Modern Universalism at war with the Bible and reason...

Front matter

{ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. J

UN-IVE11SAUSM

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Chapter II. Human Depravity

What Universalisni teaches — that all are born as pure as Adam was— views of Ballou, Skinner, Le Fevre and others — the

Scriptures teach otherwise — what depravity has not done in

what.it consists— its results— sin confined to the body — the soul never sins — disproved — God, the Author of sin — total depravity denied— the doctrine defended. - - page 43

Chapter III. Penalty Of Sin

The Jews and christians believed in future and everlasting punishment — but Universalists dissent— not inclined to discuss future punishment — their views — heaven never forfeited by sinsin no influence beyond death — proved that heaven is forfeited — eternal life implies the heavenly state — the penalty of sin — it is death — natural death denied, but proved — moral death — eternal death — death, negation of life. - - page 74

Chapter IV. Punishment Of Sin

DniversaJism toar-hos thai all punishment is confined to this life

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— their doubts manifest — their proofs that all suffering ceases at death — sin punishes itself — not by inflictions of God, but of conscience — its absurdity stated — all punislmient is emcndatory — opinion of A. B. Grosh — confuted — punishment, the greatest good of man — disproved — the doctrine of punishment stated — its objects — to vindicate law — reward the sinner — the evil of sin — the nature of punishment — a deprivation of happiness — sutler natural consequences — positive — future punishment — its necessity — to justify his Providence — to prevent . the escape of the wicked — conscience in all ages confirms it — the Scriptures teach it — by its terms and figures — locality — descriptions inappropriate to this life — the contrast of happiness and misery — conditionality of salvation — the same character in both worlds — after death — after the resurrection and Judgment — its Eternity — punishment not corrective — eternal, from words and phrases — the character of men opposite, their rewards in duration parallel — no conversion and pardon beyond this life — the sentence irrevocable. - - page 96

Chapter V. Salvation From Sin

The Scriptural doctrine — denial of salvation from the punishment of sin — only from present evil — first punished, then pardoned — moral government, its basis and exercise— what public justice — the doctrine of forgiveness from deserved punishment through Christ, stated and defended — salvation also from sin — those who are fully punished cannot be saved — no salvation but what saves from punishment. - page 209

Chapter VI. Atonement

Universalism, how far infidelity — Paine's view of Christ — denial of salvation and heaven by the sufferings of Christ — no vicarious atonement — the Apostles and others suffered as much, and to the same intent as Christ — the death of Christ peculiar — vicarious — elevates to heaven — purchases the crown.

V

CkAPTfcH VII

i:i ii S i vnck, PAITHj vm> REGJENEB LTIO

i are conditions of present and final salvation — denied by Universaliats— their views of repentance — the true view — of faith as belief on evidence — the defect — true faith — Regeneration — dissent from the common opinion — merely external — morality — not supernatural — stated, as taught by Christ — a radical change of heart effected by a supernatural agent — religion no condition of divine favor nor of heaven — so Ballou teaches — not the Bible — all reject it as necessary to final salvation — how then do Universalists expect to be saved — by the resurrection — will of God — His purpose — His promises.

pages 249 CHAPTER VIII.

THE GODHEAD AND SUPREME DIVINITY OF CHRIST.

The importance of the doctrine — the Trinity rejected by Universalists — Supreme Divinity of Christ rejected — created and dependent — one God in three subsistences proved — as a/ad, not as to the mode — Divinity of Christ — equal to God — names of God applied — passages of the Old Testament applied to Jehovah are applied to Christ in the New Testament — attributes — worship — he was human as well as divine — practical influence of the doctrine. - page 291

CHAPTER IX.

IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.

The doctrine stated — denied by Socinians and others — all mind is matter refined — views of Balfour, of Ballou and of Le Fevre — hope of future and endless existence based on the resurrection — Abner Kneeland — materialism — this is a legitimate result of Universalism carried out — materialism proven to be false — a conscious intermediate state — no annihilation of the wicked — the souPs immortality reasonable and Scriptural — believed in all ages — desired — structure of mind — moral improvement — its sprirituality — Scriptural. - - page 318

CHAPTER X.

PROBATION AND RETRIBUTION.

This doctrine repudiated by Universalism — what views are « mon to the denomination — the doctrine stated and proved — man is under moral government — state of discipline — analogy — the Bible proves the doctrine. • - - page 342

CHAPTER XI.

RESURRECTION.

Universalism teaches that all mankind will be equal in the resurrection, and enter heaven — the time when not known — Balfour's opinion— not the same body raised — the man is raised — no distinction of character — philosophical argument against the same bodies being raised — the power of God sufficient — explanation of Scripture as quoted by Universalists — Matth. xxii. 29, 30; also, 1 Cor. 15, — the resurrection — the time when — the distinction of character. - page 362

CHAPTER XII.

