THE CAUSE IN MARION, IOWA.
By Editor
THE following we copy from the Marion (Iowa) Herald, at which place Bro. Cornell has just been holding a series of meetings. It will give the brethren something of an idea of the kind of opposition the truth has to meet in that place. LETTER FROM REV. M. E. CORNELL.
EDITOR MARION HERALD, Sir: I accept the offer of your columns to point out the "errors" referred to in my note in the Register of last week; and hoping to do so in a candid, Christian manner I will proceed to take up the points of the article in order as follows: 1ST. "He denounced the Christian religion." ANSWER. I most firmly believe the Christian religion as taught by Christ and the Apostles, and have never knowingly taught contrary to them in a single instance. I have said however, that a mere empty profession, or churchianity, would save no one. 2ND. Called us Sabbath breakers, having the mark of the beast." A. I stated that I did not pretend to say that any one in Marion now had that "mark;" that in order to the reception of the mark in a scripture sense, the people must be enlightened as to what the mark is, and a law be passed enforcing it. 3RD. "He was afraid to meet Mr. McConnell." A. I contended for an equal chance in the propositions, but have never, either in public or private, manifested any fear to engage in discussion with him. 4TH. That I advertised my books on Sunday, with the words "cheap for cash," is a mistake. But I did say, "we have books on these subjects which can be had after the congregation is dismissed." I cannot see how it can be an insult to take pay for religious books on Sunday any more than to take subscriptions for religious papers, or collections for other religious purposes. Ministers and members of different orders have frequently purchased books of me on Sunday. 5TH. "Denounced the people of Marion as being supporters and apologists of slavery." A. I have not once referred to the position of the people of Marion on that subject. I spoke of the number of slaves held in the United States by professors of religion, but declared that I was no politician, and therefore did not plead for men or measures. 6TH. "Said George Washington was the author of the most infamous law ever passed in a civilized government." A. I said the fugitive slave law, came from the head of government—from Washington, referring only to the city, bearing, unworthily, so illustrious a name. I have ever believed that George Washington was a good man and a Christian. 7TH. "Endeavored to show that Christians of the present day had discarded the 'good old Book' and taken up with a new one. Does he mean to advise us to throw away King James' translation and adopt the old Catholic Bible?" A. I answer emphatically no! That was not the intent of my parable, but to throw away Catholic traditions, and hold on to pure Bible truth, as we have it in the King's translation. I use no other in preaching. 8TH. "He is a Jesuit in disguise." A. I have testified against Catholicism, constantly for nine years. In several instances Jesuits have sought to take my life. 9TH. "Mr. Cornell would have the people keep the Sabbath day on Saturday instead of Sunday, yet hesitates not to buy goods on the former, &c." A. I have not bought goods on what I believe to be the Sabbath in nine years. No such thing can be proved. Let it be understood that I believe each day (Bible time) begins with the setting of the sun. 10TH. "Mr. Cornell says that he can engage in a more profitable business than preaching Christ and him crucified." A. I was charged with not preaching Christ and the gospel, and I publicly refuted it, by referring to the two sermons I had given on faith and repentance. But I remarked that I did not come to Marion to dwell only on these subjects which they could hear any time from the different pulpits, but upon the prophecies which are generally neglected. 11TH. "The very actions of the man show that the profits are all he is after. It is not the prophets of Daniel—it is the profits of trade in false, corrupt and immoral books." A. My receipts and expenditures since Jan. 1st, as per Diary, stand thus—Received $17.95. Paid $61.32. Any one wishing to share the "profits" with me, can do so, by sharing equally in the expenses. 12TH. "Dismissed the meeting when a gentleman had the floor, to cut off debate." A. I never closed a meeting in such a manner, knowingly in my life. If any gentleman arose to speak, as I closed the meeting, on the evening referred to, or any other, I certainly did not see him. 13TH. "Mr. Cornell would teach the youths of our city that they are not bound to observe the Sabbath day, &c." A. I have taught the opposite, but I submit that Sunday is not "the Sabbath day"—King James' translation being the standard. In behalf of a gentleman who has the means, I will hereby offer $500 for one text of scripture to prove that the first day of the week is the Sabbath of God. 14TH. "Mr. Cornell may preach against the observance of the S-s-s-sabath as he speaks it, until doomsday, &c." A. I have not preached against, but for the observance of the Sabbath; and those who have heard me know that I pronounce that word as distinctly and properly as people in general, the Herald not excepted. 15TH. "Mr. Cornell teaches us, that if we but observe Saturday and keep it holy, it matters not how the other days, including Sunday, are spent." A. I have spoken against the sins of the age, both public and private, and no one has less confidence than I have in a mere one day in the week religion. 16TH. "When Mr. Cornell is abroad in the land, preaching rebellion, denouncing the United States government, advocating treason, ridiculing religion, exhorting men and women with his oily tongue to break the Sabbath, &c." A. No man has heard me say one word against the Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the U. S., but I have called some of the late actions of the government Dragon-like, but to advocate treason or to resist the powers that be, I have not, and shall not. The "low insinuations" of my note in the Register had reference to such as "pitiful upstart," "braying two-eared beast," "too cowardly to either bite or scratch," &c., &c. I do not propose or wish any controversy with political editors. It is not for my own sake, that I have referred to this matter, but for the cause I advocate. Perhaps I have erred, if so, it is of the head, and not of the heart. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for the offer of your columns, I subscribe myself A friend and well wisher of all,