Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-04-28

and theory must now pass the ordeal of
proof-proof founded on well attested facts
before they are adopted as sound pillars
IN the great temple OF truth.
= OF this truth, the author of the essay
now before US, is fully aware. In accord
ance, therefore, with the true mode of
philosophizing, he has made direct ap-
pealto facts, on which to build his theory,
and by which to establish its validity. In
rearing up theory from facts, however,
II is indisputably necessary to understand
the character.of these facts, in order to ap-
'p-opriate them to fit place in the foun-
dation Of theory, that our theory thus rear:
ed may exhibit the utmost symmetry and
strength in every part. Or to speak with
out figure, if the premises from which
we make deductions are false, our deduc-
tons, although legitmately made from
these premises, must consequently be false.
If our author has assumed correct princi-
pies, from which he has made deductions,
and raised up his theory, then his theory
must be true, if his deductions have been
legitimately made. To examine his prem
Uses and his mode of reasoning is the OBJ
iect of this Review
In discussing the question, Was the
atonement made and completed in the
death of Christi" our author endeavors to
establish the negative, that the atonement
"toGs not made on CALGARY" The gen.
eral positions, assumed in this essay, by
the author, are l. What things are pre-
paratory to the atonement. III. In what
it consists. Ill. Where it is made. w.
What are its effects. Before entering up
on an examination of the arguments and
mode of reasoning adopted in this essay,
allow US to make few remarks upon the
general bearing and character of this ques-
ton.
Should the negative ofthis question: for
the moment, be admitted, what practices
Advantage would be gained over the com
mon received opinion Of the christian
church, Our author indeed remarks thai
bis view of the atonement "divests it Of
much of the difficulty and obscurity in
which it has been involved by mistaken
views" am yet to learn what these
mistaken views" are, which he rep
resents as involving the doctrine ofthe
atonement in difficulty aud obscurity.'
That mistaken views" are the prolific
source of difficulty and obscurity," in
explaining the doctrine Of the atonement
as well as all other Bible doctrines, l ad,
NIT. But, it is no more than justice to the
christian world, to demand OF an author
who claims discovery in any doctrine, tc
show ,oherein the results Of his discovery
differ from the truths already known )
and aohGt opinions those are, which he
brands with the denomination of "mistak
en- views"
Among the benefits to accrue from hi
mode of discussing the question before us
our author enumerates the following -
that ut shows that ample provision i
made for a general atonement, and ye
that many fail of its saving benefits througl
impenitence and unbelief" That is, re
pentance and faith are requisite to saliva
ton. Unless the sinner repents and be
lieves the gospel, he can not see the king
dom of heaven. Does our author inten
to claim the doctrine as peculiar to hi
mode of treating the subject of the atone
ment2 had supposed, that all orthodo:
christians embodied this sentiment anon,
the things to be believed. If our autho
can not advance any peculiar and creh
size claims to this view of the atonemen
then there is no great practical advantag
gained in this essay over the establishe
opinion, long maintained in the christia
church. There is no new principle dc
veloped in this essay, by which we can re
Sist the arch adversary of man, or lea
souls to Christ. To such parts of this e
say, as develop any new theological trut]
or any new mode Of analysis, or classii
cation that is reasonable and scri ptura
we would give our hearty assent even
that new truth in analysis, must, from II
very nature Of the case, terminate in Il
region Of mere speculation. But on Il
other hand, should we find by examin
ton, that our author has entered an aren
Of discussion wheretoo much Of the groul
has been hidden from his view to affo
him fair opportunity of displaying h
intellectual gladiatorshIp"-----shoud v
find that, in his Jealous contest again
J. some supposed mistaken views" he h
= adopted the fanciful and groundlessth thee
Of Taylor in Calmet, or plunged into t
deep abyss of Socinian error, then '
must reluctantly, yet solemnly, and fir
nj ly, enter our decided protest against Il
Is entire essay. DALETH.
L.