Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger: Fourth EditionHolland, E. G. (Elihu Goodwin)
History
Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger: Fourth Edition
Holland, E. G. (Elihu Goodwin)
Badger, Joseph, 1792-1852
In the autumn of 1830, his visit to Lewisburg, Pa., is thus spoken of by
Rev. J. J. Harvey, in a recent letter to Mrs. Badger:--
"His congregations were large and attentive. The sects
cried out against him and his doctrine. Being young, and
liberal in my feelings, I was induced, by the opposition
raised against this 'great Unitarian heretic, as his
enemies styled him, to go and hear for myself. From the
course pursued on both sides, I soon became a regular
hearer, and found my feelings strongly interested in favor
of the persecuted party. Among others, he preached one
discourse on the doctrine of the Trinity. This was
fortunate for me, because he removed from my mind the
infidelity into which the popular teaching among the
Methodists and Presbyterians had well-nigh driven me. I
never could understand, and therefore could not believe,
their irrational and unscriptural preaching on this
subject; I was, therefore, on the verge of rejecting the
Bible _in toto_. But, by clear exhibitions of truth, Mr.
Badger convinced me of the scriptural and the reasonable
doctrine of one God, and of one Mediator between God and
men; and on that subject I have never since had a doubt."
From this place he proceeded to Milford, New Jersey, to attend the
theological debate held in that town, December, 1830, between Rev.
William McCalla, of Philadelphia, and Rev. Wm. Lane, of Ohio, on the
question--"Is the man Christ Jesus the supreme and eternal God?" of
which Mr. McCalla had the affirmative, and Mr. Lane the negative. This
discussion, attended by a large concourse, and on the fourth day
abandoned by the former gentleman, in the words, "I relinquish this
debate forever," was one in which Mr. Badger took a deep interest. He
was one of the Board of Moderators; and, with his peculiar facility at
management, he succeeded, during the early stage of the debate, in
getting Mr. McCalla and Rev. S. Clough into a contract for a new
discussion of the same question, at the city of New York, at a
subsequent time, a contract which Mr. McCalla, on the fourth day of the
debate, took from his pocket, and tore into pieces in the presence of
the great assembly, as significant of his intention not to carry out the
purpose therein expressed. The coolness, foresight, and shrewdness of
Mr. Badger on all such occasions were strong and serviceable traits.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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