PREFACE.

I HAVE given to this publication the Title which it bears, because it is the true one, and correctly indicates its nature and design. The use which has been made of the groundless complaints and accusations of Miss HANNAH ADAMS, by my adversaries in this controversy, has undoubtedly led to this publication; and the Revolution in the religious character of Harvard College, is the prominent event, which has imparted so much importance to these complaints, as to justify it. This will be considered, as it is in fact, a strange association of things; and the correctness of my thus connecting them will doubtless be called in question. Evidence of such connection, however, sufficient to satisfy unprejudiced minds, will be found in the following pages. Had there been no such revolution in the College, or no opposition to it-no publication at the time concerning it, on my part; the public would never have heard of any of these complaints and accusations of Miss ADAMS. They would have been, for a short time, perhaps, topics of remark among a few of her particular friends; been explained and amicably terminated at the period of their occurrence, and have passed silently down the tide of time, with the events of every day. This is my opinion; and if I do not misjudge, this will be the opinion of all who shall have impartially examined the evidence contained in this book. If so, such connection of these complaints with the revolution in the College; and, I may add, with the religious controversy of the present times, as I have stated, is proved; for no other contemporary events can be named, which could have imparted to these complaints the importance which they have possessed.

Besides, this deep and ingenious policy of assailing the principles of the orthodox, by attempting to fix a stigma on their moral character, is not original. It has been borrowed from the Arians of the fourth century. It is precisely the mode of attack which they devised and pursued against the orthodox of their times.

The Arians, at the period alluded to, according to Milner, "opposed the real faith of Christ," by charging its advocates and defenders with the most heinous crimes; and "enmity_to the doctrine of the TRINITY," prompted these charges.* Enmity to the same doctrine, it will appear, has prompted to the charges, which I have thought it my duty here to expose before the pub

lic.

See p. 130, 181, of this pamphlet.

I am aware of the alarm which the title of this book will excite, and its contents perhaps increase; and of the cry that will be raised against me, by many voices, on account of what they will call, an attack upon the College. I was once before charged with the same offence, at the time when I found it necessary publickly to repel the calumnies, which were propagated concerning me, on account of the interest I took in the election of Professor WARE. But in neither case is the charge well founded. The design of both pamphlets is the same; the vindication of my own character against unworthy and malignant attacks; and this in order to vindicate the truths, which these attacks were intended to discredit. Neither can give just offence to the real friends of the College. So far as they relate to that Institution, their object is, to expose what are conceived to be very important and dangerous errors in its administration; to point the public eye to the perversion of its funds; to the change in its religious character; and to excite a just and necessary alarm, in respect to the consequences of these changes upon the state of religion and morals, within the sphere of its influence.* These are the ends I have in view to accomplish; and no other. I am the friend of that ancient and venerable Institution, as it was in the days of President WILLARD, and during the long line of his predecessors, from the beginning; as I am the friend of the present Constitution of the United States, as it was administered by the immortal WASHINGTON. But the changes which have taken place in the administration, both of the one, and of the other, I can never approve; because in both cases, I consider these changes radically wrong, and destructive of the best interests of the church and the country. The cases are parallel, and the effects ultimately the same. If then I should be asked, by the advocates of the changes alluded to, as I have been indeed, why I do not "rally round the College," and join in support of the measures

* The following observations of Mr. MILNER, who was a competent judge in the case, are in point to show the nature of these consequences.

"The influence of anti-evangelical doctrines on the practice, is but too evident. Those who espouse them, if preserved in rectitude of moral conduct, are among ourselves at this day the proudest of men. Even when they attempt to be humble, the power of pride breaks forth, and bears down all before it. They feel sufficient for any thing; no subject of religion is too hard for their understandings. In all disputable questions, they are sure to decide in that way which most gratifies vain glory and self conceit. The ministers of this stamp, however low and limited in capacity and education, are continually exercising the most unbounded, and often the most ridiculous arrogance. They are apt to wonder that the common people have no ears for them; they do not consider that they themselves have no voice for the people. The views of God, of Christ, and human nature, which they exhibit, suit not the vulgar taste. They contradict experience; and it is not to be wondered at, that those of their hearers who have any reasonable modesty, and the least tincture of humility, cannot relish their discourses, because the only food which is adapted to the taste of a miserable sinner, is not ministered to them. Deserted by the populace, they betake themselves to the great. The favour of a few of the higher rank compensates to them the want of regard from the multitude; and if they cannot boast of numerous congregations, they console themselves at least with the thought, that theirs are genteel. Vol I. p. 505.

