In other articles he went more particularly into the discussion of the question, which, as the entire excitement has passed away, could not be of much interest to readers of the present time. These articles were rejected by the partial editor; only the first one was published, which was done by order of the committee. Had the three been printed, we are confident that no editorials could have effaced or marred their strong impression on the public mind. In justice, however, to the proper mental dignity of that periodical, I should say that its editorial advocacy of Adventism was but temporary, that through the faithful action of the executive committee, the Palladium was soon restored to its original aims. Indeed it was a luckless event to that paper, its finances, and its power over the community that Mr. Badger left it. Had his wise head and strong hand guided it through the action and reaction of excitement until 1845, the effect on the union, concentration, and sanity of the religious interest would have been great. It is folly to think that a weak, or a half-and-half man, whatever may be the sanctimony of his carriage, can ever fill the place of a bold, great man. It never was done, and never can be. Mr. Badger not only used his influence at an early day to prevent this perversion of the Palladium from its former high character, but when it occurred, with much toil and decision, he, with a few others of similar force, labored until it was effectually emancipated. The real value of Joseph Badger, in all great emergencies, his ability to conduct a cause to honor and prosperity, though seen by the discriminating, and in a degree acknowledged by all, is not even yet truthfully appreciated. There are not many who so analyze past events as to see the full worth of a real man; some flaming humbug, that dazzles the mass with words and extravagant zeal, is much more taking and congenial to the general stupidity. I here dismiss this part of his public life, with the remark, that some who read his articles will probably never find a class of ultraists gathered about their one idea without first looking to see whether "their heads have not a peculiar shape."
In August, 1843, Mr. Badger began to write a series of articles in the Christian Palladium, under the head of "Sketches," which were extended to 1848. In these his various labors are reflected; also his views on subjects particular and general, in the most frank and open manner. In some numbers belonging to 1844, in answer to the resolution of a New England Convention which declared that ministers should sustain a lay membership with some local church, as essential to their general good standing, Mr. Badger argued, that the minister, by virtue of his office as public teacher, by virtue of his relation as pastor, and by virtue of his relation to all the churches, cannot be required to become a member of a local church, and to submit to its local authority all the interests of his character and ministerial position in the world. He pleaded that a minister of the gospel is not created officially, or ordained by a single church, that it is in the united wisdom of several churches and ministers that he is appointed to his work, and that it requires an authority equally general to try, acquit, or exclude him, as the evidence may demand. He conceded not only to each local church, but to any individual within or without its pale, whose candor should entitle him to respect, the privilege of bringing a minister to account for any conduct that is contrary to the ethics of the Gospel he was ordained to preach, but that the determining tribunal is nothing less than the assembled virtue and intelligence of the several churches and ministers who are to be, as nearly as the limits of convenience will permit, the whole body to which he belongs. "I only contend," said he, "for what the old English code of common law established as a fundamental principle, that 'every man shall be tried by his peers.'" In this protracted discussion, in which his own powers were not fully awakened, he penned some strong and cogent paragraphs; nor did the two or three opponents who answered him as he advanced, at all embarrass his progress or disturb the composure of his argument on the question. The whole bearing of his views as expressed on this and kindred topics, from 1819 to 1845, goes against every theory which seeks to separate ministers from churches, or churches from ministers. Their united action was his idea of church government.
In 1845, he preached mostly within the region of his early labors in that country, at Lakeville, South Lima, and occasionally at Greece. At the latter place, he was called to dedicate a new and beautiful chapel, January 3, 1845; Rev. F. W. Holland, the Unitarian minister of Rochester, N. Y., A. Crocker and L. Allen were with him. He spoke from Ps. 84: 1: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!" Speaking of the effect of this sermon, Mr. Holland observes:—
"Many venerable faces were wet with tears, and the audience listened eagerly for an hour. This excellent brother has labored a third of a century in this country, erected the first church west of the Genesee river,[60] and prides himself on bearing his years so well as not to feel a pulpit effort of several hours. I was much pleased with this interview, and was strongly moved to accept his invitation to add a codicil to his last words. I then made the prayer of consecration, and, after the anthem, a Methodist minister gave the benediction from a full and gushing heart."
In union with Mr. Crocker, of Parma, and Allen, of Greece, he continued his labors there constantly for one month. Mr. Badger gave about thirty sermons. At the close of his eleventh discourse, thirty-three persons obeyed his invitation to take a decided stand for God and his service, three-fourths of whom were men, and among them persons of talent, wealth, and influence in the community. "The good work," says Mr. B., "proceeded gradually through the month, without fanaticism, extravagance, or disorder." Among those who were reached by redeeming influence was a German, who had been with Napoleon in many of his wars, had crossed the bridge of Lodi by his side, and been wounded at the battle of Agram; also another of seventy-five years, who had stood by Commodore Perry in the battle on Lake Erie. Two-thirds of the building committee, who were men of the world, were also numbered with the converts; and of his refreshing seasons with the people of Greece, at baptisms, communions, and other times, he speaks in words of pleasure. But he closed his labors with them near the last of 1845; likewise the same with the church at Lakeville, which he had planted twenty-seven years before. He also visited Canada in the month of August, which he said was invigorating both to his bodily and spiritual health. "There are," said he, "in Canada, some of the most pious spirits and some of the most valiant souls that ever adorned the church of God. They live to do good, and love the Saviour's cause above all things." He is now free from all pastoral confinement, and designs to visit the sea-shore of New England as soon as proper opportunity shall open, that he may there regain his usual health.
We are now at a crisis of his life which makes us sad as we cast our eyes upon it. Thus far, through his long career, we have traced the energetic man, the man of full and overflowing resources of physical power. But here the scene must change, not gradually as age and as even disease commonly execute their mutations on human frailty, but suddenly as from the lightning's stroke, the oaken form receives assault. July 2, 1845, while employed for an hour in assisting his hands at work, and using an uncommon amount of vigor, he paused a moment to rest, when he received a paralytic shock on his left side, which never after allowed him the enjoyment of his former health. His ancestors on his mother's side were subject to this fatal affliction; and whatever may be justly said in favor of active habits and frugal diet as preventives of a disaster so terrible, it is certain in this case that the fact has a close relation to laws of hereditary descent. Alluding to this event, Mr. Badger observes:—
"I have felt, during this affliction, the most perfect resignation to the will of God. I have stood upon the walls of Zion over thirty years; I am weary in the work, but not of it. Many of my early associates have left their stations before me. I have baptized about forty who have become ministers of the Gospel, several of whom have entered upon their rest. I now stand upon the isthmus between two worlds, ready to depart and be with Christ, or still to toil on amidst the ills of life as the great Master may direct. While I do live, I am determined to stand firm against what I know to be the delusions of the present age, which are spreading death and devastation among the flock of Christ, and to hold fast that system of revealed truth on which the hopes of this lost world must rest for salvation. I do as I think all ministers should in such an age of speculation in theology as the present; place my confidence in, and consecrate my energies to, the promotion of the one blessed Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, and declare, to a divided and excited public, 'I am determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified.'"
He continues:—