hon Upas, which is beautiful; while the shade of the real tree is disease, and the fruit, death.

Were I disposed to use all the epithets, found in the vocabulary which the excitement of the times has rendered but too common, I might call him an enemy to religion, a sacrilegious man, a blasphemer, a tyrant, a most violent usurper of unjust dominion over others, a slanderer of the dead and the living, the man of sin, the son of perdition. But passion is not piety; the calling of hard names is not argument; the loading of an opponent with curses and detraction, is not the most probable way of convincing him, nor is the exhibition of the odium theologicum a very happy exemplification of obedience to those precepts, which require us, when we are reviled, not to revile again, and demand that "the servant of the Lord should not strive, but be gentle towards all men, meekly instructing those who oppose themselves to the truth, if peradventure God will give them repentance."

CHAPTER VI.

THE HISTORY AND MYSTERY OF A CERTAIN FORTY-ONE DOLLARS AND FORTY-FOUR CENTS.

THE collisions in the political world-the disputes between contending parties-the contentions among the dif ferent orders of christians-and I may add, the conflicts. among brethren of the same household-have all tended to keep alive that keen sensibility of soul which makes us watch each other's movements with a jealous eye, to mark any deviations from what each one may think just and true, with a more than usual solicitude. All this, if kept within the bounds of christian moderation, may be productive of much good. But if suffered to run wild, in the open fields of bold and unchastened speculation, to riot at large in an unrestrained abuse of each other's measures and conduct, instead of promoting peace and good will among men, it will only tend to engender strife, and to stir up every evil work. Aware of these things, I have endeavored in this work, as much as possible, to avoid coloring as high as I might have done, and still have kept strictly within the bounds of truth. This rule I shall observe in this chapter. Like the fabled Dragon, which is said never in sleep to close his lidless eyes, I have, for several years past, exerted my every nerve in defence of truth, and in opposing error; and this I will continue

It is

to do, while I have strength to wield a pen, or lungs, to sound the alarm. I am well aware of the deadly opposition which will be made to this work; notwithstanding it has, heretofore, been the policy of those whose evil deeds I have brought to the light, to treat me with silent contempt. Being a kind of privileged character, I have several times been allowed peaceably to publish my sentiments to the world; and great pains have been taken, to make the above unfavorable impression on the public mind, for the express purpose, of preventing what I might say from having its due weight. rational to expect this from those whose unholy designs are tried, yet so as by fire." Let them pour upon me the vials of contumely, reproach, defamation, and all the baser passions of the human heart, I shall still go on in the bold but even tenor of my way. The law of Athens, at one time, made it a capital offence for any citizen to remain neutral in times of danger. This is as it should be. A lukewarm friend is more to be dreaded than an open enemy. If we lean upon them for support, we shall find to our cost, that we have leaned upon a broken reed. Away, then, with this mean, contemptible, time-serving policy. This is no time to "become all things to all men,"at least, in the sense some seem to understand the injunction. But I must fly off in a tangent to another subject.

The most shameful transaction connected with the iniquitous workings of Hopkinsianism, in East Tennessee, is that of the collection and distribution of a certain forty-one dollars and forty-four cents, taken up at a Synodical meeting held in Athens, in the Fall of 1830. That the reader may more fully understand this matter, I will here re-publish a circular, which some few weeks after this occurrence was published and circulated through that section of country.

"STRANGE PROCEEDINGS.

"On the Sabbath of the Hopkinsian Synod, at Athens, Ten. this fall, a Sermon was delivered by the Rev. I. A. on the subject of the accomplishment of the MILLENNIUM in less than four-score years, in which it was given as his decided opinion, that whatever means the Divine Being might employ, the Gospel would be a principal instrument in the accomplishment of the universal spread of the Redeemer's Kingdom. This being the fact, it follows of course, that it must be supported; and exhibits at once, the great importance and necessity of the contributions of every friend to cliristianity; as, also, the exceeding virtue of such an act of benevolence.

After an enumeration of the destitute millions now inhabiting this earth, who are not blessed with the means of Grace, the congregation were ar dently solicited to aid in this great and glorious work, in order to com municate Gospel liberty to these slaves of heathenism, to contribute their

ten dollars, five dollars, one dollar, half dollar, quarter dollar, and whatever they choose. Accordingly a collection of about forty-one dollars and forty-four cents was made for the use and support of Foreign Missions, which, on the next day, by a unanimous vote of the Synod, was appropriated to the use and support of Home Missions. Had the congregation been apprised that it was designed for the use and support of Home Missions, it is presumable the amount of contributions would not have been quite so great. Can a Christian Ministry act in this way and be guiltless? Does not such disguised villainy lie shrouded with the mantle of Christian benevolence, at the bottom of most of their schemes of Gospel monopoly?

Should the facts herein contained be disputed, they will, at any time, be proven and established by the best of testimony.

Nov. 20, 1830."

A FRIEND TO THE BEST INTEREST OF MAN.

Now, I have repeatedly been charged with writing the above circular, and I have as repeatedly denied the charge; not that I disapprove of its publication, or disbelieve its contents. But, had I written it, instead of saying "strange proceedings," I would have said, COMMON PROCEEDINGS! For among these clerical jugglers, this mode of embezzlement, this species of clandestine conspiracy, against the pockets and purses of the American people, is but too common. The following correspondence will enable the reader to decide upon the authorship of this production:

"STRAWBERRY PLAINS, April 28, 1834. "Rev. George Horne:-Sir, I have to request a favor of you, which, if leisure will permit and inclination prompt, I am sure you will grant. It is this; I wish to know if you are not the author of a certain circular published in 1830, headed "strange proceedings," and signed "A FRIEND TO THE BEST INTEREST OF MAN," and purporting to be an exposition of a certain Jesuitical exploit, performed in your town by certain Hopkinsian preachers, in relation to a certain forty-one dollars and forty-four cents.

