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.