Christian Holiness...

Front matter

LIBRARY, Of CONGRESS.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

rrs

Preface

Books, like men, have a history. The origin of this volume w£ts in a hastily prepared sermon preached at the Messiah Camp-meeting at Milford, Conn., Sept. 1, 1865, which, at a special meeting of the ministers present was requested for publication. Upon being printed in pamphlet form, the whole edition of 2300 copies was sold within a few days.

Bishop K.. S Foster, in his revised edition of " Christian Purity,''^ did it the honor to quote entire thirty-four of its thirty-seven pages, with mingled approbation and dissent, concluding with this paragraph : '* The treatise contains not only important and astutely expressed truth, but more than that, points the way to some deep and occult cases which are of real value to the discussion. With slight verbal changes, and a few modifications of ideas, we should feel that the treatise is not only able, but essentially correct. It has three great merits ; its spirit is excellent, its manner is fresh and unique, and it recognizes and enforces the great doctrine of the need and possibility of advanced holiness on the part of believers ; not failing to recognize the fact that the Holy Ghost is the great agent who also will do it in a

17 PREFACE.

moment on the faith of the seeking soul." " Christian Purity;' pp. 363-4.

Much thought and frequent intercourse with seekers after the higher grades of Christian experience, together with a free interchange of views with many who have experienced much, have convinced the writer of the need of a work upon this subject differing in . its forms of statement, scope of application and clearly defined limitations, from all that has previously appeared. Ignoring no well-established facts, controverting no class of writers, seeking nothing new because it is new, clinging to nothing old because it is old, but prayerfully appropriating all helps of science within reach, and fearlessly expressing facts of Christian experience in terms of modern thought, the writer has endeavored to evolve something that shall help the struggling spirit in its efforts to reach higher good ; (whether he has succeeded in retaining the excellences above named, the reader will decide.) In doing so, he has felt the impulse of a profound conviction that every branch of human knowledge is susceptible of philosophical treatment, and that whenever a sufficient number of facts have been noted to justify that attempt, a candid and patient effort in that direction will always be productive of good.

"Let there be Md before the Church, especially before souls panting after; ^ all the fullness of God/ the exact transcript of each Christian consciousness under the

PBEFACE. V

illumination of the Holy Ghost, so far as language can be a vehicle of that which ^ passeth knowledge/ and not only will souls in trouble be comforted, but there will be accumulated a mass of facts, out of which some analytical mind, some theological Sir William Hamilton, may do what all systemizers have hitherto failed to do, construct out of the Bible and experience, a consistent and symmetrical science of Christian perfection/* Rev, Daniel Steele^ D, D.

The Author is not vain enough to believe himself the Sir Wm. Hamilton referred to, but consoles himself with the thought that when that Philosopher does appear he will not be unwilling to have had his work pioneered by even this small effort in the direction of systematic statement.

As to the success of the present undertaking it is for one class of readers only to decide, viz., those who will survey its several parts, not as detached statements isolated from their relations, but as segments of the one whole, and that whole to be carefully considered in the spirit of investigation which discards all prejudice and holds all theories in check while the examination proceeds.

Such as it is, it is trustfully committed to the care of that Providence who will assign its sphere and guard its results. The Author.

MY WORK.

Hast thou work for me, my Father,— Work for me, and me alone?

Task thou canst not give another, — Let that task to me be shown.

Does that deed to me, my Father, Seem so little and ur'mown

That, to greater I would rather Turn and leave this all undone?

Hast such work for me, my Father, Work that should this day be done—

From some field a sheaf to gather ? Now I make that work my own.

Hast thou work for me, my Father, Work to large dimensions grown?

For that toil of faith and power Now anoint thy trusting one.

Come, my Father, strong and loving^ Guide and Helper, kind and true.

To my heart this moment proving Thou dost give the power to do.

O, my Father, in my doing Let thy will be fully done!

May that will — divine, unerring, Crown the work by me begun.

Chapter I. The Legitimate Scope of the Subject

1. Not to prove its existence, p. 1

2. Not to correct theological misstatements of it.

3. Must survey all classes of facts pertaining to it.

4. Should exhibit the principles in accordance with

which the experience becomes possible, p. 4.

