The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-06-09
Anent That "ScholaTly Reply" a"
BY REV. c. W. BLANCHARD.
Editor The ManninC Times:

Editor The Manning Times:
There have been several issues OF
your paper since Prof. New 5 scholarly
reply"t:) appeared, and It was so cruel
in him, to fire that second worc-Volley
before his vanquished foe had rallied
from the shock of the first.
1t will help one TO see how pltlless ne
is in handling his subjects. and account
for much of his recklessnesSl 10 the treat
ment of the Easter question. as we'll as
his use of the witnesses he has lmpelied
TO speak for him He is not the first OF
the 6evotees of the Easter celebration
who in modern times lacked experience
and rushed into the press TO defend this
rite of certain ecclesiastical bodies
whose creed. to them. becomes tanta-
mount TO inspired law.
Once before, d priest Of his Propensl-
ties. a very clever personal friend, took
me to task for my grievous error on this
subject. While he did observe the de-
corum of scholarly, clean debater, OF
which my present scholarly T., "nta"on-
isc could not be accused, he utte" v.i.>'l-
ed, like the last, to prove more 4
was set forth in the premises of my Ill.,.
article.
l. need not surprise US that one who
feels that the ceremony is so essential
should do all he could before the public
to make plausible defense OF 1t as a
Christian rite. 1t is its only hope, for 1t
utterly has no support from the Canor
of Scriptures and Apostolic practice, as
accredited by scholarly reference or our
own plain interpretation OF the WORD:
This affirmation I make IN the tace OF
past experiences with its defenders, ana
the present formidable, irrepresslole.
titular exponent Of the rite:
The uncouth sallies my Easter Wor-
shipping friend has made, in alluslons
10 matters with which he, nor the sub
iect in hand, had any thing to DO, only
Shows his estimate of the desperation OF
his cause. The waters OF his own oath
had surely gotten too hot Tor ms COM
fort or he would never have taken
plunge into the private one OF anotner,
unbidden. But now that he IS IN 1t,
with all the disdain feel for being N.Y.
self engaged in such thing, may be
excused, just for this once, II snail de-
part from my usual course, and delgn to
add sufficient temper to that sootnlng
vapor to force him to find covert next.
perhaps. in mud-pit.
There could doubtless come good from
fair discussion of this question IN
Christian spirit, but when one IS repul-
sed by dlsdain for the out OF place tac-
tics used bv an assailant it is not pleas
ant. WHY should my titular friend turn
aside from the Easter question, unpro'
Voked, to inter-meddle with the eXis-
tence Of 1.-TWO rival churches OF the same
town." Forsooth he got that from the
example of his church fathers.
| Would a man without authority or
even related concern do such a thing
who had not reached the ultimatum OF
his strength as an advocate? How hap
pened it to be any OF Prof. News ousl-
ness that such condition exists with:
out the pales Of his own church? And
who is the client he would defend: l
will answer his inquiry in this matter.
as no doubt he is innocently ~ seeking
for information, by saying that sucn
condition prevails by a right equally as
GOOD as that which justified Henry the
VIII in seceeding from the Roman nelr-
archy, and forming the Angllcan
church The difference however lies N
fundamental principle IN the divided
Baptist churches which makes sucn
thing possible in an orderly way; which
thing is verify certified in the case TO
which he alludes.
T wish for Prof. New, and all others
concerned, TO take note of my declara-
ton. I would not be member OF a
church that could not have fuss and
divide if they want 70.
When the holdings of an eccleslastl-
cal yoke becomes so oppressive that IN
dividuality among the members OF
given church could not express itself,
nv Americanism would resent 1t If l
had no knowledge CT the better author
ity for such action Baptists have con-
stitutional right to divide when they
| choose to do so for any reason, IN small
towns as well as great, and they nave
right by the laws OF Christian ethics,
to attend to their own affairs.
II this right is granted, my friend
who is so Jealous OF our veal, need lear
no lasting harm TO the cause. Baptist
division has unalterably worked by the
common laws OF multiplication. and
rightly poised it always makes at least
two certers of influence to emphasize
the divine right OF indlvlduallsm and
the simple gospel method.
The Professors reference to my
';Christmas'' editorial il The TINES,
and the Appeal for the observance OF
.Mother's Day." are equally as un-
worthy OF place in this discussion. Not
a word in either of them can be rele-
want to the Easter question by a far
fetched allusion, such as he has tried to
make. Not claim of Apostolical pre-
cedence or authority was made for them.
Not a religious setting even, that would
implicate the most fastidious conscience
in an embarrassment. Why did he bring
up these things?
/ Has the question run him mad? Will
the loss of his festival undo him: l sha.
pity him from the depths of nv soul if Ga
this matter hangs the fate of his eternal
hope, and he shall lose it. ''Let those
who have tears to shed prepare to she'd
them now." Like confused army, ne
seeks hiding in unwanton places, but ne
shall be discovered yet.
AS for me have nothing on earth to
lose in the debate If my conviction
holds, I shall be as am. If I am con-
vinced that have been in error on this
subject shall be an enlighted, benefit,
ed man. Mine is gain in any event, and
do not need to deport from rational
lines of conducting my plea:
have nothing or earth / would not
exchange for something better. On this
and ali points alike; | move with calm
resolution to plant myself on a firm
foundation, if it can be found, and am
not so corceited as to say there is moth
ing better tnan I have. But love to
trade after due delioeration, my friend
will yet be reminded. Since the winds
have blown from such deviatlng sources
to rout me from my position on the Eas-
ter question, settle more than ever
with a calm belief that | shall not be
disturbed.
l scarcely write for the press that |
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