In the work here offered the public, the writer has had two objects in view:—1st, to furnish a reply to the material parts of “Campbellism Examined;” 2d, to present a compressed vindication of the chief doctrines therein attacked.
In endeavoring to execute the former task, he has aimed to present, with what he believes to be an equitable fullness, and with as much order as was attainable in the case, what he supposed Mr. Jeter himself would deem the strong points of his work, and to reply to these without evasion or injustice. He may not always have understood, in the sense in which its author intended it to be understood, the position or the argument he has replied to; but, if in any instance such has been the case, he claims to say that the error has not been intentional at least. The confusion amidst which these positions have had to be sought, and the rubbish in which they have been found embedded, have made a clean elimination and clear presentation of them at times not a little difficult. It is believed, however, that no important argument has been permitted to pass without notice; while many have received notice far beyond their claims.
In attempting to execute the latter task, one end constantly kept in view has been to state the position to be defended with the utmost clearness, drawing such distinctions and [iii] submitting such qualifications as would tend to free it from any existing doubt or ambiguity. The arguments then presented are believed to be at least valid and pertinent; but whether conclusive or not is left with the candid reader to decide. Some of these arguments, be it said, are not intended so much to establish the immediate question at issue, as to prepare the mind for others better adapted to that end. Still, all are thought to be important and necessary.
A work similar in object to the present has been for some time past impatiently looked for from quite another quarter. The immense labors, however, which have accumulated on Mr. Campbell’s hands, have rendered it utterly impracticable for him to comply with this just expectation. This is much to be regretted. The present work is not an attempt to accomplish what he would have done. It is, however, an attempt to do all that it is believed the merits of the case demand, and that, too, with a view to leaving him to prosecute far more important labors. And, while the public will hardly feel inclined to acquit the writer for presuming to do what it was just possible even might have been done by a hand so much more competent, still, he begs that it will be remembered that, had not this much been attempted, it is almost certain nothing would have been realized,—at least without almost superhuman efforts. Mr. Campbell has not lacked the will to gratify the public expectation, but he has certainly lacked the power.
Should it be inquired why it is that the present work makes its appearance at so late a date, the reply is, that it has not been felt to be in the slightest degree necessary to be in haste. It was meet that Mr. Jeter’s book should be allowed ample time to do its work. Meanwhile, all has been calm in [iv] our ranks. No defections have occurred, no dissatisfaction has prevailed, no alarm existed. Hence, no peculiar necessity was felt to be in haste to repel an attack from which no perceptible injury was accruing.
But the reader will doubtless feel curious to know why it is that Mr. Jeter’s second book—“Campbellism Re-examined”—has been treated so cavalierly. The writer’s reply is simply that he has seen and read the swaggering little thing: should a more elaborate reason be demanded, that reason must be sought in the character of the silence with which the work is passed.
In citing the passages of Scripture introduced into the present work, the book, chapter, and verse, in which each can be found, has not, except in a very few cases, been referred to. This course has been adopted for two reasons:—1st, the passages are generally such as most readers may be presumed familiar with, in which case no reference is needed: 2d. references, even when given, are rarely ever consulted; for this reason it was not thought necessary to consume space with them.
Liberty, Missouri, 1857 [v]