5. Should consider the forces involved, as deducible

from its facts and principles, p. 4.

6. Must enunciate the laws of the subject, p. 4.

7. Should show the relation of those laws to the facts of

personal responsibility, p. 5.

Chapter II. The Experimental Facts Stated. P. 6

1. Pre-regenerate. pp. 6-17. 1. A universal conscious-

ness of guilt, p. 6. 2. A corruption of the Nature, p. 7. (1) Original, p. 7-9. (2) Acquired, p. 9. A. Physical, p. 10. B. Mental, p. 10. C. Spiritual, p. 10. (3) Hereditary, pp. 11-14. 3. Contrition for sin. (1) Self-condemnation, p. 15. (2) Grief, p. 15. 4. Repentance for sin. p. 16. 5. Belief in Christ as a pres-ent Savior, p. 17. (1) Intellectual credence. (2) Hearty reliance.

2. Con-regenerate facts, p. 18. 1. A mysterious inter-

nal change — embracing. (1) An assurance of pardon. (2) A consciousness of freedom from guilt. (3) The absence of self-condemnation, p. 19. (4) Consciousness of love for God and his people. (5) Absolute and grateful submission to ail his will. (6) A new-born zeal to do good. p. 20. (7) Hatred of sin. (8) Joy in me Holy Ghost, p. 21. 2. An outr ward change corresponding with the inward.

yih, COM TENTS.

3. Post-regenerate facts, p. 22. 1. A period of joyful trinmph. 2. x4. sad discovery of in-dwelling sin. 3. Consternation and confusion, p. 23. 4. Kallying to the struggle, p. 24. 5, Alternate victories and defeats. 6. The cleansing, p. 25. 7. The re-awakenings, p. 27. 8. The renewed cleansings.

Chapter III. The Forces Engaged. P. 28

Spirit, soul and body discriminated, p. 29. Attributes of each. pp. 29, 30. the difference, p. 30. Spirit faculties of a higher order. Spirit has three that the soul has not. pp. 31, 32.

1. Spirit-forces. Divine ; human ; Satanic, p. 33.

2. Psychical, — soul-forces involved.

3. Physical. 1. Vital force. 2. Sensibility-co-operating

force, p. 34. 3. Automatic, or reflex activity force. The law of spirit-habit, p. 34. Habit, p. 35. 4. Will-co-operating force. 5. Mind-conditionating force. The structure and function of the brain and nerves, p. 36. The cerebro-spinal nervous system, p. 36. Two kinds of tissue in nervous system, p. 37. (1) White substance. (2) Grey substance. The structure of nerve filaments, p. 38. A. Colorless tubular membrane. B. Semifluid tubular marrow. C. Axis cylinder. The cerebro-spinal system consists of — p. 39 — A. The spinal cord. B. Themedulia oblongata, p. 40. C. The sensory ganglia. D. The cerebellum. E. The cerebrum. Their appliances for the discharge of their functions are: A. The spinal cord and its thirty-two pairs of nerves, p. 40. The functions of the cord are, (a) That of a nerve-center, pp. 41, 42. With a triple object, viz. : ((aj) To scatter an entering influence into a number of tracks. p. 43. ((b)) To combine it into a new result, ((c)) To retain a residuum from it. (b) Another function of the cord is as a nerve of communication, p. 44. (c) Still another is as a pathway for certain channels of sensation. The medulla, p. 44. Sensorium-commune. p. 45. Conscious sensations. Keflex actions. Involuntary movements. May be

CONTENTS. IX,

excited by the organic stimuli, p. 46. Consciousness, p. 47. The sensory ganglia are, p. 48. (1) Seats of sensational consciousness. (2 j Of consciousness of mental states. (3) Centres of sensori-reflex movements. (4) Springs of nervous force to bear the mandates of the will to the muscles. The cerebellum, — co-ordinates voluntary movements, p. 49. The cerebrum receives impressions from the immaterial spirit, p. 49. The will of the spirit stands in the place of a higher nervous centre, pp. 49-50. The direction of the reactions of the cerebrum, p. 51. The nature of emotions, p. 51. Determined largely by the acquired nature, p. 52. The psychical tone. p. 52. The will in some relations automatic, p. 53.

