S. P. Leland by Moses Hull

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1863

S. P. Leland.

By Moses Hull

BRO. WHITE: As it is well known by the readers of the Review that I had a friendly discussion with S. P. Leland, at Lowell, Mich., last fall, and that he at that time was a rank infidel, declaring that he could neither believe in the Bible nor the God of the Bible, perhaps the following letter from him may not be amiss.

S. P. Leland occupied a high position in the infidel ranks. I have now three books in my possession published by him, all of which strike against the Bible. He was for a while a regular correspondent of the Banner of Light, and was chosen on two occasions to deliver the oration at the celebration of the anniversary of Thomas Paine. Articles in the Banner of Light show how deeply they feel his loss. My prayer is that he may find the whole truth, and succeed in undoing his former works. M. HULL.

LETTER FROM S. P. LELAND.

MOSES HULL, Dear Sir: I have neglected too long to acknowledge the receipt of your work—"The Bible from Heaven." I am much pleased with it. It is just what one needs for reference. Its arguments are condensed and admirably arranged under their appropriate heads. You have my thanks, not only for the copy sent me, but for the good done in its publication. I rather think it will be found hard to answer.

But, withal, I cannot help regretting the manner you have treated the subject of your last chapter. It will not do to impeach science. In treating it in the manner in which you have, you virtually acknowledge that if geology be true, then it is opposed to the Bible. I repeat, I am sorry you have thus treated it. To my mind now, nothing so beautifully exemplifies the majesty and divinity of the Scriptures as the revelations of geological science. It is true there is some ground for infidels to find fault with it. You know this. But nothing but my unbending confidence in geology would ever have wrought the change in my religious opinions which has occurred in the last eight months. Could I find

time, I would prepare a pamphlet of seventy-five or eighty pages, which I believe would undo what I have done on the wrong side of this subject. Wish you would ask Mr. White on what conditions he will undertake the publication of such a pamphlet, in October,—an edition of one or two thousand, if I will take two hundred at wholesale price, in advance. I am anxious on this subject, for I feel a great good can be done there.

Were you at all surprised in my change of opinion? You could not have been more surprised than I was myself. I had been blinded by the wily facination of Spiritualism; and when its dark vail fell, I leaped to the light of heaven—joyous as a freed bird. Oh! how was I blinded so long?

I shall be glad to hear from you. Wish I could see you and talk with you. My address is Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Leland unites with me in sending regards to Mr. Loughborough and yourself. Yours very truly. S. P. LELAND. Lagrange, Ind., June 6, 1863.