JUDGMENT.

The Judgment passed — is now in session — commenced at the beginning of his reign — 2 Tim. iv. 1, considered — also Matth. xvi. 27, 28. — Christ's kingdom — his coming — not at Jerusalem, but end of the world — the Judgment literal — after the resurrection — Jesus Christ the Judge— full of pomp and splendor — rectitude for its principle — draw a line of separation between the good and bad 3 and reward them accordingly.

page 403 CHAPTER XIII.

ERRONEOUS AND IMMORAL.

Covered with duplicity — error and contradictions — their tenets stated — their views of Satan — a few passages considered — immoral in tendency — irreverence for the Bible — contempt for religious devotion — blunts conscience and blends moral character — none converted to God by this system — none made prayerful and more pious — its results in hatred and dissention — testimony of Whittaker and others — all should disfellowship and discountenance it. - - - page 442

Preface

The prefatory remarks of any book are designed to express the motives and design of the Author, ano*to introduce considerations suitable to the better understanding of its contents. It seems therefore desirable, if not indispensable, that the following work should present to the reader succinctly the motives and design of its production.

1. We did not aspire after the applause of men nor seek to clothe our name with literary popularity. To secure these, two tilings are requisite. The selection of a popular subject, and the display of eminent literary attainments, in order to charm and fascinate the reader with originality, beauty of style and graceful sentences. We were well aware, that the subject chosen would impress no one with novelty, and the manner of its treatment would captivate no one with its peculiar originality, or with its < flowing and literary style. Were the Author qualified for the task of displaying vast attainments in literature, profound criticism, iron logic and overwhelming eloquence (to all of which he makes no special pretension,) nevertheless the subject discussed and the peculiar circumstances, as well as the chief object, under which this treatise was written would altogether preclude such aspiration and vanity. The applause of men, we do not anticipate to reap ; but rather antipathy and defamation from a certain source; and for literary popularity we have not labored, it being not very essential for usefulness in the kingdom of Christ.

2. Neither have we desired to provoke controversy, nor to display critical discernment, to gratify the vanity of mere conquest.. We are not fond of controversy, for if this were a characteristic of our mind, we might have been gratified heretofore upon sev- . eral occasions in reference to this subject. Whoever lives in the ♦ midst of U niversalists must pursue a strange course ia order to 1

PREFACE.

escape every occasion of controversy. We have ever labored with the impression on our mind, that a pitched controversy on this or any other moral question is of doubtful utility — it savors more of mere wrangling than of a sound, candid and conscienti^ ously earnest discussion. However, we would not convey the idea that a thorough discussion from the pulpit of this, or any other question, is always out of place ; but we are fully satisfied that a candid and earnest investigation of error before an enlightened audience is obliga^ry upon every ambassador of Christ, and is of vital importance to the general character of truth and religion. The style of the following work will challenge no controversy, if the presentation of the truth in contrast with errdr does not. It is not desirable to excite the irascible and wrangling spirit of man unnecessarily ; but rather to induce to sober, candid, calm, and impartial investigation of the relative importance of the claims of truth and error. If the reader wishes to controvert, let him step into the arena of warfare in a prayerful frame of mind with enlightened Reason and the Bible, and not with the author of this book. Mere controversy we do not desire, but a thorough discussion of truth and error we do not disclaim. This is right, desirable* and fraught with good.

3. We desire to arrest the spread and deadly influence of error. According to the boasting pretension of Universalists, their sect is rapidly multiplying in numbers, and their religious faith is spreading far and near. However, an exact estimate would doubtless greatly reduce the spread of their faith and the number of adherents, taking into calculation the waning and utter annihilation of Universalism where once it flourished ; yet the array of this error is formidable in some parts of the land, and the number of its advocates is numerous. They register and publish about 700 ministers, whose time is spent in vigorous dissemination of their principles, and they issue weekly many pages to prove. and defend their faith. If the machinery of the press and the voice of the preacher are in constant employment to extend Universalism, the moral results of which are disastrous to vital religion and auxiliary to the spread of infidelity^ then it is indispensable to create a counteracting current, to unmask this hideous form of error, and to snatch its unwary victims from the jaws of death. It is necessary to show, that same dr&w the cloak ofUniverui infidel beart,othen use it to drown sorrow and ward off the powerful influeiiceof the Holy Spirit, orto shield utansehres from die dire reproach of wilful apostasy from God} in older that c/ all those who are anconscidusly ensnared in the wiles of the ' Devil may be timely saved from the fearful results of delusion.