I expect shortly to publish a book, in which, I intend to set this sacrilegious transaction forth in its true light; and if you are the author of the production to which I allude, and have no objection, I will use your name to that effect.

I have, myself, been charged with the authorship of the aforesaid circular; and though I had no part or lot in the matter, yet, I know its contents to be true; and after it had made its appearance, I cordially approv ed its publication, as did many others, to my certain knowledge. I am, Reverend Sir, your obedient humble serv't.

W. G. BROWNLOW."

"ATHENS, TEN. 27th June, 1834. Brother Brownlow:-Dear Sir, I returned home from the East, day be fore yesterday, and received your favor of the 28th April last, requesting me to inform you whether or not, I am the author of a certain circular, headed "strange proceedings," and signed "A friend to the best in terest of man." With regard to this, I can but reply in the affirmative; having written it from a personal knowledge of the facts therein exposed;

and having been inclined thereto from a desire to correct error, without injuring the feelings of any consistent and pious persons;-I have however, no particular wish that it should be re-published, but as you may not wish to be regarded as its author, I shall not object to your making any use of it that you may wish.

Respectfully, &c."

GEORGE HORNE."

As a powerful struggle will be made to get out of this shameful matter, I will adduce such clear and strong proof, as will place it beyond the reach of successful contradiction. The following certificate I obtained the day after this collection was raised:

"At the request of Mr. Brownlow, we the undersigned do certify, that we were at the Hopkinsian Synodical meeting, held in Athens in October, 1830; and on Sabbath of said meeting, we heard Doctor Anderson preach what he called a missionary sermon, at the close of which, the hats were carried round, and a collection of money raised for the support of the missionary cause. In the sermon, the speaker frequently spoke of the accomplishment of the Millenium, and enumerated the destitute nations, naming the heathen nations yet destitute of the Gospel, and ardent; ly solicited the aid of the people to supply said heathens. We moreover certify, that we heard nothing in said sermon to authorize a belief, that the money was for any other purpose but that of Foreign Missions.

G. R. COX,

JOHN HARDWICK,
JOHN BOLDING."

"Being requested to state what we know, about a certain collection and appropriation of $41 and some cents, at the Hopkinsian Synod held at Athens last fall, we think proper to say that we evidently understood the collection to have been made for the use of Foreign Missions, and we were astonished on the next day, or day after, to notice an appropriation of the above collection of $41 and some cents, by the members of the Synod unanimously, to the use of Home Missions. Given under our hands 29th July, 1831.

GEORGE HORNE
ABRAM A HEARD."

"This is to certify, that I held a conversation with Doctor Anderson in Maryville, relative to the money collected at the Synod in Athens last fall, and he told me that he did not say what society of missions the money was for, and that foreign missions were not named at the time the collection was made!!! He also told me that they had appropriated the money to the use and support of Home missions, and that Mr. Hoyt had the money ready for the Board.

August 7, 1831.

IRA FALLS."

In commenting on the above certificates, and the matter to which they refer, I have only to say, that all six of the men whose names are attached thereunto, are gentlemen of the first respectability; and three of them, to wit, Horne, Bolding and Falls, are Ministers of very respectable standing in

the Methodist Episcopal Church. However, I must be permitted to add, that, to my own knowledge, the gentleman who preached the aforesaid sermon, was particular to mention Africa, Greenland, and the Aborigines of our own country, as the objects of the people's charity; and he assured them, that their money would be appropriated to the use and support of missionaries who might be sent out to those destitute regions. How the gentleman will avoid the charge of having acted with duplicity on that occasion, I know not, unless he shall say that by the aborigines he meant the Hiwasseans;-that by Greenland he meant the Sequatcheans; --and that by Africa he intended Western Virginia or the upper part of East Tennessee, as the negro population is greatest in those parts!

Knowing as I did, that there were but three Boards, to which the Presbyterians accounted for monies received in this. way, viz: the Assembly's Board at Philadelphia, the Foreign Board at Boston, and the Home Board at New York; and being determined at the same time, to ascertain, if possible, what had become of this money, I addressed letters to each of these places, of which the following is a copy:

"MADISONVILLE, TEN. July 5th, 1831. "Dear Sir-At the last Synodical meeting held in Athens, Tennessee, in October last, there was a certain sum of money collected for the use and support of Foreign Missions; and the individual whose duty it was to have forwarded it to you, has not done so, as we think. If he have not, there is a defect somewhere, and we wish to remedy it. You will please write to me upon the reception of this, and let us know whether you have received the money, or an equivalent.

I am, very respectfully, &c.

W. G. BROWNLOW."

"BOSTON, July 19, 1831.

Dear Sir:-Your favor of the 5th inst. has this day been received. The Rev. Mr. Potter of Creek Path, and the Rev. Mr. Chamberlain of Willstown, received $58 88, collected at the meeting of the Synod of West Tennessee; and accounted to our Board for the same, and the money is acknowledged in the Missionary Herald for December last, page 400.-I presume this is the money to which you refer. But if it is not, I should be much obliged by any information which you may be able to give me rsepecting it.

I am, dear Sir, yours very respectfully, MR. W. G. BROWNLOW."

HENRY HILL.

"OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF MISSIONS, JULY 21st, 1831. S

"Dear Sir:-Your letter of the 5th inst. was duly received. I have examined our receipts from the time of the meeting of your Synod, and see no acknowledgment of any money collected at that time: you mention for Foreign Missions; if it was collected for that object, it might have