A multiplicity of official concerns and providential occurrences delayed this work, otherwise it might have appeared much

sooner.

The defence of truth was, the end I proposed by the public debate, it was the end I had in view when I wrote. How far it is gained the reader may judge...

I might mention that I understand Mr. C. is publishing a history of the dipute between Mr. M'Cala and himself; on the subject on which we disputed, I hope the public is apprized of the credit due to the statements in Mr C's. book, where himself is concerned.

The church of Christ feels the effect of devision, when the truth is told; sufficient are our defects; but any person who by known misrepresentation, will add to her grievances should not have his name enrolled among her members,

I only ask the reader to pass over all my defects in construction, or language, and receive my sentiments only so far as they are the mind of Christ.

New Athens, January, 14th. 1824.

INTRODUCTION.

Sometime early in the year 1820, Mr. Walker was requested to preach on the subject of baptism, at the house of a Mr. John Gray; about five miles S. W. from Mountpleasant, Ohio, in the vicinity of a Baptist meeting house. The Baptists about that time, were making a considerable stir in the neighbourhood, and such preachers as they had, were zealously opposing the doctrine of infant baptism, and the mode of sprinkling, in the administration of this sacrament. Mr. W. answered the request, and preached upon the subject. He felt conscious of the unpopularity of preaching on any disputed subject; but believed it to be his duty, rather to consult the interests of truth, than popular opinion. Accordingly, he preached on that passage, Math. 3. 11. I indeed Baptize you with water. In answering objections offered by Baptists, Mr. W. found it necessary to reply to some observations made by a Dr. Baldwin; because the Baptists were industriously circulating these pamphlets, in the neighbourhood at that time. When the sermon was closed, and the public work of the day finished, a Mr. Birch, said to be a Baptist preacher, requested Mr. W. to point out the part quoted in any of the works of Dr. Baldwin. Mr. W. had the pamphlet in his pocket, and the different passages marked, to which he refered, in the sermon. He immediately showed Mr. B. the passage. After some observations upon it, Mr. W. observed, that he understood there were two Baptist preachers present; that men professing this character, should be unwilling to mislead people; and that he thought it B

was now their duty to enter into a public conversation upon the subject: this would da justice toall parties, and would give the people an opportunity of judging for themselves. Mr. B. replied that he had to preach at some distance from that place, on that evening; and could not detain. Mr. W. observed that if it was not convenient for him then to detain, he thought it a duty they owed to their respective hearers and the church, again to meet, and converse upon the subject publicly. Mr. B. without agreeing, intimated to the people the day on which he would preach on the subject, and so closed the conversation.

Sometime after this, Mr. W. received a line from the same Mr. B. informing him, that he should be met on the subject of the sermon, by some Baptist minister. To which Mr. W. expressed his readiness to comply, upon two conditions. 1st. That he should be of good moral character: and 2ndly. That he should be a regular minister of the baptist society. Mr. B. in reply, wrote that he had obtained a consent from Mr. Alexander Campbell, a regular minister of their church, and intimated that he should meet Mr. W. for a public dispute on the 19th of June, at Mountpleasant. This is the whole foundation of the pompous and bantering advertisement of which Mr. C. declared himself the author.

Mr. W. neither challenged Mr. Campbell, or any other minister of the baptist church, for a public dispute. He requested a public conversation, with any who heard him preach the sermon on that subject, but did no more.

On the morning of the public dispute, Mr. W. requested some proof of Mr. C's being a regular Baptist minister. Mr. Birch read some of the ex

tracts of the minutes of their associations; these mentioned that Mr. C. was a writing clerk at some of their meetings; but whether he took any part in their deliberations, or decisions, was not stated: or whether he was a hired, voluntary, or stated clerk, no hint was given. Mr. W. as he had no disposition to decline the debate, however admitted that he was some species of Baptist minister; although he felt persuaded that the state of the Baptist church was low, when Mr. C. was chosen for their BEST.*

The following rules were Judges, Mr. Martin and Rev. ed by the disputants.

presented by the Findly, and sign

*It is disputed by some baptists, whether Mr. C. was ever admitted as a regular minister of their church; yet I think it probable he was, because I understand some left their communion in consequence of his admission. However, let this matter be as it may, some years ago, no baptist association," would have admitted him; for whatever were the conditions of his admission, it is now completely in his power to disseminate all his particular views amongst the members of that society-his opinion of the moral law-covenant of works, and particularly of the sabbath, will, in due time, take root among them. And, as there are but few learned ministers in that church, in the western country, it will give him influence. Whatever may be the opinion of his learned acquaintances, he considers himself no mean scholar. Influence, without soundness, is dangerous. It would be well for the Baptist association to read Paul's 1st. Epistle te the Corinthians.

This controversy shall be conducted by the fol 'lowing regulations, viz.

1st. It shall be opened with prayer, by some 'person agreed upon by the parties.

2nd. The parties shall not be permitted to in'terrupt each other, except to correct mistakes. '3rd. All diminutive, or disrespectful personal 'allusions, and all impassioned declamation, shall 'be deemed disorderly.

4th. In all cases, the privileges, and regula'tions of each party shall be equal.

5th. The points to be adhered to in the discussion, are first, the subjects, and secondly, the 'mode of christian baptism, viz. Are believing 'adults alone to be baptized, or are their infant. 'offspring to be included with them, in their right 'to that ordinance? and is immersion as the mode," 'exclusively to be used?

'6th. Each of the parties may, at their option,oc'cupy forty minutes in their stated replies, but 'shall not be obliged to fill up that length of time; 'nor on the account of stopping,even at the expira'tion of 3 or 5 minutes, be considered as yielding 'the question."

7th. This controversy will be the subject of adjournment, from day to day, until the subjects are discussed, to the satisfaction of the judges."*

* These rules being the constitution by which the disputants were governed, must have been more radically fixed in the memory of Mr. C. than any of Mr. W's speeches. The reader will do well to compare these rules with those mentioned by Mr. C. in his preface; and if, in the rules of the debate, such were his deviations, what is to be ex