The Brigham Young Center

Salt Lake City, U.T.
August 6. 1870.

Rev. Dr. J.P. Newman.

Sir:

In accordance with our usual custom of tendering clergymen of every denomination passing through our City, the opportunity of preaching in our Tabernacles of worship, I sent you, this afternoon, an invitation tendering you the use of the small Tabernacle in the morning, or the New Tabernacle in the afternoon, or both at your pleasure, which you have seen proper to decline.

You charge me with "disclaiming & declining the discussion which you came here to hold," I ask you, Sir, what right have you to charge me with declining a challenge which I never gave you, or, to assume as a challenge from me. the writing of any unauthorized news paper editor? Admitting that you could distort the <article in> question to be a challenge from me (which I do not believe you conscientiously could) was it not the duty of a gentleman to ascertain whether I was responsible for the so-called challenge before your assumption of such a thing? and, certainly much more so before making your false charges.

Your assertion, that "if you had not chosen to construe the article in question as a challenge from me, I "could then have adopted the Telegraph as my organ & the said article as a challenge" is an insinuation, in my judgment, very discreditable to yourself and ungentlemanly in the extreme. & forces the conclusion that the author of it would not scruple to make use of such a subterfuge himself.

You say that Mr. Sloan is the author of the article, if so, he is perfectly capable of defending it. and I have no doubt you will find him equally willing to do so; or, Professor Orson Pratt, whose name it appears is the only one suggested in the article, I am confident, he would be willing to meet you, as would hundreds of our elders whose fitness, & respectability I would consider beyond question.

In conclusion, I will ask, what must be the opinion of every candid, reflecting mind who views the facts as they appear,--will they not conclude that this distortion of the truth in accusing me of disclaiming & declining a challenge which I never even contemplated is unfair & ungentlemanly in the extreme & must have been invented with some sinister motive? Will they not consider it a paltry and an insignificant attempt on your part to gain notoriety--regardless of the truth? this you may succeed in obtaining. but I am free to confess, as my opinion, that you will find such notoriety more unenviable than profitable, and as disgraceful as it is unworthy of our profession.

If you think you are capable of proving the doctrine of "Plurality of Wives" <unscriptural> tarry here as a Missionary we will furnish you the suitable place, the congregation & plenty of our elders, any of whom will discuss with you, on that, or any other scriptural doctrine.

Respectfully
Brigham Young