The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-02-04
Correspondence.
-s s-
III.
TEN DAYS SOUTH.


wing over large portion OF the usually
Sunny South" AS far as middle Tennes-
see, the thermometer dropped from al
most April weather to eight degrees
above zero, which for that region, with
its inadequate provision for arctic cold,
is very extreme. With it came a storm
of snow and sleet that so enameled the
land that on our return journey we found
good sleigh1ng every rod of the way from
Henderson to Chicago, five hundred miles
as the crow flies. In spite of cold and storm
our meetings increased in numbers and
interest, except that at our one service
on the last day, Sunday, the bitter wealth
er, detained those who dared not face
the perils of locomotion. During the
eight days we held nine services, and
gave plain and explicit expositions of our
faith to many who had never before list
ened to it.
On the announcement OF our purpose to
hold our week of meetings, jealous
champion of the dying belief, Rev. J. N
Hall, of Fulton, KY, one of the editors of
the Arkansas BaptiSt,-the nose of the
controversial plow OF the Baptists in that
portion of Uncle Ssmueps domain-was
brought forward to"divide time with us
which is the local pRrlance for holding a
debate on the subject OF Endless Punish
ment and Universal Salvation" for the
purpose OF nipping in the bud any pro-
ject of establishing our faith in the local
ity. The proper arrangements were
made, and the debate was to begin on
Tuesday. Anxious to put the arguments
of the champion and himself on record,
with the proper Gospel antidote, SO that
the entire region round, as we'll as the
! comparatively few in attendance, might
have the benefit, our friends had secured
the services OF short hand reporter, and
had made arrangements for the publica-
ton of the discussion in book. But
on learning their intention Mr.. Hall ut
terly refused to go on with the debate,
though our friends were to bear the en-
tire expense of putting both disputants
on record, UeTbGtinl ct iterdtin1, ct stop
dtin,-as he did not feel prepared for
such discussion. But he professed to
be willing to enter upon such contesi
in the near future, and so the debate wes
deferred till March. Then it is expectAa
that tour days four hours. eaek
be devoted t5 the subject, and That fhS
exact result will be published Mr.. Halls
friends are sure that he will be able to
put quietus on the growing sentiment
in favor of the true Gospel, in that sec
ton, and we are confidently hoping to
make Mr.. Hall as unwilling hereafter to
grapple an opponent on these subjects, as
are most of those who formerly crushed
in" where now, after disastrous exper-
ience, they "iear to tread"
There is an intense interest On these
great subjects in that locality, which we
hope will be increased by the contem-
plated debate, and that nothing untoward
will occur to prevent the Henderson dis
cussion. Many of the readers of THE
! UNIvERsALIsT, especially those mistaken
souls who dream that the day of contro-
versy is over, and that doctrinRl preach
ing is no longer needed, have no idea of
the dense mental darkness, pervaded by
! bitterness and ignorance, that prevails,
over by far the larger part of our
country-notably in the South,-on the
! question of mans final destiny Whole
communities scout the thought of uni
versal salvation as the baseless vHgary of
folly. The average minister of the South
is rampant against it. 1t is the red rag
at which on ali convenient occasions he
lowers his horns, and paws the earth, and
fills the air with sui phurous vociterations,
especially IN the absence of its advo-
Gates. There is none of that reticence
that Is SO fashionable among Northern
preachers, who, if they believe, rarely
plainly preach the detestable dogma
OF endless torment. We Will not at
tempt to Disguise our pleasure at the
prospect OF an opportunity to advocate
our blessed faith in community where
it is rarely heard and accepted by so
few, and where the gun can be aimed at
flock with sure results, and especially
in the presence of an endorsed champ
ion. And one of the best and most de-
sirable places in the South for such an
encounter is Henderson. The town and
vicinity contain a small but choice com
pany of the representatives of our branch
Of the church Of Christ, men high IN pub
lie esteem, occupying hOnored positions
in the community,of whom any cause may
we'll be proud. An advocate Of our faith is
strengthened and his argument is rein
| forced as he sees before him such repre-
sentatives of the truth he presents.
II this, our first aoquainta, CO with
Southern people, is not very exceptional,
we are anxious for a vastly wider one.
We baVe rarely enjoyed so delightful a
ten days among strangers, longer
strangers. The weather was very change
able, throughout, and most Of the time
extremely dsagresbs but with such
kindly, genial hospitable people, "De-
! cember's as pleasant AS May"
After the 'ides of March shall have
come and gone, we will chronicle the
'march Of iiees" between our prospec-
tive opponent and J.w.H.
Have courage enough TO review vour