Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-12-25
THE SEaI-INFIDEL
Theory OF Evolution, which the Loais-
VILE "Observer'' Has Opposed,
Assigned as
The Reason for the Opposition OF Ger
tain Memphis Preachers-A
Trial Demanded,
To the Editors Of the Appeal:

To the Editors Of the Appeal:
Our attention has been called to an ar
ticls in the APPEAL of December 9th, evi-
IDENTIFY aimed at the editors OF the Christidn
ObssrUer, signed by three ministers of your
city, Engene Daniel, VIM. E. Boggs and
James L. Martin, in which, in most offen-
sive manner, they accuse US OF much that
is disgraceful, and use concerning us such
epithets as "faleehood, !" ISLANDER" ''infa-
mousiy false" Our position editors Of
the most widely circulated paper in our
branch Of the Presbyterian Church has
been known for years, and We suppose that
our reputation as Christiau ministers and
fair-minded men cannot be shaken among
those who know us by any such angry in
vective.
We do not propose to lower ourselves by
engaging in g personsi controversy with
our assailsnts. Bet Wa want to say to our
readers three things:
/. We wish to de7lOunce IN the most en-
phdtlc terms as untrue every accusation or
aspersion which affects our reputation as
honorable mon and ministers OF the
gospel.
2. The avowed purpose of these men,
announced by one of themselves in the
columns OF the Memphis APPEAL, is ven
gsauce for some fancied Wrongs which
they imagine have arisen out of our oppo-
sition to the semi -infiisl theory of evolu-
sition. Their expression is: "War, war to
the bilt, till these foul wrongs are fully
revenged." The statement OF this ami
mus will explain the object of their; epi-
theSs, and will account for their half
truths, and their suppression and pervsr-
vsTsi0n of facts which they pretend to
stale. Publications made not for the ad-
vancement of truth, but for the purposes
DFr ka rr,l
caution.
The law Of our church requires that
| such accusations ought to be presented
| bsfore ths church courts, not in the news
papers. Within six months one of these
| men, the Rev. Engene Daniel, has con-
| tended for this principle with the most
| intense earn est mesa, declaring that every
1 holy impulse Of righteousness tells us
| that such things ought not TO be whis-
/ persd, much less to be published, unless
| under the solemn responsibility of proving
/ by legal evidence every word of sccusa-
/! ton mat has been uttered" We have
| called on these men to present their accu-
| satjon. before the PreShytery in proper
foTm. While they refuse to do this the
| repetition OF such charges in the public
| prints shows their willingness to do for a
| purpose of vengeance what their own con.
| sciences condemn; and implies also a con-
| sciousHess that their accusations will not
| bear the test of trial.
3. We have secured special meeting
of the Presbytery of Louisville, to be held
JsnuSTy l2, "to give an opportunity to the
authors Of thege accusaticDs to present the
matter to the Presbytery in the proper
| form" And in case they shall fill to dc
so, shall demand OF the Presley tery an
| invest igati2n of their truthfuluess. l.
the Pres5ytery utter it5 verdict without
lear favor. If there is fault in us, let il
be so ddjudged; il not, LEI these slandere
be condemned. Until this investigation
ahsll hsve been held, your thoughtful
readers will give no credence to these un-
| tue ignpItatious.
| ANY man in tho world, wise or foolish,
| responsible or irresponsible-a eepeci
ally if aGtuaIed by vengful sp;rit-can
easily utter accusations and parade them
before the public. The beat man in the
world is Liable ID such assaults. The i'm
| portant question is, are they true? Whethe!
they have any foundations in facts? Mos
Of the issues raised by the Memphis mer
have been passed upon by the Christian
public, and the verdict of approval in oul
| favor has been most emphatic and decided
lu full consciousness Of single-hearteC
integrity, we have called upon the Presby
terry, OF which we are members, to eX
anime thoroughly into the matter ant
pass judgment upon the outrage offered
not only 10 Us, but to the whole Southern
Presby terian Church, by these MempSil
| ministers. Very respectfully,