Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger / Fourth Edition

by E. G. Holland

"We have frequently heard," continues Mr. B., "the followers of Mr. C. talk about carrying the Gospel in their pockets, meaning the Bible; but such are not like Christ's ministers, who have the 'treasure in earthen vessels.' The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation."

Referring to the charge of fluctuation he says:—

"Mr. C., we never belonged to the Presbyterians of Scotland; we never united with nor dissented from the Red Stone Association of Baptists. But, dear sir, has not your whole life been one scene of reforms, deforms, and changes? Just look at your equivocations on Calvinism and the Trinity; turn to your correspondence with Mr. Grew and all your opponents, and blush, while you talk about any man 'who sails sometimes under this flag, and sometimes under that.' This, sir, comes with a very bad grace from your honorable self."

It is not my wish to revive the passions of past controversy, but the antagonism of Mr. Badger to certain features of the cause which Mr. Campbell represented in the west was so conspicuous a part of his editorial life, that the chapter here opened could not well be completed without some allusions to and quotations from it. No one doubts that his paper influenced thousands not to embrace the system of his distinguished opponent.

In 1837 and 1838 he discussed the question at length, "The Church the Highest Tribunal," making a distinction between a church and the church, denying that the former is the highest tribunal, and qualifiedly conceding this honor to the latter; that is to say, a particular church may be incompetent to act upon questions which the large assemblage of ministers and particular churches might act upon with wisdom and safety. These articles were indeed an able vindication of the doctrine of associated action, of conferential organization; they called out a vast deal of discussion, and whatever may be thought of the justness of his position, none can deny that his articles produced a very strong impression on the public generally. The great danger of large associative bodies is the usurpation of power over individual rights; but he claimed to protect the individual and to secure his rights through the associative action for which he plead. Both sides were heard in this discussion.

The Catholic question, the subject of temperance, slavery, ministerial education, and historical sketches of the denomination, each had a share of attention. Dr. Channing's letter on the Catholic question, originally in the Western Messenger, was published in his columns, printed in small pamphlets and scattered over the country. Also his letter to Mr. Badger on the principles and wants of the Christian denomination, which, to a good extent, may be called a treatise on education, was called forth by Mr. Badger's direct request, and, excellent as it was as a whole, it received from him friendly and independent strictures on points wherein he regarded Dr. C. as being misinformed. The Palladium, in the hands of Joseph Badger, was an organ of power mightier than had ever been wielded in the same cause before, and altogether more so than the same paper has ever been since. We think the editor speaks truthfully in saying, "The secret of its success is its adaptation to the wants of the people. It now has a larger subscription than any two periodicals have or ever had in the Christian or Unitarian societies on the globe." It is almost unnecessary to add the most practical evidence of its success, namely, that through the provident management of its editor, it was financially the source of a very respectable income. Let us hear what impression this paper made on the other side of the Atlantic. Rev. John R. Beard,[54] of Manchester, England, under the date of June 1, 1838, wrote as follows:

"I have long desired to find a moment to address you a few lines. I feel a deep interest in the cause to which you and many other excellent men are devoted; and I do hope and trust that the great Head of the Church will abundantly bless your praiseworthy labors.

"In your alienation from creeds of human formation, you not only have a feeling in common with the Unitarians of England, but in my opinion have assumed a position at once eminently Scriptural and of great and pressing need in the actual state of the religious world. The New Testament Scriptures ought to be the only standard of faith and doctrine with followers of Christ; and aware of the fallibility which must attach to every mere human interpretation of Holy Writ, I feel that the great work is to command allegiance to the great Protestant principle of the sufficiency and paramount authority of the Bible, and particularly of the writings of the Evangelists and the Apostles. I cannot but look on your efforts and successes with high gratification, and in the chills of a colder moral atmosphere and the dissatisfactions of a necessarily less productive field, I sometimes half wish myself in the midst of you.

"While others contend," said Mr. B., "about the supervacaneous part of religion, we will encourage the enjoyment of its more exhilarating radiancy." "We are reformers; we must and will be reformers. We are determined never to be guilty of a cringing subserviency to the Man of Sin, nor to bow to any idol of superstition which frail men have imposed upon the Church of God. The Palladium will be Doctrinal, Historical, and Practical. Much attention will be bestowed on the culture of the youthful mind, and the improvement of young ministers and young writers."