Chapter IV. The Principles Concerned. P. 55

1. Those which relate to God. 1. God's equity in grace.

p. 56. 2. Different degrees of moral purity consistent with a Christian character, p. 57. 3. The incompatibility of present justification with a present state of moral unfitness for heaven, p. 59. 4. Holiness the grand requisite for admission to heaven, p. 61. How much ? p. 62. (1) So much as is involved in regeneration. (2) Such as is added by a faithful life. (3) Such as is given in the hour of death. No promise of such. p. 63. Reasons against the view. pp. 63-67. 5. The immediate accomplishment of His part of the work of salvation upon the occurrence of the right conditions in the subject, p. 67. 6. The necessity of dealing with dissimilar facts as dissimilar, p. 68. The me and the my.^

2. Principles which relate to men. p. 70. Preliminary

propositions. First— Religious mental processes subject to the ordinary laws of mental action, p. 70. Second — Physical states modify mental action in religious experience. 1. He must be convicted of the reality and malignity of his moral disease, p. 71. 2. Must be convinced that there is an effectual

X. CO^^TENTS.

remedy for him. 3. Must desire and determine to procure it. 4. Must be conscious of the validity of his efforts, p. 72. 5. Must have a positive assurance of cure. 6. Yet all these things subject to the modifications induced by physical conditions, p. 73. 3. Principles which relate to the Tempter. 1. Unmitigated hostility to the work in all its phases, p. 73. 2. Pre-inclination to frustrate it. p. 74.

Chapter Y. The Laws in Action. P. 74.

1. Mental, p. 75. 1, Laws of normal development and

action. (1) The recognized dominancy of reason, conscience and judgment. (2) Each faculty used in its own ephere. p. 76. (3) The testimony of each unimpeachable within its appropriate sphere, p. 77. 2. Laws of abnormal development and action, p. 78. (1) Perversity: — regulative faculties overborne. Illustrations of its power. Habits. Coleridge, pp. 79-81. Largely physical, pp. 81-82. (2) Irregularity : — habitual disuse, or excessive use of certain faculties.

2. Spiritual. 1. Laws of normal spiritual development

and action, p. 85. (1) Acceptance of Christ as the all-sufficient Savior. (2) Complete submission to the will of God. p. 85. (3) Entire consecration to the work of God. (4) Eeliance upon the guidance and sustainment of the Holy Spirit, p. 87. (5) Procurement of the special helps of grace. 2. Laws of abnormal spiritual development and action, p. 88. (1) Partial acceptance of Christ. (2) Eebellion against God's will. p. 89. (3) Defective consecration to God's work. (4) Par^.^'al self-guidance and self-dependence, p. 90. (5) Neglect of the aid of the Holy Spirit. (6) Mental instability. (7) Excessive mental bias. p. 91. (8) Bodily infirmities.

3. Physical, p. 92. 1. Laws of normal development and

action. (1) Healthful respiration. (2) Normal circulation. (3) Adequate and balanced nutrition, p. 93. (4) Well-regulated activity. (5) Timely

CONTENTS. XI.

and sufficient protection. 2. Laws of abnormal development and action. (1) Disturbance of function, p. 94. A. Diminished or excessive func- , tional activity. B. Sympathetic disturbance of other functions. (2) Organic change of functional product, p. 95. (3) Consequent organic changes elsewhere. (4) Inheritance, p. 96. Heredity defined. Physical and moral degeneracy the result. p. 97. Deviations from the normal type. p. 98. The habit of the parent becoming the instinct of the child. Intemperance and insanity, p. 99. Moral liberty, p. 100. The laius of transmission and heritage, p. 101. A. Uniformity. B. Duplication, a. Physical peculiarities of structure or functions, pp. 102-104. b. Organic or nervous diseases, p. 104. c. Special tendencies or aptitudes to certain modes of action, p. 104. d. Mental traits, p. 105. e. Sentiments and passions. C. Diversity, a. In species and varieties, p. 107. b. In nervous diseases, p. 108. c. In the transmission of temporary states, p. 109. D. Impressional heredity, p. 110-114, E. Eecurrency. p. 114. Modifying forces, p. 115. a. The influence of one parent in counteracting that of the other, p. 116. b. The union of the influence of both. c. Any influence that gives temporary dominancy to the forces of diversity as against duplication, and vice versa, p. 117. d. Any habitual subjection to cause that antagonize recurrency. e. Spontaneous variations. The cause of transmission, p. 119. Heredity as related to the temperaments, viz. : inactive, vital, mental, p. 121,

