The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-05-11
lFrom the New York Observer.1
The Gospel According to Dickens.

[From the New York observer.l
The Gospel According to Dickens.
BY TALBOT W. CHAMBERS, d. D.
In the little collection of discourses,
recently printed in a pamphlet by a
reputable minister in this city, there
occurs the following utterance:
''There is more pure gospel in the
writings of Charles Dickens than in
seven-tenths Of our printed sermons"
Such words show an astonishing
misuse Of language, or else bring a
most damaging charge against the
modern pulpit. The word gospel
especially when the term 'pure" is
prefxed to it, has come to have fixed
and well-understood meaning. To
say that man breaches pure gospel
is to stay that he does not proclaim a
philosophy or a system of ethics, or a
method Of gaining the favor Of God
by good works Of any kind; but, on
the contrary, sets forth full saliva
ton procured by the mediation of
Christ, and received by faith alone.
The chief feature of such teaching is
that it insists upon the sinfulness and
helplessness of man in himself, and
summons him to seek and receive de-
liverance as something gratuitous.
For this reason it claims the title OF
gospel-good news, because it is such
in the highest degree, offering what a
sinner can find nowhere else, and Of
fering it to all without money and
without price. Be a man what he
may, or where he may, the gospel
preacher is authorized to assure him
that he will be certainly and foreve,
saved, if he will only put his trust
once and for all in the Lord Jesus
Christ as his Redeemer.
Now, where is anything like this
taught, or even limited at, in any OF
Mr.. Dickens's writings? His works
abound in exquisite delineations o1
character, and inculcate various social
excellences in very charming way
They teach forbearance, charity, kind
ness, fidelity, tenderness, indeed most
of the affections that add to the COM
fort of everyday life, and do this
very effectively by presenting vivid
examples, often in trying circum-
stances. And so far as this is con-
cerned their influence is good. But
how far does this go toward reaching
the gospel? Not single step. Grant
Mr.. Dickens all that his warmest in.
telligent admirers ask for him, and
still there is not even an approach te
evangelical teaching. The whole
plane is earthly. The idea Of sin in
its true character is scarcely even ap-
pretended. If the entire sum Of the
suggestions contained in his best
works were put together, it would
amount to something like this-thai
all that is required Of man is to be
honest, kindly and true to his fellows
to help the poor, to despise mere rank
to cultivate cheerfulness, to cherish
every domestic and social affection.
The above is the commencement o1
an article in the New York Observer
It is only specimen Of the kind o1
teaching to be found in too many Of
the religious" papers, and in many
of the pulpits. Is it any wonder thai
most Of the sensible, honest portion
of the people are beginning to treat
religion with contempt? Is it true
that any such monstrous doctrine as
that is to be found, or even limited al
any where in the New Testament
just compare the kind Of Christian
recommended by this Doctor Of Di-
vinity and the kind he admits Dick
ems recommends, and then say which
breaches the purer gospel. Guiteau
the dead beat who swindled every
poor woman where he could sponge q
weeks board, and who finished by the
most cowardly murder Of the most
eminent man then living, is just the
style of man recommended by this
gospel teacher.
just hear this D. D.: "Be a man
what he may, or where he may, the
gospel preacher is authorized to assure
him that he will be certainly and for
ever saved, if he will only put his
trust once and for all in the Lord
Jesus Christ as his Redeemer."
Tom Mallaby was pure and saved
Christian according to this miserable
crank. Tom prayed loudly and elo-
quently at Sabbath-school, and then
went and robbed the house of Mr.
Alban. He did the same in Chilli
cothe, and then, while dressed in the
clothing which he stole in Chillicothe
went to Macarthur and carried on a
great revival meeting for one whole
week, until arrested by the officers o1
the law.
Give US the kind of gospel preached
in the New Testament, and by Charlie:
Dickens, in preference to the mon
strous and dangerous stuff taught by
the wild and crazy cranks who tall
like Talbot w. Chambers, D. D.
Con SWEENEY doggery, at Cedar
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