A Defence of Our Fathers, and of the Original Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Against the Rev Alexander M'caine and Others With of Early American Methodism Classic Reprint

Excerpt from A Defence of "Our Fathers," and of the Original Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Against the Rev. Alexander M'caine and Others: With Historical and Critical Notices of Early American Methodism

The fair and. Honourable fame of our fathers is a treasure committed to our common trust; in which all who bear their name ought to feel an interest; and to defend which is our common duty. The best construction of which their conduct and motives are susceptible was due to them even while alive, with Opportunities and means to explain, and to defend themselves. Much more is it due in instituting an inquiry into their history, now that they are silenced in the grave, and incapable Of self-defence. As we would that men should do to us, when death shall have sealed our lips, and stricken from our hand the ready pen, let us do even so to them. For the measure which we mete to Others, in the just retributive visitations of' Heaven, will be meted to us again. We should take heed, then, how, with rash and wanton rudeness, we trample upon the ashes of deceased fathers.

In the present discussion, however, we ask not for charity, in the cold sense Of that abused term; nor that pity shall turn the scale of judgment. We demand simple justice, - sheer justice. By that balance we agree that our fathers shall be tried. In that crucible' we consent that both their acts and their motives shall be tested. All that we ask for them, in passing the ordeal, is, the allowance of the frailty inseparable from humanity; and from which, with the purest and best intentions, the wisest and the holiest mortals have never been exempted.

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