THE IMMORTALITY QUESTION.
By Editor
Editor of Review and Herald: In perusing your paper of June 19, I find a piece from E. Lanphear on "The Immortality Question," which you say was refused publication in the Sabbath Recorder; in which I think he misrepresents the action of the editor, the publishing committee, and Seventh-day Baptists generally. It is not my purpose to debate the subject, or answer his questions. I do not think they were all asked in Christian candor; for some seem to be asked in such a way as to try to cast contempt on the cause, or people, he wishes to refute, or win over. I only wish to disabuse the minds of those of your readers who know less of the course taken by the editors of the Recorder, and of Seventh-day Baptists, than does Bro. L. Now Bro. Lanphear knows, as does every one familiar with the Recorder for years past, that the subject of his letter has been presented, almost, or quite, without control, by himself and others: until62it had become stale and tiresome to most of the patrons, and those whose organ it was designed to be; and now when they think best to stop awhile and let the chickens breathe, and allow something else to predominate, he is dissatisfied. And you, Mr. editor, are sorry the fight is not continued in the Recorder. That question has been discussed in the Recorder years past, more than any other question in theology; and yet Bro. L. is bent on making the blue chicken continue the fight, by the threat of Mr. Wisconsin; and partly exhibits a similar one of his own, if human nature should chance to predominate a little more, when the instrument is drawn. I am not opposed to free discussion when properly conducted, yet I do dislike to hear or read the same things over and over, by the same, or other persons; and it has seemed that on this question, almost every one wished to ventilate themselves through the Recorder. Again, after asking some questions, he says, "These are questions for my professed orthodox brethren to decide; ministers, of course, if laymen cannot be allowed to investigate for themselves. I never was really willing to come under priest rule," &c. Now this would lead those not acquainted with the Seventh-day Baptists, to suppose they were like the Roman Catholics, under priestly government, which he well knows has no more foundation with them, than with those with whom he sympathizes and assimilates. I think that if much of the time, talent and paper now spent in wrangling and discussing questions, even of theology, were devoted to teaching humility and consecration to God, it would be for better for the world and the church. It appears to many, who have less combativeness, that very much of the debates of these days, whether oral or written, are designed more to "make the chicken whip," than to elucidate the truth, or present it in an inviting form. I have written twice as much as I intended, for I only designed to let your readers know that the subject had been presented in the columns of the Recorder in all its phases ad libitum, by almost any one who could wield a pen; and also that the imputation that the priests did not allow the laymembers to investigate or speak for themselves, is entirely groundless. Respectfully yours,
A. M. West.
Leonardsville, N. Y., July 1, 1860. Note. We cheerfully grant Bro. West space to correct what he deems a false imputation. But while we readily admit that there may be such a thing as the readers of a journal becoming tired of the continued discussion of the same question, we cannot but query how it was that the Recorder so suddenly lost its interest in one side of the question, while the defense of the other went on with unabated vigor. If the object was really to give the "chickens" a chance to breathe, we should have expected that both would have the same privilege.—Ed.