"J.V.N. TALMAGE."
June 19, 1863.
Instead of finding my note inserted in the next number of the Intelligencer I found the following:
"REV. MR. TALMAGE'S LETTER.
"We have received from the Rev. J.V.N. Talmage, a communication respecting our report of his remarks at the close of the session of the General Synod, accompanied with a request that he be permitted to appeal through these columns to the Churches in support of his position. The communication is long, and perhaps we can give the substance of it briefly.
"1st. He wishes to correct the statement of Rev. Dr. Porter. And this he shall do in his own words, viz.:
"'I felt that his speech was altogether unfortunate, for it seemed almost to demand of me the restatement of my views. But I felt, also, that it would be improper then to occupy the time of Synod with any further discussion, and contented myself with merely taking exception to Dr. Porter's statements, saying that I could not use the language he had just used. I also stated that, although the Synod had not arrived at the best decision, yet perhaps it was the best, under all the circumstances.'
"So far Mr. Talmage, in disclaiming agreement with the statement made by Dr. Porter.
"We can, on this point, only express regret that there should have been either seeming or real difference. But as Brother Talmage confesses that our report correctly represents him as having said, that
"'Although the Synod had not arrived at the best decision, yet perhaps it was the best, under all the circumstances,'