, 1880-06-27
CALVNISM REPUDIATED.

ADAMS, or ROCHESTER,, n T.
4 few weeks ago the Rev. Nyron Adams,
pastor Of the Plymouth Congregational Church
of Rochester, n. T., delivered sermon which
created no little stir in religious circles through
cut the State- The sentiments uttered were re-
gurdcd as extremely radical coming from any
qnartcr, but emanating from the pastor Of one
OF tho most prominent Congregational churches
in the country, it was something like bomb
shell in the camp of the Evangelical Christians.
At the time Of its delivery brief synopsis was
teleg1aphed by the Associated Press The local
press endeavored to procure the manuscript in
orucr to give the full te1t, but tho preacher was
unwilling at the time to have it published, as he
deprecated the excitement and opposition it
would be likely to stir up among the evangelical
clergy Of Rochester and elsewhere.
But Notwithstanding his reticence In this re-
spect the excitement has been very great and
widespread Letters have poured in from all
which contain assurances OF profound sympa-
thy with and thnnkfulpess for such q vigorous
and outspoken utternnce.
me IRInUSE's Rochester correspondent had
eaen only the brief synopsis OF the sermon In
the papers mot being present to hear it de-
hyered) until few days ago, when he Was per-
begs to say that 1t SO far exceeds the very
meagre report, both in power and radicalism,
that he ar once determined to secure the sermon
+ possible for publication. After some per-
Euasion and argument Mr. Adams consented
The sermon made an exceedingly profound
sensation. and since its delivery has formed the
theme Of numerous discourses by parties In
Rochester and elsewhere The Rev. Henry
Anstlce, D. D., of St Luke's Episcopal Church.
Of Rochester, and the Rev. Edward ?. Adams, Of
TIE First Presbyterian Church. Of Dunkirk, n.
F., brother Of the Rev. Myron Adams, have also
renounced the Calyinistic belief In the doctrine
Of hell and eternal punishment
Albums: ds - ' -'> -1' -
lie. love be without Discrimination. Abhoe that
which is eyil.-Ilo0l. iii, 3.
II man should profess to have character OF
Lore, and at the same time should prac0ce mAn~
fest crueltles, We might well conclude that his
love Is simulated and unreal His acts speak
louder than his words; acts always do speak
Suppose we say OF God that He is holy, Just,
md good: and then declare in unmtstakabie
terms that it is il His heart TO practice cruel
he$,-cruelties that are even of 1u1n1t extent
md duration. Virtually, then we say OF crlei-
ties that they are holy, just, and good But IN
nat way we defy something that is s. en- n NOV NOV
Ne not to deify evil. but to abhor It, and, no
matter what place it may have In popular
thought or religious literature, all the same are
We to abhor it.
.-Aquestion now much discussed P1o and con
= this: Is Christianity in state OF decadencef
Yes, and it is easy for the apologists Of Chris.
danity to say mo-; and 1t IL considered. NOT
difficult to gather statistics in support OF either
Christianity was never in so healthy and pros
porous condition rs it is to-day But the no.
aon has taken some bold OF many tnougnt2u u
people, in the Church and out Of it. that sucn
aoqueuce is sort Of whisuing to keep up cour-
tge in the dark. Figures gathered from par
nsan standpoint are very dubious means or en-
dghtenment, and people suspect that there lS
more rose-water than arithmetic or supstantiat
lHct in those statements, SO commonly ana even
earnestly made, TINT Christianity as now e1-
bounded Is marching steadily and swiftly 70 tne
conquest Of the world. While. on the other
hand, the assailants Of Christianity are crcdlted
With an animosity toward 1t which strains their
calculations out Of anything like true propor-
hons
Let us first premise that there is nothing
knocking necessarily or ant1-ScFlptuFa, Or
which need offend or stumble any earnest Cnils-
nan. In the idea Of the decsdence OF Chr1st1anits'
iced, 1t is pruphetically announced IN me new
Testament that the day-or the time OF mo1al 1
Ind intellectual light or, In other ~otus. tne
Kingdom Of God-shau not come except inert
be an apostasy first, which falling away OR
9poetasy seems to have occurred very early IL
Moreover, let it once be settled In mind that
5enuine decadence can, under me wise uas1ne u
government, only happen to that Tnlcn Is un.
0und and untrue, Inherently ana az cause OF
apprehension is removed. II any Iaurcu or
s1her institution Is suffering By reason OF apos-
cadence follows as a matter Of the teaching OF
history, and as q matter Of course,-ano us oe-
cadence il its relapse from an error giving taus
Avery desirable opportunity for fe1ofna1oo
N ITSELF Now, guch a decadence, n loe opAuon
sf many in the Church and out ct It, Is at pres
ent in progress. .v.- f.
Says Edward White-whoso book. AIe IN
Christ" has made him celebrated IN potn aem,
4epheres and who has been mainly 1nsuu4HHtA1
a formulating the newly named doctrane OF