A DEBATE
ON
THE STATE OF THE DEAD,
BETWEEN
REV. THOMAS P. CONNELLY, A. B.,
AN EVANGELIST OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
AND
NATHANIEL FIELD, M. D.,
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF GOD MEETING AT THE CHRISTIAN TABERNACLE
IN
THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
HELD AT OLD UNION MEETING HOUSE, IN THE VICINITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, IN THE SUMMER OF 1852.
REPORTED BYJ. G. GORDON, ESQ.,
ATTORNEY AT LAW, AND REVISED BY THE PARTIES.LOUISVILLE:
PRINTED BY MORTON & GRISWOLD
1854
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by
NATHANIEL
FIELD, M. D.,
In the Clerk's Office, for the District of Indiana.
Stereotyped and Printed by
MORTON & GRISWOLD,
Louisville, Ky.
PREFACE
The relative position of the parties to the following debate, makes it necessary that the circumstances which superinduced it should be explained. A division of sentiment having occurred in a large and respectable church, in the vicinity of Indianapolis, identified with the reformation, as advocated by Mr. Alexander Campbell, which somewhat disturbed the equanimity of some of the preachers in that connection, who, like their great leader, oppose every thing as speculative and useless that does not accord with their views, a proposition was made by the party holding the sleep of the dead, to discuss the mooted question; which was accepted by Mr. Thomas P. Connelly, an evangelist of the Christian Church, then a resident of the city of Indianapolis. Brother Nathan Hornaday, on behalf of that part of the brotherhood holding my views of the dead, addressed me on the the subject, requesting me to meet Mr. Connelly, as the defender and exponent of their views. After mature deliberation, I consented to do so. My letter of acceptance was forwarded to Mr. Connelly, who then opened a correspondence with me on the subject, which resulted in an agreement to discuss the proposition presented and elaborated in the following pages.
- Man, by creation, or by virtue of his union with the first Adam, is immortal. Mr. Connelly taking the affirmative, Dr. Field the negative.
- When man dies, he falls into an unconscious state until the resurrection. Dr. Field the affirmative, Mr. Connelly the negative.
- The punishment of the wicked will be endless suffering. Mr. Connelly the affirmative, Dr. Field the negative.
- The kingdom of God promised to the saints in the Old and New page: 4[View Page 4] Testaments, is yet future, and will not be set up and organized until the second advent of Christ. Dr. Field the affirmative, Mr. Connelly the negative.
- All that the saints ever will inherit, will be given to them on this earth, which is destined again to become a paradise, and be the everlasting abode of the redeemed. Dr. Field the affirmative, Mr. Connelly the negative.
For good reasons, I need not mention, all of the propositions were declined, except the second, which was so modified as to give Mr. C. the affirmative.
By this arrangement, the debate was narrowed down to a single question, rather too isolated for the edification of a church divided in sentiment on several collateral questions; nevertheless, the discussion unavoidably took such a direction, that some light was elicited on the general subject of life and death. In the whole, I am satisfied it will prove beneficial, and deeply interesting, at this particular juncture, when the popular mind is so much excited by the delusions and vagaries of modern spiritualism. It cannot be said that the state of the dead is a matter of no importance. Daily observation and experience contradict the assumption. The peculiar character of the age in which we live, the morbid appetite for the marvellous, and the extravagant love of excitement, so rife in society, civil and and religious, render a theological work of this kind both appropriate and opportune. To the student of the Bible, and, indeed, to every, one desirous of correct information in regard to the state of the dead, and other kindred topics, it will be found to be a book of real practical utility.
Its publication has been delayed much beyond the time in which I supposed it could be got through the press; but in consequence of very bad health, which prevented me from superintending the business, it was postponed.
All the speeches have been revised by the parties, and therefore, receive their hearty approval. Mr. Connelly, living at some distance from the place of publication, has not been able to read the proof-sheets of his speeches; but especial care has been taken to preserve conformity to the manuscript he furnished, and no changes have knowingly been made.
Mr. Connelly and myself, it is supposed, belong to one and the same church or ecclesiastical organization. This is a mistake. We once did; but to relieve the minds of the ministry of the reformation, page: 5[View Page 5] so called, who were greatly troubled at the idea of being responsible for the views already hinted at, and to avoid contention and strike, not only for the views themselves, but for the liberty of speech, I came to the conclusion, some time ago, to take an independent stand and teach the scriptures, constitute churches, and advise and assist in the management of their temporal and evangelical affairs, without regard to my former connections and associations. By this step, I not only avoided the denunciations of the ministry of the reformation, who, from being the avowed champions of liberty and free discussion, have suddenly become the advocates of proscription and gag-laws; but placed myself in a position favorable to a true and progressive reformation. Not an imperfect and restricted one, meted and bounded by the views and authority of one man, but by the Bible itself My present position is not only promotive of a reformation of progress, but of union and co-operation for evangelical purposes, with all who practically and sincerely adopt the Bible alone as their creed. The church at Jeffersonville, of which I have the oversight, occupies broad and liberal ground, on which they can consistently invite all genuine and consistent advocates of reform to meet with them in labor and fellowship. It is their aim to practice what they profess— not only to say that all men are free to read and think for themselves, but to allow them to do it.
I invoke for this work a calm and unprejudiced perusal, as embodying all the arguments of any importance on both sides of the question. Mr. Connelly has done his proposition full justice; and if he has not succeeded in proving it, it is not because he lacked ability. He is a logician and an orator, and I do not believe that there is any man in Indiana, who could have managed his cause with more adroitness, or acquitted himself with greater credit.
November 7, 1853
N. FIELD
page: [6][View Page [6]]RULES OF THE DISCUSSION
- FIRST. It shall commence at 10 o'clock A.M., and close at 4 P.M. of each day, allowing an interval of two hours for refreshment.
- SECOND. The parties shall be limited to half hour speeches.
- THIRD. The speakers will observe towards each other personal respect and Christian courtesy in conducting the discussion. As their object is the discovery and dissemination of truth, they will cherish for each other that charity which is the bond of perfection.
- FOURTH. The debate will continue from day to day, until the parties are satisfied that the arguments on both sides are exhausted.
- FIFTH. During the discussion, there shall be no public expressions of the feelings and opinions of the auditors in regard to the question in debate.
- L. H. JAMESON
- W. G. PROCTOR
- JOHN HADLEY
- Moderators
Time of meeting: Friday, August 27, 1852.
