The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-06
LACROSSE, WIS, Oct. 81, 1886

from The UNIvERsALIsT:
LACROSSE, WIS, Oct. 81, 1886.
To the Editor of the UniUersalist:: The ex-
PLANTATION which you demand, very readily
offer.
First, have not preached as a candidate
in any Universalist pulpit or sought to do 80,
since the middle of May last. At that time
l did not disbelieve the doctrine of Universal
salvation.
Second, on my return here I found the
Universalist church closed, with every indi-
cation that it would remain so for long
time. | simply solicited from the Trustees
permission to use the building, and began
preaching Independently, solely on my own
responsibility. In my second sermon 1 an
nounced that should preach mo ism, held
myself henceforth absolved from any such
obligation. !" Furthermore, the Chairman of
the Board of Trustees and leader of the
church had for some time before known that
was contemplating withdrawal from the
denomination. Where, then, is the betrayal
of confidence?
Third, your correspondent says: 81 am
sure that he was very anxious to become our
pastor again, and has worked very hard to
secure that result" He is utterly mistaken.
1 never desired it, nor did l stir finger to
secure such result. No man or woman can
be produced to whom l SO much as whispered
any such desire.
Fourth, you say: "Not until Mr.. Hebberd
had been assured that he could not remain as
pastor and the matter was decided against
him, did he decide, etc." No such assurance
was ever given, nor anything like it. No such
decision was ever made. l always under
stood-and do so still-that the parish, with
the possible exception of two persons, were
unanimous in desiring me to continue. Sept.
25 announced, without suggestion from any
one, and to the surprise of the entire con-
gregation, that should preach my last SER
mon the next Sunday. 1 did so, solely be-
cause had then reached that point of entire
certainty when it became my duty to avow
my convictions to the world.
Thus, sir, serenely "face'' your "unwel-
come facts" They prove to be no facts at
all, but the very opposite. For many years
have known you as fair minded Christian
gentleman, and can explain this kind of an
assault upon me only thus: 1t is the only
known way of answering unanswerable argu-
ments. S. s. HEBBERD.
l. We are quite we'll aware of the fact
that Mr.. Hebberd has not preached as
candidate" in any Universalist pulpit
cinoa tho f;,,na he anaas6ao And for kba
very good reason which may now be
stated-no opportunity for such preach
ing occurred. He will not deny-we are
positive on this point that he would
have thus preached had the coveted OPP
portunity come to hand. He was willing
and even anxious to secure situation
for weeks beyond the time specified. The
proof is at hand if he questions the fact.
2. We are surprised that Mr.. Hebberd
seeks to make it appear that he preached
in Lacrosse on his return simply on his
own responsibility. If this was his pur-
pose he made great mistake in the
method he adopted. To assume an indie
pendent attitude and absolve himself
from obligation as a Universalist minis
ter, the proper course was to return his
fellowship and thus sunder his relation
with the Church. He would then have
been in position to take an independent
stand and the world would have been
before him where to choose and Provi-
dence his guide" But Mr.. Hebberd did
not adopt this plan; he was evidently not
ready for the step at this iuncture. Had
he resigned his fellowship this unpleas-
ant controversy would not have arisen.
On the contrary, he held on to his papers,
occupied Uniyersalist pulpit until mott