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TRIANGLE.

FOURTH SERIES OF NUMBERS.

BY

THE INVESTIGATOR.

Στηνὴς ἐπ' ἀρετὴν οἶμος πολλές πτοει.

NEW-YORK:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR.

Van Winkle, Wiley & Co., Printers.

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PREFACE TO THE FOURTH SERIES.

The resentment which certain individuals still maintain, and continually express, against the Triangle, and which, whether the breeze whispers or storm roars, still reverberates through the city, excites in me various sentiments, but no variation of purpose. Regarded in the light of a furious, relentless, arrogant, and haughty intolerance, I cannot but hear it with contempt; but considered, as in many instances it is, as the result of prejudices corroborated from the cradle, or of ignorance of equal age and respectability, I cannot but feel concern mingled with pity.

Had not a course of events occurred in this city, since this publication began, which have fully justified most of the assertions in the former numbers, and especially in the first; had not these events been witnessed by the public eye, attested by the public ear, and sanctioned by the official acts of public bodies, this continual and furious roar of execration might be thought less extraordinary, and perhaps more excusable.

The Triangle is accused of three capital faults: of laying false accusations, of using indecent language, and of advancing corrupt sentiments.

In relation to the first of these charges, the city of New-York may judge for herself, how much exaggeration I have been guilty of; when she has lately heard the whole body of these men fiercely implead the Hopkinsians at the public bar, and lay to their charge, not merely in the idle slang of chimney-corner debate, but before a large Missionary Society, almost every grade, species, and aggravation of error, such as Socinian, Deistical, and Atheistical heresies. And, reader, when you hear these charges thundered from the house top, and propagated by the trumpet's blast, can you be weak enough to believe that it has not long been the theme of their perpetual tattle, their gossiping, their whispers, and intrigue. You may not know it; I do.

And as I said, at first, but which doubtless was not heeded, this controversy, this furious contention has, as it did in the Missionary Society, in every instance, begun with these men. They have sought the quarrel-have waged the battle-have given the provocationhave premeditated the attack-have thrown down the gauntlet-have bared their weapons, in every instance. The advocates of Hopkinsian sentiments, from their arrival in this city, earnestly, anxiously, laboriously, humbly, and, I may certainly add, prayerfully, studied the peace and quiet of the city, and of the church. Yet, as I said, the most industrious measures were presently taken to root them out, and the whole art and science of attack, in all its variations, was long practised upon them.

And, reader, one day you shall know, in spite of all your reluctance, that I have not exaggerated on this point.

With reference to indecent language, I shall say little. The language of sarcasm is often resorted to, and I most conscientiously believe, if ever admissible, in any case, it was on these occasions. The spirit of bigotry and intolerance affected in this free country--thefigure and phiz of a noli me tangere gossiping about in this free and enlightened city-the contour of a man's character and conduct, who shall here set himself up as a little spiritual despot, are things too contemptible and base, too daring and audacious, to merit systematic and solemn argument. It is hardly worth while to erect a scaffold for punishing a spider, when you can crush him with your foot.

As to satire and raillery, and sometimes couched in tolerably gross phrases, I must beg these humble admirers of great men to read Dr.

Witherspoon's "CHARACTERISTICS," while, at the same time, I exhort some whose consciences are so terribly wounded by the Triangle, to be careful not to strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel, in their behaviour concerning it.

Whether the Triangle advances corrupt sentiments, the eternal fountain of light and truth will judge. Much of the rage of these tender-hearted men is levelled at this article. For as to censures, sarcasm, raillery, and abuse, if they have been in the habit of attending various churches in this city, they have heard as much from the pulpit, and probably smiled, nodded assent, or slept under it, and thought it very well said.

I blame no man for opposing the sentiments of the Triangle. But, as the quaint proverb says, "there is a thing different from that thing." They have not such a flaming disinterested love of truth as to be up in arms when mere error is advanced. The tremendous crime committed is, that some one has dared to tell men what they do. But the half-the thousandth part has not been told.

The most deplorable state of society is that in which a set of men claim, and enjoy, the prescriptive privilege of saying and doing what they please, when to trace their steps, and lay open their conduct, is judged an unpardonable crime. This is slavery of the deepest shade, and most miserable character; and in this way people, if they are let alone, will rivet their own chains; will, like the people of Rome, be the first to immolate Brutus and Cassius, who had fairly broken them. But the free discussions which have lately agitated this city, and which bigots, spiritual Lords would be, and some near-sighted people have regarded as the most dreadful of all dreadfuls, have already produced the most happy effects. The veil is rent, the prescriptive sovereignty of prejudice, superstition, and mysticism, is abolished, and the reign of spiritual despotism is at an end. The Phoenix has arisen ; a society of more than five hundred men is formed, who know they have a right to think for themselves.

In the mean time, I wish the triangular men every degree of happiness and good fortune. Demeaning themselves as good and virtuous citizens, I hope they will be loved and respected as such: I only wish them suspected and despised where they attempt to throw over people's heads the thongs of intolerance, which every man has more reason to hate and fear than he would the horrid bow-string of the eastern despot. Let them rest assured that I think them worthy of liberty, but not to reign.

And, for the good men so terribly put out with the Triangle, I must beg them to be composed, and devote the exuberance of their time and talents a little more exclusively to the cultivation of their own virtues, by which means, I think, society would receive benefit. They might, in this way, render themselves very agreeable and useful companions. But among authors, and in public disputes, they will not be able to effect much. I question whether the writers of the present day will think it worth while to ask them what they may write. I fear their uneasiness arises from too high an opinion of their own importance: men may become very extravagant on this point. It is recorded of two Roman Emperors, I believe Dioclesian and Galerius, that they once, in conversation, expressed themselves in the following couplets:

DIOCL. "When I am dead and in my urn

May earth and fire together burn,
And all the world to cinders turn."

GAL.

"Nay, while I live I would desire,
To set the universe on fire."

1.

THE TRIANGLE.

FOURTH SERIES.

No I.

THE existence of various denominations of Christians, while it certainly evinces human imperfection, yet does not certainly prove the whole Church more corrupt, or more liable to declension, than she would be under a greater uniformity of sentiment, and one general communion. This remark is justified by the history of the Church, while as yet there had been few secessions from the Romish communion. Though this consideration cannot diminish the obligation of every Christian to seek for greater unity, and to desire greater uniformity, in the whole Christian world, yet it should be regarded as a motive to fervent charity, to Christian forbearance, and a spirit of tolera tion.

The tower of Babel began to rise, while the whole human family spake one language; and whilst the whole Christian world formed, comparitively speaking, but one church, Constantine planned and organized her government after the model of the Roman empire, and made the dignitaries of each conformable and equal to the other; and the great lords of the church were quite satisfied and highly gratified, now, in such times, that Christ's kingdom should become a kingdom of this world.

A certain class of men have sufficiently instructed mankind

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