Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1886-03-20
UEwriffcm History.
TBy a Septuagerarian.l'


ton. He came to conduct the funera
rites of the deceased, the latter having
removed to her late home from MaSssl
chusctts. From this island Mr.. Chase
moved over to the main land, prospect
inc for fallow soil iii ichto plant Tue
doctrines of his church. But in the
ueiul.borhoods of Eastpille and Cape
vile, and at various other points up the
peninsula, lie sought i'll vain foramom'
ising field OF labor.
1t was only on reaching the section
referred TO in our lust letter that the
doctrine of Universal Salvation found
sympathy and free scope. And heretlle
very men who had most bitterly denied
God. and most scornfullyrejected Christ
rs Il conditional Saviour, were now the
first to accept the teachings of MI.
Chase, and to cspouse, with open arms,
the Saviour that he offered them. And
the new creed spread here like fire i'll a
dry stubLle. \ church was erected
about mile above Belle Haven, and IN
organized effort set forth for the estab-
lishment and propagation of the new
doctrine. And above the church door,
that all might read, was inscribed this
lecend-''We believe in the living God,
the S,yiour of all men,
In vain did Mr.. Chaset ryhis doctrine
further up the peninsula. Whatever
practical lesson may be drawn from tlle
fact, it was Only in the soil Where Il rank
growth of sccpticism and inlidelity had
already taken root that the seed Of his
faith found Judgement. The first pas
for Of the new church was the Rev. Mr..
Lumsden. Early after assuming his
pastoral charge, he issued a challenge to
the neiglboring churches for apubllc
discussion ON the doctrines OF Salvation.
This challenge was accepted by the Rev.
Mr.. Quigley, " Methodist itincrant i'll
charge of Northampton circuit during
t,,c wears of 1911 and 1912. This discus
sion, us mutually agreed upon, actually
took place in the old Union Westinghouse
previously alluded to, situated at Dr..
Downing's gate; and WAS prolonged Tor
two DAYS. The argument began Oh the
first day at 1Oa. m, continuing through
the whole day, with IL brief intermedl-
ate recess for dinner. AS might have
been expected, the novelty and interest
of the occasion brought quite con-
course of people together, and intense
attention WAS paid 10 the Arguments
On the second day the same rules were
followed. and the pressure of the crowd
in attendance even greater than on the
previous day. But this session, by COM
mon consent settled the question OF abll-
ity between the opposing dispntants. 1t
being generally admitted that Mr.. Qulg-
ley's arguments were not answered by
his opponent. Following this "rencon-
TIRE. nthe great champion Of the UnlIcr-
salis st church at that day, the Rev. Dr.
Dodd was sent to the Shore for the pur-
pose of taking up the argument begun
bv Mr.. Lumsden. He WAS arroiessor
in 3 well known college. an author end
m editor. and his profound scholarly at
rainments made him an adversary wor-
thy of any fueman's steel. Mr.. QulG-
ley, though man of quick perceptions
and large ability, lacked many OF these
advantages. He was therefore kindly
advised by many Of his friends to waive
the argument, and much anxiety was
felt by the Methodists at his refusal to
do SO. a correspondence was entered
upon between the combatants, and the
arrangements fer debate carefullyagreed
upon. The discussion WAS to take place
in the old Union meetinghouse-Dr.
Dodd 10 have the opening speech OF one
hour, MI. Quigley TO have an hour to
reply. after which the arguments were
to be limited to half hour debates, MI.
Quigley to have the closing speech
Noderators were chosen By both sides,
to whom all disputed points were to be
submitted, and the discussion limited
TO four days. The morning session was
to continue from 10 O'Clock to noon.
with a recess until .; the afternoon SEES
sion to continue until 5. Dr.. DOdd was
TO open the morning session with pray
er, and Mr.. Qniglcv to close the after
noon session in the same manner. The
question was-s'Do the Holy Scriptures
teach the unconditional Salvation of
all mankind?"
Naturally enough, the settlement OF
these preliminaries, together with the
inevitable excitement incident to such
an occasion, wrought up the community
to state of fevcrish anxiety, and spread
to even remote sections of the peninsu-
la. 1t became the absorbing topic of the
day, ard men 10 whom the Bible was an
unopenrd book. and vino hid never Civ
en- serious thought to the issues in
volved, began to. awaken to the merits
of the question. Perhaps in this way,
ifno other. it wrought out its beneficent
results. There is living at present &
wcll-Snown gentleman near that vicini-
ty, now pillar of the Methodist church,
who at that day represented the dignity
and influence Of the Universalist creed
and who probably dates the revolution
in his religious life to the period of this
discussion. 1t is hard to say how many
honest doubts were set at rest, how
many crude theological views took form
and shape, and even vital essence, from
ll,;e f1ncb of Sectional contrOyevSy