4, We desire to enlighten the public mind and to afford a just Understanding of the relative claims of the Bible and of Univ-rsalism by holding them up in contrast. We have learnt, as every student of the system will learn, that it is a system of duplicity. They use Scriptural and theological phrases and terms with an occult and new coined idea — the terms are Scriptural and those commonly employed among men, but their latitude of meaning is quite dissimilar. We have found the public, the learned and illiterate, and even some Universalists themselves, egregiously in ignorance and in the dark relative to the proper tenets of this faith, though many good hooks have been written in confutation of the system. How can the common people repel and confute the insinuations of this error, unless they know its pretensions and perceive the movings of its heart. To successfully foil the enemy they must understand the mode of attack and the nature of the weapons employed.

We have therefore, given their faith categorically, fortified with their own authority, in order that the reader may learn for himself the construction and position of their whole encampment — here they may learn the enemy, their discipline and mode of attack. The authors to whom we have had access, we have quoted directly, and to secure the views of others, we have been greatly assisted, in some parts of the work, by " Universalism as it is," written by Rev. Mr. Hatfield of New York. Thus we have favored the reader with a correct statement of their faith, its confutation by sound reason and the Scriptures, and the Scriptural authority relative to its own doctrines thus rudely pervert and unsoundly taught by Univer<alism. The whole is present in a condensed form, which covers the space of several volumes in books already published.

We were compelled to suppress one chapter in order not to expand beyond our intended limits, viz : the views of Universalists respecting Angels, good and bad, and the Devil, the leader of the fallen host. This point did not seem so important to us as the topics discussed, therefore this was suppressed in preference , to any other. Their views may be secured and a triumphant confutation of the same in books already published. We have given a short clue to their position and the argument of confutation in the last chapter of this book..

5. It is necessary to add another book to those already issued in view of the constant mutation of the system. Should the question be offered, u Why another book in refutation of Universalism V 9 The answer might be given, that it is necessary because of the changing character of Universalism, it is not now what it once was, and it is manifesting itself in new aspects in every decade of time ; therefore the arguments which demolished the former fabric of this delusion are now ineffectual and inadequate. As the enemy approaches in a different direction and armed with new weapons, it is necessary to meet them and contest the ground with suitable armor. Perhaps, the most material change the system is now undergoing is in reference to the doctrine of the resurrection. The unvarnished truth is, that they have no faith in a literal resurrection — the dead in the grave shall never awake to life, and honesty would demand, that the term resurrection should be expunged from their creed.

The number of volumes published as an expose and refutation of this dire delusion are able, and well worthy of perusal. " Universalism as it is," by E. F. Hatfield, gives a distinct portraiture of modern Universalism and every minister of Christ should have it. "Universalism, Examined, Renounced and Exposed," by M. H. Smith, is a forcible exhibition of the moral machinery and moral effects of this delusion. It should be read and circulated, for it will do good. The work of Luther Lee, contains a triumphant refutation, its logic sweeps over the rotten fabric of Universalism like a hail-storm. To learn the pitiable pettifogging of Universalists with the original languages and a powerful and clear exposure of the same, the reader may procure " Campbell's and Skinner's Discussion." A more modern discussion will be found in a book titled, "Debate on Universalism ;" by N. L, Rice and E. M. Pingru, at Cincinnati.

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\\ e add mother volume, that the reader nay have in ;i condensed form, the correct portraiture and refutation of this system. The people should understand it in order to spurn it from their presence, and to comprehend the arguments of its confutation, however dogmatically, adroitly or blasphemously it may be presented. This, the present work is designed to afford.

6. The prominent motive of presenting tl>e following pages to the public, is, to undeceive if possible, such as are already deluded^ to save such as are exposed to the temptations of the system, and to disprove the claim of Universalists, that the Bible sanctions their horrid dogmas. To save souls and promote the glory of God is worthy of the most strenuous exertions and the loftiest aspiration of man. In the midst of perplexing care and a multiplicity of pastoral labors, this work has been written. A thousand times diverted from the subject and after repeated interruptions, such as every pastor necessarily experiences, the work is uted to the public. All the sympathy and lenity we ask, is for the composition and the arrangement of the work, and not for the arguments- These we believe to be sound and such as will stand in defiance of successful confutation ; ibut if they can be overthrown, they court the severest scrutiny and the best logical deductions.

