36 INTRODUCTION. 



insisting on castin*^ off ecclesiastical connection wth the classis of Amsterdam ; 

 the other the " conferentia," which struggled to maintain that connection. The 

 weif^ht of learning was on the side of the latter ; but zeal, industry and more 

 practical preaching distinguished the former. The conti-oversy was finally settled 

 in 1772, chiefly through the agency of the reverend Dr. John H. Livingston and 

 the reverend Dr. Laidley of New- York, and the reverend Dr. Eilardus Westerlo 

 of Albany, and the reverend Dr. Theodoric Romeyn of Schenectady. 



In 1805, Dr. William Linn commenced, in the Albany Sentinel, a series of 

 strictures upon a work then recently published by the reverend John H. Hobart, 

 afterwards bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, entitled " A Companion 

 for the Altar," in which the peculiar claims and tenets of the Episcopal ministry, 

 in regard to divine ordination, were set forth. Mr. Hobart's doctrines were de- 

 fended with great ability by Thomas Y. How, Esq., under the signature of " A 

 Layman of the Episcopal Church," and by the reverend Frederick Beasly of 

 Albany, under the name of " Cyprian." Dr. Linn rejoined, and thus drew into 

 the controversy bishop Moore, who assumed the name of " Cornelius ;" bishop 

 White of Pennsylvania, under the name of " Detector," and Mr. Hobart, under 

 the signature of " Vindex." Dr. Linn, under the signatures of " Umpire " and 

 " Inquirer," defended himself with great ability against these new antagonists. 

 These essays constitute a part of our theological learning. In 1806, the reverend 

 John M. Mason, D.D., reviewed these essays in the Christian's Magazine. What- 

 ever may be thought of the merit of the controvei'sy, it is universally admitted 

 that the review was written with extraordinary force and brilliancy, logical acu- 

 men and point. It excited great interest, and the whole controversy is worthy of 

 a reperusal. Dr. Mason is remembered as a man of ardent temperament, great 

 genius, high literary attainments and deeply versed in all the learning of his pro- 

 fession, and as a fearless commentator on the tendency of passing events. He 

 employed the whole powers of his intellect in expounding the scriptures, and 

 excelled in eloquence and persuasion all his contemporaries.* The reverend 



• M. C. Patterson's Address on Primary Education. 



