AN ARGUMENT FOR "DISCOURSES ON CHRISTIAN NURTURE,” ADDRESSED TO THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, BY HORACE BUSHNELL. HARTFORD. EDWIN HUNT, No. 6 ASYLUM STREET. BX 7333 gift Tappan Presb, Assor 3-29-1833 ARGUMENT, &C. DEAR BRETHREN,-Your decision, when suspending the sale of my little book, to do it without 'publicity,' was kindly designed; but, inasmuch as I heard of it in the streets the very next day, I should have been quite as well satisfied, if you had not extended a show of protection to my infirmity which after all was to be so precarious. You will, at least, make no complaint under the circumstances, if I publish the suspension myself. The history of this little book is worthy of recital. When I returned from Europe, I found that certain paragraphs of an article which I had published in the New Englander had provoked some feeling of dissent, in the ministerial Association to which I belong, and that I was appointed to discuss a question made up on the subject of Christian training, involving the matter dissented from. I produced two discourses on the question, for my pulpit, and read the argument before the Association. The question was then discussed by the members present. I do not recollect that any one seriously objected to the view given, or desired any correction more radical than the addition of some verbal qualifications. A venerable father, whose name is a name of confidence and respect, second to no other in our churches, offered a motion that I should be requested to print the discourses. No one objected, and the vote was passed, I believe, nem. con. They were not produced for publication, but my strong conviction of the importance of the subject and of the view presented, induced me afterwards to comply; and while I was preparing them for publication, in another manner, one of the members of your committee requested me to allow your Society to publish them. I felt some doubt, which I expressed, whether your Society would do it; not because there is any thing in the practical view presented, which conflicts with, or may not with very slight modifications be adopted into the received opinions of any theological school known among us; but because the view itself is different from that commonly held, and was likely not to meet a ready acceptance. Your committee had the manuscript in their possession for five or six months. It made its first impression as anonymous. I have understood that it was much discussed, and finally that every member of your large committee actually read it for himself. I have understood also that you had |