FOUR MONTHS' LABOR IN THE COUNTIES OF ONONDAGA AND CAYUGA,
NEW YORK, IN 1828 AND 1829, WITH OTHER PARTS OF HIS PUBLIC
LIFE, EXTENDING TO MAY, 1832.
December, 1828, Mr. Badger accepted a field of labor, for about four
months, in the counties of Onondaga and Cayuga, New York. His peculiar
abilities were needed to revive and strengthen the churches, whose wants
at that time were greater than could be supplied by the ministers who
lived in that section. In the town of Brutus (since called Sennett), in
Camillus and other towns of that region, he had preached frequently in
former years. In the former town, Elijah Shaw had been very successful
in his ministerial labors; and throughout all that country generally,
Rev. O. E. Morrill, whose happy and popular gifts always made him a
favorite with the people, had preached much, and wielded a great
influence in behalf of liberal sentiments. But Mr. Shaw had moved to New
England; Mr. M. was unable to meet the many calls for assistance, and
the greatness of the harvest seemed to demand additional laborers.
His plan of action covered a somewhat extended field, though his regular
appointments were at Sennett, Cayuga, and at Lysander and Canton,
Onondaga. At times he spoke at Cato, Baldwinsville, Jericho, Van Buren,
Camillus, Elbridge, Weedsport, and other places; yet he so centralized
his labor and influence as to make them effectual at the desired points.
Besides his Sabbath services, it is said that he generally preached
every evening in the week except on Mondays and Saturdays. As usual, his
congregations were generally large and attentive, and his advocacy of
liberal and evangelical sentiments was indeed formidable to all who were
opposed. It could not be otherwise than a result of his independent
course, that controversy, more or less, should be awakened by his
ministry. He boldly stated his views, and never shrunk, from the
controversial discussion of them whenever a man of character and ability
ventured to encounter him with the tests of Scripture and reason.
Accordingly, these manly collisions of intellect on theological
questions form a very observable part of his public life. In the field
he now occupied, he had two public discussions; one with the Rev. Mr.
Baker, at Ionia, an eloquent Methodist minister; another with Rev. Mr.
Stowe, a learned clergyman of the Presbyterian sect, at Elbridge, though
with the latter it was conducted through the medium of letters, of which
Mr. S. wrote only a small part, so that perhaps it cannot be called a
debate so properly as a discussion.
Mr. Baker was confident of success, not having taken the measure of the
man he was to encounter. The form of their controversy on the supreme
Deity of Jesus, was to be the delivery of a sermon each to the same
audience on the same evening; they met to settle preliminaries late in
the afternoon. Mr. Badger, by his careless ease, his deference and
reserve of power, managed to give his opponent an inferior opinion of
his own capacity, whilst he studied closely the temper and quality of
his antagonist. This he always did before he ventured upon warfare. He
would draw out the resources of his opponent and reserve his own. He
always held that in oral controversy, in the form of sermons, it was a
desirable advantage to speak first, for two reasons. 1st. The attention
of the people is then unwearied, and their minds are fresh. 2d. The
speaker has the opportunity to anticipate the arguments of his opponent
and to answer them, thereby depriving them of power before his adversary
has used them. He cared not who had the last speech, provided he could
have the first. Apparently indifferent to the result, he offered Mr.
