Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-21
Answer to Fair Play.


Rev. Fisher has wisely decided "a
abandon the field. Ills last article j..
little more than an attempt to raise a
big cloud of dust in order TO cover
his retreat. | would gladly leave him
to the enjoyment of that peace and
quiet which he so much coyets, but
have yet a few things TO say TO him. In
the first place, if he does not feel unus-
ually good over the result of this con
troyersy. / would remind him that IL
was not of my seeking; but was forced
upon me by an assault which was aS in
decent as il was un-called for. More.
over claim that the fault of the "un-
dignitied personalities which have
characterized this controversy does not
lie al my door, Rev. Fishers very first
attack was full of bad temper and low
abuse, as every body well remembers.
replied in an article of calm, dispaS,ion.
ate argument from beginning to end.
so much so that some of my friends
thought I showed no spirit at all. But
notwithstanding this fact, Rev. Fisher
came out in second article which was.
to say the least, as full OF bad blood and
gross misrepresentation a. the first, and
thus forced me 10 return an answer
which was sharp, pointed, and most per
sonal II Rev. +. has WINGED under It.
/ would remind him that have simply
beat him with h's own stick. In hIs last
article. however. he undertakes 10 play
q new and different role. He puts on an
air of dignity and good manners, and
then takes me to task for my "undigni.
fed p.r-guulitlp- ~ hem
Still further. maintain that Rev. F.,
attack was entirely uncallcd. for. Nv
address ut Cent.c Hall was eminently
fair and truthful Ny aim was not "to
, belttle Luther" but to give Zwingli
that honor which is his due. Our La.
theran brethren almost invariably fol
low one of two lines of conduct. Either
they entirely ignore Zwingli and his
movement, and represent Luther rs the
one and only great Reformer, insomuch
that when we began to celebrate the
400th anniversary of Iwingli's birthday,
many of their members could not un.
derstand what right or business the Re.
formed had to aTrogate 10 themselves
any share in these Reformation anniyer-
saries or on the other hand they put
Zwingliauism, Romani-m and Anabap-
tism into one boat and represent them
AS the great trinity of heresy and cor
ruptiou from whose great ruin Luther
alone, by his undaunted faith and hero.
ism. has saved the Church and the Cos
pel. This latter conduct excellently
illustrated in several Of the long quota
tions in Rev. F's last article. OF these
false representations and impressions,
1 certainly meant to disabuse the minds
Of ms audience. Without taking away
from Luther any thing which justly be-
longes to him. meant to show that not
all truth was on his side, that as Luther
excelled Zwingli in some particulars SO
Zwingli excelled Luther in Others. And
this [ did by mentioning facts which
are true, which ! knew most certainly
10 be true, and which ! honestly
thought there wasn't man in Centre
Hall or Centre county for that matter,
who was ignorant and conceited enough
seriously to deny.
There is another thing which is very
strange. The Luiherans constantly rep.
resent Zwingli as a heritic, fanatic, etc.
II crops out every now and then In Rev.
rs articles. It is boldly asserted and
emphasized in several of his long quota.
tions. And they seem to think that
this is all right, and that we, Reformed,
must, as n matter Of course, quietly sub.
NIT and acquiesce. But as soon as we be.
gin to point out some Of the errors and
DEFICIENCIES in Luther, Immediately they
raise q sort Of general howl all along the
line that we are ''narrowminded" and
want TO "belittle Luther" etc.
Now let US take glance at Rev.
Fair Plays somewhat unusual fairness.
No one, hc boldly asserts, is authority
ON Luther and Lutherism who j. not an
4'out and out Lutheran" Rcvs. Dr. Fisher.
SchaH, Hodge. Neyin, Cox, etc, however
eminent in learning and character. are
no authority. Even DR.. Dorncr il ruled
out because, though Lutheran, lie Is
not, properly speaking, an out and out
Lutheran. In answer TO all these, even
the most ordinary ''villigc preacher
counts himself competent to say YOU.
nay, simply because he Is an Out and
out Lutheran. Such prcposterous nom
sen.e and egotism, person would
hardly have looked for in the ranks Of
Centre county ministry. Vet this styles
itself by way Of pre-cminence Fair
Play.
Here. however, is one thing which |
ask the reader well to notice. Rev. +.
now admits that Luther was a predes.
iiparian--an absolute. unconditional
ptede eltiuarian, NJ claimed from the
stsrt ~ as before he 20 boaatfully dc.
ME Ii - cure. s1ffsndering
the Us of cenrogersy SO far as