Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-04-23


hands Of a writer in the CONGREGATIONAL
isf, i'll which Daniel Webster has Sc.
down few propositions in the shape of
articles, which are intended ito exhibit
4 short summary of the doctrines of the
Christian religion" as they impressed
his mind. The document is dated Bos-
cawen. n. H, August 3. 1897, II is
thought that this is the statement which
be read tn the Congregational Church
III Franklin upon his being admitted to
membership in that Church. This is
no. unlikely. as the date of his admis-
sion was September II, 1907. The re-
cent Centennial anniversary of his
birth has 10 great extent revived the
interest in Mr. Webster, and this ''con-
fcssion of faith" will undoubtedly be
read by many people with interest.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
| believe in the existence Of Almighty
God. who created and governs the whole
world. am taught this by the works
of nature and the works of revelation,
believe that God exists in three per-
sons; this learn from revelation alone
Nor is it any objection to this belief
that cannot comprehend how one can
be three or three one. hold it my du-
ty to believe, net what Can conpre-
bend or account for, but what my Mas
ter teaches me.
believe the Scriptures Of the Old
and New Testaments to be the will and
word of God. believe Jesus Christ to
be the Son of God. The miracles which
he wrought establish in my mind his
personal authority. and render it proper
for me to beiieue whatever he asserts.
believe, therefore. all his declarations,
as we'll when he declares himself to be
the Son of God, as when he declares any
other proposition. And believe there
is no other way of salvation than
through the merits of his a:Onemen:.
believe that things past, present and
to come are equally present in the mind
of Deity; that with him there is no sue
esssion of time. nor Of ideas: that, there
fore. the relative terms past, kpresent
and future, AZ used among men, cannot
with strict prOpristy be applied to Dei-
ty. believe in the doctrines Of fore
knowledge and prodestination a. thus
expounded. lido not believe in those
doctrines An impalrine any necessity on
mems actions, or i'll any way infringing
free agency.
believe in tho utter inability of any
human being to work ont his own saliva
ton without the constant aid of the
spirit of all grace.
believe III those great peculiarities
of the Christian religion, q resurrection
from the dead and day of Judgment.
believe in the universal providence
of God: aud leave to Epicurus and his
more unreasonable followers n modern
times. the Inconsistency of believing
shat God made world which he does
not take the trouble of governing. DR..
Sherlock
Although have great respect for 9th
or forms of worship, believe the
Congregational mode, on the whole,
preferable to any other. | believe re-
lieion to DO Il matter, not of demonstra-
ton, but of faith. God requires US to
give credit to the truths which he re-
veals. not because We can prove them,
but because he declares them. When
the mind is convinced that the Bible is
the Word of God, the only remaining
duty is to receive its doctrines with full
Of their truth and practice
them with a pure heart.
believe that the Bible is to he IN
dsrstood and received in the plain and
obvious meaning of its passages; since !
cannot persuade myself that book in
tended for tho instruction and CONVEX
sion of the whole world should cover its
true meaning III any such mystery and
doubt that none but critics and pbiloso-
piers can discover il.
believe that the refinements and sub
tlotics Of human wisdom are moro likely
to obscure than to enlighten the re-
vealed will of God; and that he Is the
most accomplished Christian scholar
who hath been educated at the feet OF
Jesus in the college Of fishermen.
believe that all true religion con-
sists in the heart and the affections, and
therefore all creeds and confessions are
fallibls and uncertain evidences of
piety.
Finally, believe that Christ has iru-
posed on all his disciples life OF active
that lie who retrains Only
from what he believes to be sinful has
performed but part, and small part.
of his duty; that he is bound to do good
and To communicate; to love his neigh
Dor, and to give food and drink to his
enemy: aud to endeavor. as Tar as IN
his power lies, To promote peace. truth.
piesy and happiness i'll wicked and
forlorn world: believing that in the
great day which il to come there Will TO
no other standard OF NEXT, no other
criterion Of character. than that which
is already established. by their fruits
shall we know them"