Chapter VI. The Eelation of these Laws to Personal Eesponsibility. P. 123. 1, Personal responsibility is modified by two princi

ples. 1. Sufficient knowledge. 2. Sufficient power, p. 124.

2. These principles applied, p. 125. 1. Sufficiency of

knowledge. 2. Sufficiency of power, p. 126. A

1. CONTENTS.

distinct species of abnormal humanity, p. 127. (1) A condition in which impulse is the only law. p. 128. (2) May be induced by circumstances. (3) Their responsibilty. The chemistry of character, pp. 129-131. Special laws for the unfortunates, p. 131. (1) Conscious integrity of purpose. (2) Honest and habitual effort to carry it out. p. 132. With sufficient knowledge and power the normal laws of Christian holiness sweep through the entire field of personal responsibility, pp. 132-134. So of the normal laws of physical action, pp. 134-136.

PAET II.

Chapter I. The Theory of Christiaint Holiness. P. 136

1. Man has a three-fold nature.

2. Spirit discriminated from soul.

3. Conscience, intuitions, and moral obligation.

4. Conscience demands perfect obedience.

5. Intelligence apprehends a law of obedience and a

future existence.

6. Depravities.

7. Plan of grace.

8. After regeneration depravities inhere in the soul and

9. Proper work of Christian life is to — 1. Continue re-

generated. 2. Seek the complemental condition of soul and body. 3. Complimental condition reached by — (1) Substituting out. (2) Eevolutionary power of the Holy Spirit. 4. Complimental condition maintained.

10. Power of the Holy Spirit in the expulsion of acquired appetites, &c. p. 139.

11. In the cure of diseases, pp. 140-142.

12. Natural appetites readjusted, pp. 142-143.

13. The modus operandi, p. 144.

14. The law of emotion, p. 145.

15. Transmission of godly predispositions, p. 146.

16. Possible sanctifications. p. 148. 1. Normal. 2.

CONTENTS. Xlll.

Neuropathic. 3. Super-normal. 4. Emotional

17. Interchangeable, p. 149.

18. Outward evidences, p. 149. 1. Normal ; harmony with the will of God. 2. Neuropathic ; wanting.

3. Super-normal ; a marked contrast in addition to the normal evidence, p. 150.

19. These discriminations must be made in the interests of large-hearted charity.

Chapter II. Objections Considered. P. 152

1. To assumed facts. 1. To the reality of any such

experience as Christian Hoiiness, 2. To the underlying assumption that consciousness correctly reports the true state of the heart, p. 153. 3. To the assumption that Christians are not made entirely holy by a single act of sanctifying grace, p, 154.

4. To the assumption that Philosophy is competent to deal with this question without the aid of Eevelation. p. 156.

2. Verbal objections. "The phraseology is unusual,

and will not be understood.'^ p. 157.

3. Logical objections, p. 158. 1. ^' Too much conces-

sion made to the materialistic theories of the day." 2 ^'Free-will is limited in the ratio of the extension of heredity." p. 159. 3. '' Education is more powerful than heredity." p. 161. 4. This use of heredity loads parents with a responsibility fearful to contemplate, p. 162.

4. Theoretical objections. 1. "The classification of

sanctification ^ives too much ground to self-exculpation." p. 163. 2. "In attributing depravity to the soul and body, the Scriptures are denied and a doctrine of heathen philosophy is foisted into Christianity." p. 164. 3. " The eradication of artificial appetites is a delusion." p. 166. 4. " The doctrine of faith-cures lias no foundation in fact in these times, and tends to fanaticism." pp. 167-170. 5. " The supposition on page 144 that brain and nerves are subject to spirit influence has no foundation." p. 170. 6. " Too much stress is laid upon the sug-