Page images
PDF
EPUB

published a Greek Grammar, which is totally incorrect; that he was denied the use of the church in Lombard-street any longer, which is equally untrue; which statement he has repeated several times since, though it has been as often contradicted; and he has given no evidence whatever of its truth. He has also stated

6

since the discussion that I have refused to meet him again; that I sent him the first number of the minutes of the discussion, and requested him to point out the errors if there were any; with several other statements, which I could name if I were disposed to multiply them, not one of which is correct. And, after all, I am not disposed to "call Mr. M'Calla a liar,'" though you quoted those words, a liar!" thereby insinuating that he had been so called by a few who believe in the "universal salvation of mankind," among whom you undoubtedly meant to include me! Such insinuations, without proof, more than to say, "these SEEM to me, &c." I consider far beneath the dignity of either the gentleman or the christian. It is more charitable to impute such intemperate language as that which has been used by Mr. M'Calla, and his vindicator, to a disturbed imagination, or a disordered brain, than it is to say that it proceeds from a worse motive. To say that such language proceeds from a mind that is "sound," is only to acknowledge, in other words, that it comes from a heart "desperately wicked."

I challenge you, sir, to show the least evidence that Universalists" doubt the veracity of God!" And what evidence can you give why it should so" SEEM" to you other than the evil surmisings of your own heart? By what evidence does it " SEEM to you that Universalists "believe in the veracity of the father of lies, who said, ye shall not surely die?" I know of no Universalist but what believes that Adam did die the very death threatened, and that too" in the day" of his transgression. But those who believe that God threatened all mankind with eternal death, and then saves some of them from it; what do they but doubt the veracity of God," and "believe in the veracity of the serpent, who said to our mother Eve, who, no doubt, was one of the elect, and who now says to all the elect, "ye shall not surely die?'' Unless all mankind die the death threatened as a consequence of sin, how can you vindicate the testimony of God, or prove that the testimony of the serpent was false?

66

If some of these remarks should be rather "highly seasoned," so as to make your lips smack,"* how could you expect any thing better from "Milton's devil?"

As to my inferiority, in every thing that is either learned, good or amiable, to Mr. M'Calla, in the opinion of one who supposes my "understanding and other mental faculties" so much 'perverted," as the writer of the letter which I am now answering, it

*See your notice in the public papers of Mr. Brownlee's work against the Quakers, previous to its publication.

gives me no uneasiness whatever; because, in the mind of the man with whom Mr. M'Calla stands so very high, I may be inferior, and yet not be

very low.

I am glad that Mr. M'Calla's letters to me have been read by "thousands," with so much "delight." I hope they will also be willing to read the discussion.

Philadelphia, Sept. 13th, 1824.

No. 20.

ABNER KNEELAND.

There was in the Democratic Press of Sept. 10th, 13th and 15th, a contest between Mr. Jennings and an anonymous writer by the name of Justice, in which the latter convicted the former of corruption in his report of the debate. He also produced evidence, both internal and external, that the report was under the management of Mr. Kneeland. Mr. Jennings denied that the book was written at Mr. Kneeland's house, but confessed that it was sold there, because it was a more central situation than his own! He confessed that he knew not even the letters of the sacred languages, but denied that Mr. Kneeland, or any body else aided him in writing his critical notes on these languages, except his " theologian" at his "elbow, which by the bye, is a little family dog." These are his own words. In the same paper, and in the Franklin Gazette, there was a controversy between Mr. Magoffin and Mr. Morse, in which the former convicted the latter of falsehood in repeated instances. Mr. Morse hints very strong suspicions that his antagonist obtained assistance from me in writing. This report which is utterly destitute of truth, he appears to have invented as an excuse for obtaining such assistance himself. His first and second pieces against Mr. Magoffin could not have been written by the same hand, and we shall soon see that the same remark is applicable to bis first and second pieces against me in Nos. 17 and 24.

No. 21.

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS, of sept. 22D.

DEBATE ON UNIVERSALISM.

Just published and now for sale, in four numbers, at 25 cents each, Minutes of a Discussion of the Universalist Question, between Mr. Abner Kneeland and Dr. E. S. Ely, conducted in the Universalist Synagogue in Lombard street, Philadelphia, July 13 to 17, 1824. Taken in short-hand, by R. L. Longhand."

This debate originated in the following challenge of Mr. Kneeland to Dr. Ely, as published in the Franklin Gazette of the 15th inst.* viz: "I challenge you, Sir, to shew, the least evidence that Universalists doubt the veracity of God," &c.

As it is probable that Dr. Ely, like a petulant friend of his, will say that this is a spurious report, seeing that the debate has never yet taken place, I would ask that gentleman what advantage there is in waiting? Does he expect that I could give the public a more faithful transcript of his language, sentiments and method after hearing him than before? A little experience would teach him better. One fact is better than a thousand theories; and it is a fact that cousin R. L. Short-hand was lately present at a debate, and he has ascribed to one of the parties, if my information be correct, language which he never uttered, and sentiments which he never believed. All that can be asked of a Reporter is that he shall do justice to the argument; and this can be done as well before the debate as afterward.

My opportunities of doing justice to Mr. Kneeland's argument are peculiarly happy, since every word in this report of mine is copied from a book lately published by my cousin R. L Jennings, now a Universalist Preacher. This book Mr. Kneeland says is "as faithful a report as ever was made," and will therefore enable me to shew is strength to great advantage.

