another. I have nothing to say for or against the unitarian denomination. My object has been to advance the evidence in support of my charges against the ORTHODOX LEADERS. I hope moreover you will remember, that the question is not, whether the writer of these letters is a mere boy, who has embraced heretical opinions? I can indeed lay no claim to grey hairs, and as to my religious sentiments, they have nothing to do with the subject. I have stated facts. For the truth and accuracy of these, the documents now in my possession, and the individuals who have furnished them, are responsible. I have spoken with great freedom. I have aimed to call things by their right names. The provocation demanded this. The times require this. Religion sanctions this. I have no ill will towards a single Christian of orthodox sentiments. I have no love for controversy. Orthodox usurpations have driven me, contrary to my wishes, my feelings, my early associations, my very nature, into the field of theological warfare. I am not the man to see my dearest rights wrested from me, and the precious truths of Jesus slandered, without an effort for their preservation. I undertook the present work of my own accord. I could find no one who thought your attack on unitarians worthy of an answer. I viewed the subject in a different light. I wished to aid the cause of religious liberty. I have sincerely endeavoured to write in a Christian spirit. I am a plain spoken man, and may have unconsciously offended. If I have uttered one unchristian expression, I heartily ask forgiveness. But if I am a young man and my opinions are unitarian, these circumstances should have no unfavorable effect on the merits of the present publication. I shall regard personal attacks, or sarcastic sneers, or cold ridicule, as no sufficient answer to my plain statements, and logical conclusions. I hope you will remember finally, that the question, the first question at issue, is this: Are the principal statements in this publication substantially true? You will not forget that the second is like unto the first: Do these facts fully and fairly demonstrate the truth of the disputed proposition? I have no personal claims on you for an answer to these questions. I have no intention of urging any so far as I am personally concerned. But I do think you stand pledged to the Christian public, either to prove that these statements are false; or to show their consistency with religious liberty, free inquiry, and the principles of congregationalism. I do think that you are under solemn obligations to the religious community, either to retract several of your declarations which these facts prove incorrect; or to establish their truth by more satisfactory evidence than your mere assertion. As one of this public I call upon you to pursue one or the other of these courses. I cannot find a more appropriate conclusion than is furnished in your own words. "I could wish the call on you to do this had fallen into better hands than mine. But as the unpleasant task has not to my knowledge been undertaken, I have ventured upon it through a sense of duty. I can only appeal to the good sense, and equity, and candor of the community, for a justification of my course. If these condemn me, then let me stand condemned. If not, then I shall at least have the satisfaction of believing, THAT WHAT I HAVE DONE MAY CONTRIBUTE TO BRING MORE INTO LIGHT, CERTAIN MATTERS, WHICH IT HAS NOW BECOME HIGH TIME THAT OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD MORE FULLY UNDERSTAND." Yours respectfully, Waltham, December, 1830, BERNARD WHITMAN. LETTER I. I. USE MADE OF HUMAN CREEDS. 1. Theological Seminaries, page 2Andover Creed, 2. 2. Admission to Churches, 6. Case of the Church in Wilton, N. H., 9. 5. Exclusion of Ministers, 11-- Case of Rev. Mr. Duncan of Baltimore, 11. 6. Voting for Ministers, 12 - Trust Deeds, 12. II. MINISTERIAL INTERCOURSE. 1. Misrepresentation, 14— Case of the Rev. Mr. Hubbard of Middleton, 14Confession of the Rev. Mr. Braman of Danvers, 15- Confession of the Rev. Mr. Payson of Leominster, 15 - Confession of an Orthodox Gentleman, 16. 2. Threatening, 17- Case of an Orthodox Minister in Middlesex County, 17- Case of an Orthodox Minister in Pepperell, 17. 3. Oppression, 18. 4. Concealment, 19 - Case in Middlesex County, 19. 5. Orthodox Reasons for not exchanging with Unitarians, 21 Case in Connecticut, 21 Extract from writings of the Rev. Mr. Withington of Newbury, 22. III. ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNALS. 1. Consociations established, 23 Case of the Rev. Abiel Abbot of Coventry, Conn., 23-State Law against Unitarianism in Connecticut, 26. 2. Attempts to establish Consociations, 27-In the western part of Massachusetts, 27-By the Central Association of Hampshire County, 28 By the leaders of the Orthodox party, in 1815, throughout Massachusetts, 29. 3. Ecclesiastical Councils, 37 - Case of the Rev. Mr. Willard of Deerfield, 37-Case of the Rev. Mr. Goodwin of Sandwich, 38- Case of the Rev. Mr. Field, 39. 4. Ministerial Associations, 40 Hampshire Central Association, 41 -Franklin Association, 41 - Hopkinton Association, 41– Case of the Rev. Thomas Worcester of Salisbury, 42. 5. Churches, 43- Terms of admission into, 43-Excommunication from, 45Refusal to dismiss Members and to recommend them to Unitarian Churches, 47 Rights claimed and exercised by Churches, 51- Conferences of Churches, 53. Reasons for establishing new Churches, 61. V. DENUNCIATIONS. The Orthodox deny Unitarians the The Orthodox deny Unitarians the 3. The Orthodox assert that Unitarian Ministers are not Ministers of the Gospel, 66. 5. 4. The Orthodox assert that Baptism and the Lord's Supper, when administered by Unitarians, are not The Orthodox assert that UnitariChristian Ordinances, 66. rians spread their Doctrines by 6. The Orthodox assert that UnitariConcealment, 67. ans are Universalists, 69. 7. The Orthodox assert that Unitarians are Heretics, 71. 8. The Orthodox assert that Unitarians are Enemies to Jesus Christ, 71. 9. The Orthodox assert that Unitarians are Deists in Disguise, 72. 10. The Orthodox assert that Unitarians are Infidels, 73. 11. The Orthodox assert that Unitarians are Emissaries of Satan, Devils, and worse than the Devil, 74. 12. The Orthodox assert that Unitarians cannot be saved, but must go to Hell, 75. in Geneseo, N. York, 84. 4. Convention of Congregational Ministers, 85-Old Colony Association, 86-North Worcester Association, 86. 5. Andover Theological Seminary, 87 Undue influence used to cause the students to embrace Orthodox sentiments, 88-Means used to prevent students embracing Unitarianism, 89 Objections of Students to Orthodox opinions treated with ridicule, 89 - Students persecuted for controverting favorite opinions of the Professors, 89 Case of James Kimball, 89 Persecution of Professor Murdock, 90. 6. Misrepresentation, 91— of Unita- LETTER II. 93 3. The Orthodox have declared that it would be tempting God for Orthodox Parents to send their Sons to Harvard University, 141. V. ROMAN CATHOLICS. 2. Complaints that the Catholic II. DISAGREEMENT. 2. The Nature of the Son of God, 4. Agreement in Affection, 122 4. Complaints that the Catholic Faith is unsatisfactory and absurd, 145. VI. UNIVERSALISTS. Condemnation of the Universalists as unworthy to take an oath, 148. Condemnation of the Universalist doctrine as dangerous, 149. 2. 3. Denial to the Universalist of his Civil Rights, 150. 4. Depriving the Universalist of his VII. TRACTS. |