Baker the choice of time, who allowed Mr. Badger to speak first,
thinking that the greater advantage belongs to the last word. No limit
of time was set for either speaker. They appeared at early evening
before a large assembly. Mr. Badger arose and announced for his text 1
Cor. 1: 4: "Is Christ divided?" a text which struck at the artificial
division of his nature and being, made by those who affirm that he is at
the same time perfect God and perfect man. Mr. Badger spoke between two
and three hours to the most perfectly attentive audience, in which time
he stated and met all the strong arguments that were likely to be
arrayed against him, and urged in clear and lucid statements the
evidences for his own position. I find in the plots of his controversial
sermons, that he carried on usually a double work, giving, as he
proceeded, alternately his own view and its evidence, then examining the
opposition and its proof, then returning to the further statement of
his own opinions and their evidences, and again exploding the usual
arguments of the opposite side, ending always with positive views. In
this debate he thoroughly achieved his aim. He so broke the weapons of
his adversary that he could not rally to his use his accustomed
strength. During Mr. Badger's long discourse, Mr. Baker would
occasionally look at his watch and remind him that time is short, to
whose impatience he once replied, "Be patient, Brother Baker, I have
much yet to say; this is only the beginning of sorrows." It is certain
that parties are usually biased in regard to the merits of controversies
in which their peculiar doctrines are discussed; but from such
recollections of this debate as community possessed in 1831 and 1835, I
unhesitatingly say that but one opinion prevailed, which was, that Mr.
Badger was plainly victorious.
His letters to Mr. Stowe, which originated in a misrepresentation of
views made in the pulpit of Mr. S., were published in the Gospel
Luminary of 1829. They were strong and able papers; and it is evident
from a letter in my possession from the hand of Mr. S., that he
carefully sought to evade any public contact of mental forces with Mr.
B. on the subjects of difference between them.
During the several months which he passed in these counties, he
performed a large amount of labor, called out an interest which was by
no means limited by the extent of his own denomination, and the churches
were strengthened and refreshed. His influence was always creative. But
even when he added no numerical strength to his cause, a thing which we
are not sure ever happened under his active ministry, he had an
uncommon ability to inspire the men and women already marshalled under
free principles, with new confidence in what they could do were they to
try; and what is kindred to, but still a little higher than this, he had
a particular faculty to bring them to the _point of action_; could
persuade them to begin and to prosecute enterprises that they ordinarily
might simply talk about, delay, and neglect. At Sennett, he pursuaded
the people to attempt the building of a church; he organized the
society, selected the location, and put things in active course for the
completion of the enterprise. Between the villages of Canton and Ionia
stands a commodious chapel, which, through the generous sacrifices of a
few men, and the cooperative action of others, was built and dedicated
to the service of Almighty God January 26, 1830. This chapel also was
started and went up at the time it did through the leading, managing
influence of Mr. Badger. But events of this kind were very common in his
ministry, as he was in the habit of studying closely the strength of the
cause he plead, and of enlisting into decisive action the ability of his
friends in its furtherance. January 23, 1830, he preached the dedication
sermon of a beautiful church in Lysander, Onondaga County, New York,
where he had regularly preached in the winter of 1829. Text was Ps. 126:
3: "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." He
also preached the dedication sermon of the church in Sennett. At Canton,
the Christian Chapel was open for worship January 26, 1830. From the pen
of Rev. David Millard, who gave the sermon on that occasion, I extract
the following lines:--
"This is the second chapel erected in Onondaga county for
the use of the people called Christians. The building is
neat, plain, and commodious. The labors of Rev. O. E.
Morrill have been devoted to that region of country for
nine years past, and have been much owned and blessed of
God. About one year ago, Rev. J. Badger spent several
months in that section, and was much blessed in preaching
the word. His labors contributed largely towards the
building of the two chapels we have just named, (Lysander
and Canton,) and also of another in the town of Sennett,
Cayuga County, not yet completed. The cause of liberal
Christianity was never more prosperous in that part of the
country than now."[44]
There was indeed ability in favor of liberal views through that country,
ability of long standing; but we think it just to the memory of Mr.
Badger to say that, during his labors in that region, his creative mind
was prominent in giving to that ability the form of active, prosperous
enterprise in the respects here spoken of.
