Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-05-06

might be better accommodated, as to the
public worship of Almighty God As my
advanced age and infrm health did not adj
init of my having the charge of the whole
parish, they wished me to preach to them,
as separate society This | have done
ever since the first Sabbath in April, 1914.
when in the course of my education |
was called to study the controversial points
| paid great attention to them, and my
opinions respecting them became estab
lshed, and are now very much the same
they have been the last 80 years of my life.
Zone would have thought that being the
only minister in this town for 90 years, my
sentiments in religion must have been pretty
well known. l always thought and said
we should worship one God the Father,
through one mediator, tue Lord Jesus
Christ, by the gracious assistance of one
spirit. st. Paul observes, Eph.
H., 13, Through him we have access by one
spirit unto the Father > and chap. III, IA,
For this cause | bow my knees unto the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Rom.
VIII, 6, TO us there is one God the Father,
and one Lord Jesus Christ | always ex-
phcitly declared my sentiments, excepting
on two points-the doctrine of election and
reprobation, and the doctrine of the trinity.
On the former | seldom said anything at all,
and never professed to believe it. On the
other, the trinity. which | never could un-
derstand, generally made use of scripture
language. Had these controverted points
been brought into the pulpit | should have
judged it a shameful waste of sacred time
and they would very likely have occasioned
disputes and strife about what we can none
of us understand | therefore
judged it more prudent to say but little
about them, these difficult questions, though
of little Importance having been matter of
bitter contention in the church for 1900
years. For this mode of proceeding my
heart will never reproach me so long as |
live. In all other points always expressed
myself without any reserve And 1t may
be fairly supposed that had not my doctrine
and manner of preaching, and manner of
life, too, been agreeable to the society in
genei al, they would not have chosen me
for their pastor for 20 years in succession.
Mr.. Wes's doctrinal views had evident
! ly aroused discussion, and had doubtless
been severely criticised and caused division
of sentiment, for he goes on from this point
to say that, "Within these two years strange
reports have been circulating respecting my
erroneous opinions in religion, particularly
as to the doctrine of the trinty-a word
that never occurs in the word of God. -
He speaks at some length on the nature of
Christ declaring himself not a Socinian,
or one who denies that Christ had an exist
ehce before he came into this world but in
his broad tolerance he dares not condemn
those who embrace Socinanism. He sees
in the nature of Christ mystery that can
not be comprehended. He believes that,
according to the teaching of Scripture,
Christ made an atonement for the sin OF
mankind, but he does not understand the
manner in which it is brought about. He
therefore thankfully receives the doctrine
"just as | would thankfully receive any eff
ficacious medicine that would certainly cure
a most dangerous disease, though | knew
nothing of the ingredients of which it was
composed, or the manner in which it op
Grated ON the human frame"
He declares his acceptance Of the doc
trne of the fall of man, but, he says, "tht
fall of man, as it is called, is our misfor
tune, but not our fault" This part of hi,
discussion he concludes by saying with evi
dent emphasis:
"But that all mankind are liable to eter
nal damnation for Adamss sin is what dc
not believe. And as for innocent chill
dren being punished forever in futur,
world for the sins of their remote or i'm
mediate parents is so dreadful and shock
ing an idea that it ought never to enter the
human mind"
What remains of the controversial par
| l. I ~. / l.. 1
votes to the doctrine of the trinity.
asked if he believed in the trinity, or &C
cepted the phrases in which the dogma il
expressed, be would answer: These ar,
human phrases which do not understand
and no two that have attempted to explain
| them have agreed in their explanation
They are doxologes, fetched from the darl
and barbarous ages of popery, unknown t
the apostles and first Christians, and hav,
occasioned endless contention and animos
ity."
''This controversy began about the yea
, 81 of the Christian era, and hath beer
! carried on with no small animosity, in al
most every age, during 500 years
1.-The doxologies above mentioned FORM il
| q great measure, bDt standard OF tne OrtlO
dox opinions on the trinity; and if a perso
will subscribe and use them, that settles tn
matter, no suspicious of heresy are sus
5 tanned | must decline having anything t
do with them. They perplex rather tina
explain the doctrine in question, and wer
framed on purpose to ensnare the cor
: sciences of men. And if any will thin
y hard of me, because do not understand
/ cannot subscribe, and will not use, thes
; unintelligible phrases and will estimate m
, by these unjust measures and weights, an
A these false balances, which have no rigl
v to place in the sanctuary of God,
II If for these reasons they denounce me
y rejecting the Saviour, and denying the Lor
y that bought us, l will say they defame."
Mr. Wells protests earnestly, but in cal
1t and dignified temper, against attempts
r call him to any human bar for judgmel
r for his opinions, for censure, or to be bran,
e ed with opprobrious names. "The
groundless suspicious, hard speeches, u
n just censures and cruel proceedings will
II found another day amongst the hay al
= stubble that will be burned"
II In conclusion the preacher thus declar
his own duty and philosophy of life for IL
=. time that may remain to him;
d "Here l am between 20 and so years
IS age, full of infirmities which | expect
J. carry with me to the grave, waiting al
> hoping, and occasionally even longing,
oil x.l,av ,,,( III,