The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PORTSMOUTH, May 20.

As the following came well recommended by a Number of our Customers, we could not refuse it a Place here.

To the Publishers of the NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.

By the Boston Gazette, which came associated Clergy of Boston, together with Mr. John Morehead, have published two Columns and half in that Paper, in order to silence, or invalidate the Preaching of Mr. John Murray, who performed in several Congregations in this Town to very great Acceptance, at least nineteen in twenty approved of that Gentleman's ministerial Qualifications, as a good Orator, and a sound Divine; whose Discourses were well connected; and he has an excellent Talent at Clearness and Reasoning in his public Exhibitions as well as private Conversation.

Is it not surprising, that such a Number of Reverend Gentlemen and Doctors Should endeavour to destroy the Usefulness of a Young Genius, who may prove a great Blessing to Mankind, by raking up some supposed or real Imprudences he had been guilty of 7 Years ago, in not conforming to the rigid Impositions of some Presbyters, which is no Ways essential to Christianity.

-Is it not very strange there should be so much harping upon Trifles, and not one Word about his Doctrine, nor the least Pretence of his being erroneous in Principle?

--Is this according to the Scriptures, Or Doing As WE Would BE done By? - There is but very few Characters that will bear a strict Examination; and I don't doubt, would some of these ancient Gentlemen look back forty or fifty Years, they would find some Motes, if not Beams! that had been in their own Eyes; some Slips in their Conduct, that might deserve Church Censures :-- Why then should this Gentleman's supposed Failings, be made so public? - For my Part I see nothing of Christianity in this Way of Procedure- and Oh !-but what mighty Crimes has he been guilty of?

-Why, his Credentials are not properly attested, and of Consequence they suspect they are forged; the OUTWARD CALL is not fully complied with; not One Word do they say about his internal Qualifications-a No; he must go to Ireland, it seems, about three thousand Miles, to get a proper Certificate to preach, they say, and clear up all Difficulties that lay upon their Minds;

when perhaps they may be in the Dark themselves--

But after all; I apprehend that some more weighty Reasons lays upon their Minds, than the Authenticity of his Credentials :-What can this be? Why, I will guess, perhaps they fear he will collect great Numbers of People together, and therefore we, the associated Pastors, will all agree to silence him, and publish our Names, and get Mr. Morehead to join us, though he is not of us ;-otherwise, if we shut him out, he may get Mr. Murray to preach in his Meeting House, and our Hearers will follow him--therefore we will act the Wisdom of the Serpent, and at present wave the Harmlessness of the Dove, and see if we cannot quell him, unless he will submit to our Regulations.--Perhaps something like this may lay in these Gentlemen's Minds,-

The main Thing as to the Hearers is, Whether he preaches the Gospel or no?--and if he does, are we to suspect his Aims and Views are all hypocritical, while his present Conduct and Manner of Life is agreeable to his public Performances?--To the Honor of the Gentlemen the Clergy here and others, they made no Opposition-but he was kindly received, and with Reluctance parted with.--And would now be as universally entertained, should he return this Way, as before:

notwithstanding all that has been published against him.

The best Way I can think of to Accomplish their Design, and be at Peace, would be to try to persuade Mr. Murray to go back again and visit these several Presbyters, even if they paid his Passage, and lay in Stores for his Voyage : otherwise there will be no Peace in Boston for some Time.-- It is very mysterious we cannot hear one Word from these Gentlemen concerning Mr. Sandeman, who is set down in the midst of them?

Is there no Danger of his hurting their common Christian Profession, as they term it? Is he no Ways dangerous to the Church of Christ? Are they not in the Dark, and have they no Suspicions on their Minds about him?-

And as they apprehend the Honor of Religion greatly Suffers by these Means, and is like to do so, as long as Mr. Murray continues in good Standing with the Judicatories of the Church ; Is there no Danger from any others? -No, it seems, if a Man is not like to disturb their common Christian Profession, and if he is but regularly introduced, it is no Matter, they may SLEEP ON, but to disturb People in their Security, it is not agreeable, it makes an Uneasiness--the Peace of the Churches are in Danger.--But to conclude, and without entering any further, or more minutely into this Affair, we now leave it to the impartial Public, to consider, whether it is not dishonorable in these Gentlemen, to discourage a Man in the Exercise of the Gospel Ministry, who is so well qualified therefor, notwithstanding the Censures of some Ecclesiastical Churches, which perhaps are more severe than wise; and therefore desire the unprejudiced to judge, whether there is not more the CRAFT of the FOX than the INNOCENCE of the DOVE, taking the whole together, and the publishing it in the Manner these Gentlemen have done.