The labor and expense incurred by the writer shall be fully compensated, if the work scatter divine light in the path of the unwary youth, unmask this horrid and deadly delusion and vindicate the word of God from the false interpretation and deceptive glosses. We ask the reader to peruse these pages with candor, impartiality and docility. Approach the truth with an unbiased mind, and the truth will make you free. And w T e pray that Almighty God may pour his divine spirit upon the heart of the reader, and that wherever this humble effort of his servant may be circulated, the blessing of saving and sanctifying grace may accompany it ; souls be saved and reach the climes of endless rest, and God's glory be magnified on earth and extend parallel with eternal ages. N. VAN ALSTINE.

MODERN UNIVERSALIS!

AT

WAR WITH THE BIBLE AND REASON.

Chapter I. Modern Universalis*!, &c

" To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" Isaiah viii. 20.

Truth is immortal, though it may be hid from the eyes of men. Once it was read in mystic characters all over the heavens, and on the green earth, and in the curiously fashioned frame of man, and recognized in the strong impulses of the soul ; but now sin has so blinded the mental eye, and perverted the judgment, and seared the conscience, that even Revelation, with its blazing light and cogent evidences, fails to teach and guide the sons of men in the pathway of holiness. They neither speak nor act " according to the law and testimony, because there is no light in them." ■ Among the ever changing things and systems of this mutable earth is the system of modern Universalism. It is not now, what it once was. Many of the tenets Which were formerly considered of vital importance, are now rejected. Many of the principles which were once adjudged, by tlio.se

11 MODERN UNIVERSALISM, &C.

who were then call d Universalists, as anti-christian and infidel in their character and tendency, are now incorporated in the system of Universalism as essential and vital features. It is stated by those who have traced the rise and progress of Universalism, that the system as it now is materially, has existed only for the last thirty years, therefore, we call the system, modern Universalism. We wish not to state what Universalism was when first propagated by John Murray, who commenced his career in the year 1770, and then show its warlike opposition to the Bible and sound reason, for our object will be fully attained by proving that Universalism as it now is, is anti-scriptural, fallacious and immoral in its tendency.

It has been deemed by many that the best course to be pursued, is, to take no notice of this system, for it will sink into ruin of its own accord. However, we discover no deleterious results from an attack on and an expose of Universalism, provided, it is done in a respectful and kind manner ; leaving truth to combat error in a fair, candid, and impartial way. We know, that it is the opinion of some good and honest-hearted men, that a system so completely saturated with error, will soon disgust the hearts of men ; yet it appears to us, that in proportion as error makes its progress in exercising dominion over the heart; the will, understanding and conscience are corrupted and perverted, therefore the dissipation of error is the more necessary. With this view of the subject, there is so much the more need of clear light, of sound argument, and a thorough expose of the ruinous tendency of error.

There are many unwary and vacillating persons, who require the right way to be clearly pointed out, and every system of error at every point clearly portrayed, in order to prevent them from dashing upon the rock of destruction, or wrecking their bark on the roaring breakers. Let therefore Bible truth and heavenly principles stand out in their

M01H K\ MVI KSU.iSM, &C. 1")

native purity and attraetiveneiB, and appear in bold contrast with error and licentiouaiess. This may pavea soul from death and hide a nultitade of sina. And, no doubt, many among the young nay bus be saved from the snare

of the adroit Destroyer. The;e are unthinkingly exposed, and to throw around such the protection of truth, is a prominent design of the folloving ►ages. We hope, and pray to he guided into all truth ; to have whatever is dark, enlightened ; and in whate^ser is abstruse to be favored with sound discretion and exact discrimination.

What is the system of Modern Universalism ? In what does it consist, and what are ifa prominent features ? Is it Biblical, or Anti-Biblical ? These are important questions, and each prominent tenet of the creed of Universalists shall receive a distinct and decisive reply. The chief cornerstone upholding Universajsm, and on which the whole fabric rests, is expressed in) the following language :

All men must necessarily be finally holy and happy.

All their arguments and reasonings are designed to substantiate, and render clear jhis proposition. If this point can be proven from the Bible ar.d illustrated as reasonable, then their end is gained, anil th.3 opposite doctrine falls to the ground. In order to thbroujhly examine and sift this subject we shall show that lie proposition is most evidently embraced by Universalists by quoting their own language, and also specify the this tenet. We might take race without the possibilit point and dulcet theme of show, that we wish to take eascning they adopt to sustain t for granted, that the doctrine of the final holiness and lapphess of the whole human

' of a failure, is the skirling Jniversalism ; but in order to nothiig for granted, what may be proven, we "go to the lav and to the testimony." We shall only quote the language of such men as exercise the moulding hand of the denomination.