PREFACE.

of its present government? I ask them in turn, why they do not rally round the national government, and support the measures of the present administration? The reply they would make to this question, is my reply to theirs. In neither case, is there any hostility or disaffection manifested toward the Institutions themselves; but only toward the measures of those who administer their affairs. The rights and duties of the minority, in both cases, I consider the same. If it be correct for the minority in the government of the United States, to expose and counteract, with all their strength, such measures of the majority, as they think ruinous to the country; for the same reasons, it is correct for the minority in the government of the University, to expose and counteract, with all their ability and influence, such measures of the majority, as they conscientiously consider to be subversive of the vital interests of religion. In neither of these cases, provided their opposition is made with decency and a proper spirit, are the minority to be considered, as acting an unfriendly part toward the respective Institutions, the administration of which only their opposition is intended to affect. On this ground I take my stand. I am a sincere and unalienable friend to the College, as it was in its origin, and design, and as it continued to be, till the death of President WILLARD. I am decidedly opposed to the revolution in the religious character of this Institution, which has since been effected, and to the measures which have been subsequently adopted to perpetuate this change, and to direct the whole influence of the College against the very doctrines which it was founded to support. Though the opposers of this revolution, and of these measures, are at present the minority in the government of this important Institution, I have strong confidence, that the time is not far distant, when they will have the majority on their side. Then, under the direction of a good Providence, a purified administration will bring back this seminary of science, with all its accumulated wealth and scientific improvements, to its primitive foundation, and consecrate its whole influence once more, sincerely and honestly, "TO CHRIST AND THE CHURCH."

The peculiar circumstances in which I make this publication, render it necessary that I should state explicitly my design. And it is, I can assure the public, less to vindicate myself, than the truth; and the former only for the sake of the latter. The attacks made on my reputation, I consider as aimed ultimately at the doctrines, which I defend. I repel these personal attacks in defence of these doctrines. If my reputation only had been affected by these slanderous attacks, I should have borne them in silence, as unworthy of public notice. If, therefore, personal disputes are mingled in this controversy, it is not my work, but that of my adversaries. I am constrained to take things as I find them. I must act according to circumstances. I am permitted in

this contest to choose, neither the ground, nor the mode, nor the weapons, of warfare. Could I have had my choice in these things, I would have had no ambush contention; no Cambysean management; the place of action should have been the open field; the grounds of the contest should have been frankly, stated, and clearly understood. Fair arguments should have been the only weapons used on either side. Nothing dishonourable, or mean, or cowardly should have disgraced the conflict.

It has ever been among the arts of error to "strike, but to conceal the hand;" to put forward ostensible causes, to cover the real ones; to hold out false colours; to ascribe the conduct of those who dare to expose error, to unworthy motives. Such is the precise nature of the present controversy. To clear away the extraneous matter, which has been ingeniously mingled in it, for the purpose of disguising its real nature, has been a principal object of this Appeal. The public will perceive from the documents before them, that this is not a contest, on the part of Dr. PARISH and myself, with Miss ADAMS. Attempts will doubtless be made, for obvious purposes, so to represent it. An intelligent public, however, will easily see through the artifice; and in the light of the evidence herein exhibited, discern clearly the parties actually engaged in managing this controversy, and the real points which divide them.

Another object, which I have had in view, in making this Appeal, has been to expose the spirit of the opposers of the orthodox faith; the spirit which is naturally produced by every such defection from the faith, as has recently taken place in this region. For this purpose I have submitted to the tedious labour of exhibiting and tracing the protean shapes, and operations, in which this spirit has made itself visible, in the managment of Miss ADAMS's complaints.

I am warned that this publication will raise a formidable host against me, combining wealth, talents and influence. Be it so. With this same host, in ambush, I have been forced to contend, in self defence, for the last nine years. The only change which this publication will produce, in regard to myself, and which it is its principal design to effect, will be, to deprive this host of their shelter, and of their unmanly weapons; and to compel them to show themselves in proper armour, in the open field. If this object shall have been effected, I shall have no fears as to the issue of this contest, let the opposing host be ever so formidable. Besides, if the cause which I am defending by this publication, is the cause of truth and of God, it cannot be overthrown. The Lord of hosts will defend and support those, who honestly engage to vindicate it, and will ultimately give them the victory. If I am deceived, and it is not His cause, I pray that it may not prosper. In any event, therefore, I shall be contented.

See p. 14. Note.