66

The whole work is hereby submitted to the respective parties and the moderators for their inspection." They are hereby requested to note any errors that they may observe" affecting the argument on either side." "Should no errors be pointed out by [them] notwithstanding this request, it will be considered an acknowledgment of the correctness of the work, and it will be recommended to the public accordingly."

As I, in company with my cousin, R. L. Jennings, would be glad of "a more central situation than my own to dispose of the work," he would oblige me by permitting his brother" who stays at Mr. Kneeland's through the day," for the sale of his books, to sell mine also. Mr. Kneeland also would confer a favour by taking my books through the streets under his arm, along with cousin R. L. Shor.-hand's productions. By this, however, I would not have the public to understand that Mr. Kneeland has any thing to do in my publication. I solemnly declare upon the veracity of a Universalist Preacher, that I have no connexion with that gentleman; no, not even so far as to have cousin R. L. Jennings' little family dog" 6 at my elbow." Without detaining the reader farther than to observe that the purchase of one number is an engagement for the whole work, I proceed now to the discussion.

No. 1.

Tuesday, Forenoon-Dr. Ely opened by clearing away the rubbish.

[blocks in formation]

Mr. Kneeland. He has his mind marked out in a particular track; for, having anticipated, as he supposed, the ground which would be occupied by his opponent, he had his matter ready cut and dried to meet him. Has he referred to a single passage in the scripture to support his side of the argument?.

Afternoon.-Dr. Ely enters upon his proofs.

Mr. Kneeland. He seems indeed to avoid the proposition altogether. I had expected he would have brought forth his strongest arguments in support of his side of the question, but am sorry to find he has not produced a single one relative to the point in

discussion.

No. 2.

Wednesday, Forenoon.-Dr. Ely advances in the argument. Mr. Kneeland. Let him come to the question, and the moment he can prove his proposition true, that moment I give up the contest, and must submit. But as he has brought forward nothing for me to answer; nothing in support of his argument; I have nothing to refute. I do not know even how to consume my thirty minutes! [Laugh.] My opponent has charged me with challenging the world to a public discussion. This I positively

deny.

Afternoon. More proofs from Dr. Ely.

Mr. Kneeland. I ask what did we come here to do? Why collect this crowded and respectable audience together? Was it not to discuss the proposition read in your hearing? I have therefore urged him on his own account, and for the sake of this enquiring assembly, if he be able to handle his doctrine as he ought, that he do it at once; for as yet, he has not said one word about it. It is useless for him to take up your time, and to disappoint your expectations by talking about my opinions and the supposed inconsistencies of my writings; for they have no bearing upon the point whatever! It appears to me, and I think it must also appear to you, that my opponent had not only the outlines, but the very body of his argument prepared before he came to the controversy; for he is going straight on in his long story without taking notice of aught I say. No. S.

Thursday, Forenoon.-Dr. Ely goes straight on.

Mr. Kneeland. I feel anxious to consume my thirty minutes, but in truth; I know not what to say. I have so repeatedly called upon my opponent to come forward with his evidence, that I think there will be no necessity to call upon him again, if he has any to produce. He has certainly not produced any yet that I observed, and I pay all the attention to my opponent's arguments that they deserve, as I take minutes of every thing of importance which he advances connected with the subject, and yet I have observed nothing. It has been suggested to me this morning, as a report in circulation, and very generally received; that an im

pression was made upon the audience assembled here yesterday afternoon, very much in favour of my opponent, and that his cause was rising. If it be so I am truly glad of it! There is no person present to whom such a report atlords more satisfaction than to your speaker; for, to it, in a great measure, may be attributed your being drawn together this morning in increased numbers. I am also glad that his cause is rising in your minds, because the more powerful impression he now makes on you, respecting the truth of his doctrine, the greater will be his defeat if he should fail to prove it. I am sorry that truth constrains me to declare, I have met with more powerful evidence, brought in favour of eternal misery, by lay-men, even by apprentice boys, at the Commissioner's Hall in the Northern Liberties, than I have heard this morning from my opponent. I feel sorry that a reverend gentleman should have come all the way from to teach the citizens of Philadelphia theology, without being possessed of abilities better adapted to the task. Afternoon. The Doctor's evidence increases in strength.

Mr. Kneeland. Has he proved his part of the proposition? Has he met me on the point which was to decide it? No. he has not. And is it because he has evaded it, and has tried to lead you away from it, that his cause is rising? Does his cause yet rise? Does it yet make the shining faces as I understand so many of his friends had this morning? "After a short lucid interval Mr. Kneeland observed My hearers must perceive the reason why I go into this extraneous matter.-What shall I do?-Say nothing? If my opponent will give me any thing better to talk about, I will not wander.

No. 4.

Friday, Forenoon. Dr. Fly still strengthens his proofs. Mr. Kneeland. As my opponent has given me nothing new to reply to, I have nothing of course to say in answer. Is the cause of my opponent still rising. Has he gained such a wonderful victory? The nearer a man approaches to the brink of a steep precipice the greater is the danger of his falling over. Has it not been so with my opponent? He would have drawn back, but I was too close behind him.

Afternoon. Mr. Kneeland. While I am speaking he is reading his little book, without attending to the arguments I may offer against his doctrine. My opponent has once more turned to his little book, and of this I am glad, for he has really entertained you better with what he has read therefrom, than he did in his former address. This is no discussion-this is continued reading straight forward on his part, and incessant entreaties on mine, to bring him to the point in dispute.

Dr. Ely being informed by Mr. Kneeland that the house might not be had any longer, closed.

« PreviousContinue »