16 MODERN UNIVERSAIISM, &C.

The language of Abel C. Thomas, who is a conspicuous man among that fraternity, is, " The scriptures teach the doctrine of the final holinejs and happiness of all mankind." As proof he states, ' that God is the Father of the whole human family, because he created them in his own image." "He is the only Creator, and he never created any soul of our race in an However vile the offspring other image than his own. of ai earthly father may become, they are still his children. The relation exists independently of moral character, and can never be dissolved." Therefore this relation must necessarily result in "the holiness and happiness of ali mankind. What other, what different consummation wjild perfectly consist with the spirit of God as the Unitersil Father." Hosea Ballou says, " All agree in the main print, viz. that universal holiness and happiness is the great object of the gospel plan." The acknowledgment of these ,wo men will be sufficient, especially, since the latter is deemed as the father of Universalism as it now is. There is no pulpit of this sect but what has resounded with the cDmplacent declaration, that all men will eventually be holy and happy. The interrogation may here be proposed, when and where shall this final result be consummated ? On this point there exists a dissimilarity of sentiment and f3eling among the denomination. The Bible must not reveal this fact plainly as the final condition of the human nice, they themselves being judges.

1. "Whether it shall take place in death, as soon as a separation of the soul and body is effected, is a doubtful matter to those wise interpreters of the Holy Scriptures. To us, it appears, that to maintain consistency is the prominent reason. Since their principal writers and speakers have erased from their creed the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, pressed to do so by other anti-scriptural

MODERN UNIVER8ALI8M, cV I . 17

Views, ^nd have avowed the principles of materialism, and

that the soul must rest in an unconscious sleep in the state intermediate death and the resurrection; how can they therefore decisively know, whether the unconscious soul shall be clothed with holiness and happiness at death I That some may state their views, avowing immediate happiness, is not denied ; but the reason is not, because it is a part of their creed or verily believed. The obvious reason is to avoid shocking the common sense notions of the community generally, and not to expose their system to more ridicule than absolutely necessary to maintain their religious integrity. A certain writer says, " We do not presume to know that men by shortening their days upon the earth will hasten their entrance into heaven. As it respects the hastening of an introduction into another life by the shortening of the present, (i. e. suicide,) we would state distinct ly, that no particular speculation upon this point is any essential part of the Universalist system." After all, what a dreary and forlorn prospect does Universalism present to, its votaries while dying. It does not pretend to declare ; nay, it disavows any light or consolation to the man grappling with humanity's foe relative to his immediate subsequent state. Perchance, an unconscious sleep awaits him, or thousands of years of misery and pain*

1. But is the Bible so dark and undecided on this sub-» ject ? What scenes do the Scriptures disclose to our view on the Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elias conversed with Christ in reference to his sufferings and death ? Moses had been dead about fifteen hundred years, and Elijah had been translated to heaven about a thousand years prior, still there they were in conversation with the Savior in sight of three disciples, Was the soul of Moses in an unconscious sleep ? Is there any reason for " particular speculation ?" Is it "any essential part' 1 of reli^ious truth ? Does the caviler say, for aught we know his body had been raised, therefore he enjoyed final holiness and happiness ? This is bare conjecture, unsupported by revelation, or history, therefore unworthy of any confidence. All the evidence we have declares that his body is still sleeping in the dust of the earth awaiting the resurrection of the dead at the close of the gospel dispensation.

What says the Bible relative to the thief upon the cross ? " To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." Paradise is undoubtedly the place of holiness and happiness in the immediate presence of God, and there he had a promise of being even that day. He did not enjoy it as yet ; but he should be made a happy partaker ere the setting sun should give place to the twilight evening. His body remained on Calvary, a lifeless and inactive lump of clay ; while the soul had sped its successful flight into the Paradise of supernatural glory and peace, by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Could the Bible be more luminous and decisive than it is on the separate conscious existence of the soul, immediately subsequent to death ?

Again : was the apostle Paul established and satisfied on this point or not ? What is his language in relation to his own conscious existence posterior to death and still prior to the resurrection ? " For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ ; which is far better." Phil. i. 23. "Knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord ; We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2 Cor. v. 6—8. Is not this language decisive ? No sooner is a separation effected between the soul and body, than the blood-washed spirit mounts to the upper skies and dwells with Christ in the place prepared at the Father's right hand.

VODEKN UNIVERSALIS!!, &C. 19

I i.. in all we have said, it appears that the doubts and perplexities of Universalista on the Btate and condition of

the soul after death and before the resurrection, must originate from another sourer than from the Bible. They are

the natural fruit of the vain philosophy of their system, — and because the admission of a conscious intermediate existence of the soul, would strike confusion and ruin into their system of faith, they have no desire that it should constitute a link in their creed.