up
! nj IN, Rev. DIR. Patton. lie starts OFT WIN tIe
| yentIe Christian remark that he had recently
| oxnressed the opinion that ungentlemahllhesS
wos not a characteristic of all unbelieVerS' ouC
| he ,vos no,v convinced that he ought to make
Ar I,galls n " conspcuOus exception to TINS
| nositionn He then reiterates all his former as
sartiops accuses Mr.. ingalls, OF criODlng MS
v,o,s from Cicero. and declares that heath
enisbu Il the only fitting term to characterize
bis sentiments. Finally, after telling INN he
had used language which a true gentleman
,,o,Id NOT use.r he closes with tits ingenious
reference TO the undoubted existence OF hell ;
. In rcturp for yonr cruel wish that may be
q doomed TO eternal punishment permit me
- TO express the hope that You may attain re-
q nentance unto life, and, putting away oil
! "malice, EVIL spcahhS' pilooiJ "n" OO'i"P'
apractices, finally be welcome to the glorious
rewards Of the eternal hereafter" The Kev
DIR. Patton, it will be observed, is not so blunt
person rs Mr.. ingalls,. He does not indulge
In acruel wish" that he may go TO that I'M
comfortable place. He SLOPES" tho Senator
will be able to get into heaven, but he wishes
him to understand that he will first have to re
nounce malice, evil speaking bribery and cor
rupt practices before he can get in with the
Doctor and the other meek and lo"ly ChriS
tians who never permit themselves, even by In