, 1879-03-30

-
To the Editor Of Th< Tribune
ROCHELLE, ILL.,, March 23.-ss Now, they say
that the persons who never heard Ut the scheme
OF salvation-the hcathen-will 20 to Heaven.
WhY, oh Cod! il there is one did you not keen
US all in Ignorance OF the scheme, that we might
all be cd!"-Luqerso!k
How eau our thcolosians answer this ques-
ton, and maintain the most vital doctrine OF
their Church9
God created man pure and without sin; but,
exposed to temptation, he 'tfell." In cousc~
qucncc, VT are born in iniqu!tr, and are "total-
IL depraycd." Our punishment for our Sill is
.'eternal torment"
But God, to redeem the world, sent "His
only begotten Son''; aud she that belicvcth
shall be saved, but he that beIeveth not shall be
damned"
This, in brief, is the history of the "lal,'' and
Gods plan Of saIVation. The vlcarlous atone
1nent and the necessity Of belief IN Christ are
the fundamental principles which underlie
Christianity. and from this source emanate all
minor doctrines and creeds.
Yet OF late Cannon Farrar, Beecher, Swing,
Thomas, and most OF the leaders IN the Church,
have expressed sentiments, prompted br their
noble sense Of justice and brotherlv love. ex-
emptng the Heaihcu and all on-Cnristian ia
tiOus from this terrible eternal perQition,
Said tue Rev. Henry Ward Beecher: The
doctrine that God has been for thousands OF
years peoDling tnis earth with human beings,
during period thsec-fourths Of which was not
illuminated BY an altar or q church, ind in
places where vast population OF these people
are yet without that light, is to transform the
Almighty into q monster more hideous than
Satan himself, and swear by all that is sacred
that will never worship Satan, though he
should appear dressed in Royal robes al1d seated
on the throne of Jehovah :. The doctrine
is TOO horrible. ! cannot believe it,, and l
| AL .rr +
| won't!"
Now, if the doctrine that all those who do
not .'profcss Christ" are lost, is too barbarous
tor good men to entertain in this age Of reason,
the question arises, How Will these reverend
| gentlemen reconcile their belief with the
| imperative requirements and professions Of
faith If tile Church which they still profess to
| uphold2 Can they convince minority that
Christ is essential to their salvation, when they
| concedc that 4 vast majority are saved without
| Christ?
Tie question. then, is simply this: Is Christ
necessary tor salvation, or is lie not!
| If The neatheu is saved without Christ, did
not God sacrifice " Els only begotten Son " in
| yain2 And what remains for the churches to
! build their faith upon?
o that we were all born heatheLs!
| If Ctnist's coming brought salvation " for
| faith, and =" "eterual punishment for doubt,
| when all would be hea1ilcns without Christ, and,
consequently, saved, then is not Christ the
| cause OF millions being lost and none being
saVeda
| If without Christ VIC would all be heathens
| aud moral life alone would secure to US immor-
! tai joys, what advantage has the Christian over
| the Pagan world!
If We can be saycd in China or Lapland with
out Christ, why can we not be saved anywhere
| without Christ. g..
| If all can go to Heaven as we'll without as
with q faith in Christ, then how can Christ be
Justly considered our It Savto7'' at all?
Alas for the sacrifice OF the Son by an Om-
nlpo,ent Father!
I But il the heathcn rs saved without Christ,
and doubt in Christ would send him to peroi-
| ton, why - give OF our means for tue spread
| and triumph Of the Gospcl''! and why invest
| millions upon millions 1or missionary purposes
| to bring to the "poor, ignorant heather ~ tht.
| ircbrund that may burn his soul IN an eternal
| hell?
| Why beg ssthe little offerings of the poor.''
| the Widows mite,n and the hard earnings of
the poor working,-ggirl and struggling laborer To
| be used for such a questionable ii not base
and terrible purpose2
| Why deny ourselves the necessarfes Of l1{e to
| sustain an army of missionaries to introduce
! upon those happy shores that most hidcous OF
! all human inventions, that terrible phantaslna-
I gora which now haunts millions Of poor de-
| Guded Christians during life and upon their
| deathbed, IN incarnation OF all that Is horrible,
living feud reigning supreme IN regions OF
| eternal torment, where q vast majority are
/ sure 10 go!
Go ON, noble and brave man! Utter the
true convictions Of your better Eatu-e, even If
the temple within which you preach topple over
| YOU. OrTo WETTsTE1S.