The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
"a SHARP CRITICISM.
tSEE DR.. DANIEL ATTACKS Mr..
90 90 .ne4LAN's HISTORY
In Behalf ofs,s Presbyterian Church of
Tennessee1 "a Charge OF "DiShonoriug
Anegations's Mndo-Mr. Phelan Called
70 Explain.

To the Editor Of JSe Appcil
Sir-ChGe3men often fail as politicians.
Conversely, may not politicians gro
tesquely blunder as churchmcn9
CONGRESSMAN Phelan, in the "history"
Of which he Is author, has written a chap
ter on Religion in Tennessee" lie has
written one chapter. II was the least he
could do in every sense. And yet IL was
too muchl Why2 Because that one
chapter stamps inaccuraey and supcriici-
ality upon tho authors whole work. OF
this oyery Presbyterian will be convinced
when he shall have read the following ex-
tract, pages 22l and 222
'The great learning, the deep piety, the
dauntlcss seli-sacrifce Of the Presbyterian
ministers could uot be doubted. but their
passion and ieryor throye only in the midst
of danger and persecution. The white
heat of their faith as an active force IN
human life appcascd, miugated and
tempered In those surroundings oi in
dividual liberty and freedom OF worship
for which they were prepared TO battle
with such intrepid foriitudo and resolule
audacity. Disputes involving points OF
doctrinal belief and questions OF discipline
were constantly arising, and differences OF
. opinion and variations even In non-esscn'
tials were frequently punished With the
extreme rigor OF ecclesiastical ccnsufc.
qhe spiritual life OF the South
west was growing daily narrower
and harder. The organization and
general spirit Of the church was Isle pc
culiarly adapted for lsicl n revival Of ac.
tiyity and yigor. The so'called revival
that In the early part OF the seventeenth
century spread from Antrim throughout
Ulster and then 10 Scotland, and the Wis.
ite OF John Whitfield 70 this country had
made this apparent. But this new light
had coon nickofcd out-eo completely that
tho son Of Alexander Craighead, one oI
tho leaders Of the carly revival, was
the most determined opponent OF the
last Tho forms remained, but there
was no vitality. no flashing OF the electric
sharks Of human sympathy, no trumpet
coils 10 repentance, no attempts TO tonci
those wonderful receeses Ia which are hid
den the tears, the loves, tho desires, the
pains, the apturcs, the tremors, the pas
sions and the Joys Of every human heart
What grammatical constructions are here
'sThorc was no trumpet callsV
And what inflated rhetoric here SWELL
10 very bum,ingl Tears" and loves,
and desires" and pains" and rap
lures" and atremor,' and passions,
and "joys," giddily skate around over ih
thin ico Of n single sentence. Ali poll
clan might 90 dcclaim 10 the masses; but
historian should not write such folly Q
"Religion In Tennessee"
But, Worst Of all, what lack Of histories
verify is herel "'fhc spiritual life Of IN
Southwest was growing daily nanowe
AMI harder" under the influence u Oh
Presbyterian Church, and a time cam
when that body was without VITA
lty." without sympathy" without "a
tcmpts 10 touch" Tho rccesscso Of the huma
hcart And Of this Icy deadncss other o
fsnisn,ions we're born, as the author (
"ReiieIon In fenncssoe" proceeds 10 show
Prcsbytehans are Indignant respcciin
his travesty Of truth. Mr. Phelan is o