Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-30
81 Am Bold AlsO.v


Boldness of utterance best becomes the
truth. And of all truth most the evaugeli
cal. This is clearly the most defensible
before the bar of reason and conscience
We therefore like the tone of the following
from a late sermon of Rev. DR.. George
Leon Walker, published in the Hartford
Times
This evangelical system of doctrine, which
sets forth the lost condition of man, the
true and expiatory atonement of Christ, the
necessity of new birth by the Holy Spirit,
eternal rewards and penalties, and the whole
revealed and authenticated in an authorta-
tive Bible, is, as we all know, in many ways
discredited in our time. Sometimes the op-
position to this system relates to some par
ticular feature of 1.-THE doctrine of the
propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, or the
doctrine of the inspired character of God 5
Word, for example-sometimes to the whole
sweep and scope Of the system itself. The
expression, too, of this antagonism is vari-
GUS. Sometimes it is timid and sometimes
1t is aggressive. 1t is sometimes specula-
tive, and again it is emotional. 1t is ear
nest, and it is fippant. 1t is sometimes
within what is called evangelical bounda-
ries, and sometimes without. 1t is some
times individual, and sometimes corporate
and organized. .
Now, all these various forms Of doubt or
disbelief of the general system Of faith
known as the historical evangelical doctrine
Of Christendom are not without their effect
upon some, nay, upon many of that faiths
actual or nominal adherents. We see the
result in what have called frequent des-
pondent utterance about the defensibility of
what has been known as orthodox Chris
tianity We see it in the curious spectacle
presented at ordaining councils, where the
official representatives Of the churches are
surprised to find the candidate holding
firmly to doctrines which the manuals Of
those same churches indeed affirm, but
which their representatives have abandoned.
We see it in the solemn afiirmations at min
lsterial gatherings, that one main necessity
IN the pulpit's excepting up with the times "
is in being very alert to discover what time
honored opinion to throw overheard. We
see 1t in the suggestions of the public press,
that supporters of the effete theology"
will find it hard task to live and prosper
on equal terms with advocates of more lib
eral views. And we see it quite as signifi.
oantly in an unworthy timidity in standing
squarely up for the truths they really do be-
lieve are Gods revealed word, in the men,
bership of many church. 2
Now, respecting chief portion of this
doubt concerning the defensibility of our
historic Christian faith, the proper language
is kindly but unHinching reproof. You fear
that orthodox Christianity is going TO get
the worst of it in present and approaching
conflicts ? You fear that the substantial
system of belief known as evangelical faith
is to be disproved and dishonored in any es-
sential portion of it ? You have no right to
fear. Timidity or doubt on this matter arc
not things to be commiserated; they are
things to be condemned, ..t.
What is wanted is not consolation, but
courage. Do you ask why Look at the
past What form Of opposition to evangeli-
cal truth in its main outline and essential
feature is there to-day that there has not
been in days gone by 2 What weapon is in
its essential principle new in all the arsenal
Of unbelief The hands that swing those
weapons are the hands, indeed, of the living
present, but the weapons are old, and the
hands that once were broken in their swing
ing are dust, as the new ones soon will be.
Chaucer said, hundreds of years ago.:
"Out of the old fieldes AZ mon saith l
Cometh al this newe corne from we're TO yere
And out Of olde bookes In good faithe,
Cometh al this newe science that men lere,
And it is as true of the skepticisms of our
time as it is Of any other of its belougings,
the thing that is is the thing that hath been.
The great record-house OF Christian history
has its capacious alcoves where are gathered
the cognate views and speculations Of many
ages. There sifted and analyzed, they are
catslogued and put away in everlasting re-
membrance. And not an opposer Of ortho-
dox Christianity TO day, and not a specula-
tion adverse TO orthodox Christianity, but
may find his and its substantial counterpart
ticketed and pigeon-holed in those ancient
Rlcoves of recollection. Arianism, Sabellian
ism, Pelagianism, Socinianism, Rationalism
these are indeed musty old titles, IL may
be, but they are fresh as this springs new
cloyer-leaves in their accurate, description
of what vaunts itself as many brand-new
statement of Christianity to-day. Marvel
ously would 1t abate the swelling pride Of
many a modern amender Of our orthodox
Christianity, within the church and out o
it, could he but know Gas he might know die
he take the pains to inquire) that ~ 10 thu
substantial gravamen Of his difficulty anl
device, the church heard Of 1t and tired of i
ages since
Cease, then, desponding over the opposi
tions TO Christian faith. God lives. TIL,
foundation stone of his gospel are set to,
firmly even to be removed. The mortar h
laid them in is adamant TO mems picks ant
trowels. They win not be got out Of posi-
tion In our day, M 10 .rlt. 'r.
The sip Of man, the love of God, the in
carDation Of Christ, the expiation on Cal
vary, salvation by faith regeneration by tn
Holy Ghost, life and death eternal, divin
revelation. an abiding churoh-these ar
facts, and facts they will remain. Aud OF
the basis of these facts it 10 that God l
carrying out his designs aud the design h
has begun he will finish. II any stone al
tempts to block his chariot wheels, II 10 no
the wheels but ths stone that is broken. s
it has beeni 90 will it be always. .rl
Let US 60 into line with the incvitabl
order Of things. Let us anticipate the VIZ
tory by holding the truth that will conquer
lOl "For right Is right, sincs God Is God o..
e0 liL And right the day will win; t..
To doubt would be disloyaity,
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