On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
vgimn&Nfal % iltim > if JkZmA nsmfo&m wir wm ^ tssm ^ iM wmM nmhw ^ ^ l § # ^ iJl ^»^ W 3 » a ^ dpt * r I ¦ && : fully ceiiscious of being io some importat ^ respects 411 qualified for reli * gi <* # s eop&oversy , and would
cheerwily JkMW&u . it tQ those who possess more of Christian meekness , gentleness and humility , for I view it in my best and happiest states of mind as leading into temptation . As to this controversy in particular , it is probable that not only are my notions of
logical excellence too high and exclusive ^ but that my . estimate is too low of the opinions and arguments and logical abilities of the anti-baptists * Certain it is , however , that in my judgment the most respectable opponents by far , intellectually considered , I have yet bad to contend
with , are Robert Barclay imd the Dissenting Minister who has published particulars of his life : yet there are probably few of even the , antibaptists who think their arguments worthy of serious and formal refutation . And it is particularly unfortunate for me that I have had to
contend as it were in the dark with opponents who speak much and frequently and very unceremoniously about baptism and Baptists , but who have hitherto published very little about them in print . Whilst preparing- my lecture tor the pulpit and the press I
was incessantly assailed with offensive matter reported to me by credible witnesses , such as that baptism is a worn-out * foolish superstition , and that we should only expose our weakness a ^ d ignorance by attempting to
defend it : in short , baptism and Baptists were represented as objects of derision and pity . I did think that opponents who could employ such weapons merited very little ceremony but much scornful rebuke and severe
castigation . I am not surprised , therefore , that Dr . Jones should say , I treat my adversaries with too little ceremony , or that others should think me guilty of much violence and uncharitableness ; and I have heard all
sorts pf meek , mild , gentle and candid criticism ( for reporters abound ) of my lecture , which I find is not only anticikristian but diabolical . Some , indeed , of the more charitably disposedj I am told , kindly exculpate me from all blame fry representing
Untitled Article
me as wlvoHy ircesponsiyti ' * 4 & * ^ words « nd actiooe ; ? $ * && . ? - ¦ ¦ ** & $$ & * 1 Th $ cfeicC ^ a ^ i ^ Ktefcr J wj ^ fc ^ that somite < rfmyremarks areliahl ^ to be misnnd ^ stood and -miaapptai ^ riw ated . A gentleman © £ aca < ler > ntv
eminence complained to me that 1 had represented ! feima& v& « aemy to the Baptists , $ n& tj * at fcfe thought k trafair to introduce Ms j * at » e iti * a &eiv mon , especially when accompanied with a sneer . But I had no
intention of representing him as an enemy to the Baptists , and I have n ^ ifer thought hitu an enemy . It was with some reluctance I introduced his name , and as to what he considers a sneer , nothing more vyas intended by it than an intimation that acadeniic
advantages and honours are no absolute guarantee for correct thinking and sound reasoning with an oUliqiie hint that he ini ^ bt possibly overvalue the excellencies of his Alma M $ | g ^ and undervalue the attainments and
talents which have not been for * nfcd under her fostering eare . I can assare that distinguished gentleman and his friends that I consider l » s acacternic advantages truly enviable ^ = ancl that I think highly both of his acquirements and merits * When I found so soon after the publication of my
lecture that the abpve genttemaa was dangerously ill , I was deeply grieved that I had written a single , sentence which could be considered disrespectful towards him , or which was in the smallest degree calculated to offeiujl or hurt his mind . Ah , My . Editor ! most of us have had sufficient experience of human infirinitv to humble
and soften our heart . JAMES GILCHRIST . P . S . Dr . Jones remarks that my arguments have more confidence tihaii solidity . If they want solidity they will be the more easily blown on the wind . As to confidence , I devoutly wish I had half as much of it
respecting many subjects of grave importance as I possess respecting baptism .
Untitled Article
5 ^ < v ^ rtyS&psteMtm *^^
Untitled Article
' i ; Sir , Sept . 4 , 1826 . j COMPELLED by the nature of my profession to the frequent exercise of the reasoning- faculty , I confess that I am more attentive H > the difficult questions which are a onetimes mooted in t \* e pug ^ s of . -yowr
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1826, page 516, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2552/page/8/
-