November, 1830. From the Valley of Repose,[45] he writes:
"Since my last, I have visited many places in this part of
the State, and am happy to find that the cause of Christian
liberty is gradually advancing, though opposition attends
every step that is taken. In Rochester, a Unitarian society
has been raised. Mr. W. Ware, of New York city, was the
first minister of that order who ever preached there. His
preaching was like Paul's, at Athens; it made no small
stir. Many were alarmed for their favorite dogmas; for his
three sermons gave the doctrine of the Trinity a deadly
blow. He was succeeded by Mr. Green, of Massachusetts, who
is an eloquent man, and, like Apollos, mighty in the
Scriptures. He left, after a stay of three months, for
Cincinnati. I am informed they are now supplied by two
young men from Boston, who have my best wishes for their
success. Though these men have encountered much opposition,
a spirit of inquiry and a love of liberal Christianity are
imparted from their faithful labors, which will live among
the citizens of Rochester in spite of the influence of
superstitious sectarians. Though they are a distinct sect
from the Christians, their labors go to promote the same
great principles of liberty, and their enemies and ours are
the same."
In Cayuga County, he speaks of the labors of Morrill and Coburn as
successful; of passing through Montgomery, Delaware, Green and Dutchess
Counties; of standing by the grave of his worthy early associate in the
ministry, John L. Peavy, at Milan; of thinking of his many associates
who now sleep in the grave;--men cut off in the midst of their useful
labors. Taking with him, from Green County, a young man by the name of
Joseph Marsh, he returned to Mendon, October 2d.
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.
He spent the principal part of 1831 in the vicinity of his residence, in
which time additions were made to his society, which then was in a state
of prosperity. From special request he visited Stafford, Genesee County,
where, fourteen years before, with the assistance of Elder Levi
Hathaway, he had organized a small church of eleven; a reformation
immediately began, which, in the language of Mr. D. Millard, "was one of
the most glorious revivals ever experienced in that region of country.
Within a few months, he baptized, in Stafford, not far from fifty,"
about half of whom were young men of talent. Under date of October 12,
1831, Mr. Badger writes:--
"It is now nearly twenty years since I engaged in the great
and responsible work of preaching the Gospel. I regret that
I did not engage in that work earlier, and that I have been
no more successful. But, with all my lack of
qualifications, I have every year had something to
encourage me; I have baptized about one thousand persons; I
have had the pleasure of seeing twelve of that number
become useful ministers of the Gospel, and many have
finished their pilgrimage on earth with joy. Of late, I
have been more than ever encouraged, and, notwithstanding
my embarrassment on account of ill health, my spirit is
alive to the good work, and my heart is warm to the
interests of Zion. The church at Lakeville, Livingston
County, has also been blessed of late. I have, within a
short time, baptized six persons there. In Tompkins County,
our brethren have been abundantly favored with revivals. In
Cayuga County, also, the cause is prospering. Elder Morrill
has had an addition to the churches of his care of about
eighty members, this year."
* * * * *
"Several of our brethren in this country have, the present
season, finished their course in this world. We have taken
sweet counsel with them; we have joined them in
commemorating the love and suffering of the lowly Jesus; we
have mingled with them in songs of praise and sweet
devotion on earth, and now look up with trembling
confidence and cheerful hope to the time when we shall be
permitted to join them with improved capacities, in an
immortal song of praise to God and the Lamb in heaven."
On March 27th, he attended the funeral of Mrs. Thomas Pease, of
Rochester, one in whom the Christian virtues were said to have shone
with mild and constant brilliancy. Speaking of this event, he says:
"While I sat by the bedside of my emaciated friend, and saw
her health, her beauty, and relish for life gone, and the
strong attachment of friends presenting their last claims
to a heart which had always responded in emotions of
kindest friendship, but which could respond no longer, I
heard her in a low whisper say, 'Oh Lord, grant me thy
smiles and thy presence, and I ask no more.' Here, said I,
I see the end of all perfection. Oh God, 'Let me die the
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.'
"After I left she appeared much revived in spirit, and made
choice of the text on which I should preach at her funeral,
which was John 14: 2: 'In my Father's house are many
mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you.' How delightful to see a child of
God looking up from the verge of the grave to those
mansions which Christ has gone to prepare for his
children."