Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/107

Rh me, sir, but surely argument, especially upon religious subjects, is preferable to ridicule, to punning upon the name of an author. "And where, pray, is the objectionable paragraph, to which you advert?" I pointed it out; but, on looking in his face, I observed his countenance fallen, it was no longer toward me. Mr. Mason questioned my judgment, and never afterward honoured me by his attention. However, I still believed Mason right, and Relly wrong; for if Relly were right, the conclusion was unavoidable, all men must finally be saved. But this was out of the question, utterly impossible; all religious denominations agreed to condemn this heresy, to consider it as a damnable doctrine, and what every religious denomination united to condemn, must be false.

Thus, although I lost the favour of Mr. Mason, and he published his pamphlet precisely as it stood, when submitted to my perusal, yet my reverential regard for him was not diminished. I wished, most cordially wished success to his book, and destruction to the author, against whom it was written.

In this manner, some months rolled over my head, when, accompanying my wife on a visit to her aunt, after the usual ceremonies, I repaired, according to custom, to the book-case, and turning over many books and pamphlets, I at length opened one, that had been robbed of its title-page; but in running it over, I came to the very argument, which had excited so much anxiety in my bosom. It was the first moment I had ever seen a line of Mr. Relly's writing, except in Mr. Mason's pamphlet. I was much astonished, and turning to Mrs. Murray, I informed her, I held Mr. Relly's Union in my hand. I asked our uncle, if I might put it in my pocket? "Surely," said he, "and keep it there, if you please, I never read books of divinity; I know not what the pamphlet is, nor do I wish to know." As I put it into my pocket, my mind became alarmed, and perturbed. It was dangerous, it was tampering with poison, it was like taking fire into my bosom; I had better throw it into the flames, or restore it to the book-case; such was the conflict in my bosom. However, in the full assurance, that the Elect were safe; and that, although they took up any deadly thing, it should not hurt them, I decided to read the Union; and having thus made up my mind, I experienced a degree of impatience, until I reached home, when addressing the dear companion of my youth, I said: I have, my dear, judged, and condemned, before I have heard; but I have now an opportunity given me for deliberate investigation. "But," returned Mrs. Murray, "are we sufficient of ourselves?" No, my