The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-10
q A CONGREGATIONAL JUNIUs.n

or tno North american ReUietD for July
make us acquainted with a remarkable
article in that periodical, which has
more than a passing interest for Uni
versalists and all liberal people inter-
ested in the remarkable changes which
are taking place in religious thought in
unexpected quarters. 1t seems 1--WE
quote substantial summary of the
article) that the Congregationalists of
America have new exponent = the
caustic Arthur Richmond, so called,
evidently a nom de plume - of the
aforesaid North american ReuieU. This
new Junius, it appears, is not only a
remarkable historian and politician, but
just as remarkable a theologian. A
while ago he addressed to Mr.. Secretary
Bayard the most sarcastic piece of En-
glish that has appeared in this country
for many years. A little later he de-
voted glowing eulogium to ex-senator
Thurman. Now, in the July number of
the Reuieao, his pen is turned to the
Reverend and Dear Sir" Henry M.
Dexter, the great light and leader of
American Congregationalism. This
time the letter is at once tender, eulo-
CYSTIC, oppugnant and critical; for Ar
thur Richmond claims to be Congre-
gationalist. Orthodox Congregation
alism,'' he says, is the creed to which
| was born, and to which, with every
new light and every added experience, L
the more devotedly, and, 1 believe, the
more intelligently adhere"
But this is progressive age" as
everybody hears on all sides, and even
"Old Andover," the iron-bound theo-
logical seminary of old-school Calvinism,
the sheet anchor of Puritanism, has
somehow slipped forward with such
frightful laxity as to hitch huke into
the new-fangled doctrine of future pro.
bation." DR.. Dexter thinks that is very
bad hold, and has censured the captains
| the Andover professors, that is-for stay
ing on board the ship of Congregational
ism-and yet sticking to that scaly and
dangerous rock, future probation.
Arthur Richmond says that, until very
lately, he has shared the good Doctors
inability to recognize the principles Of
honor and intelligence which permitted
the Andover professors to take the IRON
clad oath of our iron-clad ancestors, yet
to preach and to teach doctrine which
would have made every joint in their
armor rattle" But DIR. Dexter's own
arguments have unexpectedly led Arthur
Richmond away from DR.. Dexter's con-
illusions.
Calvinism," says the Doctor, " knew
nothing about the modern doctrine of
probation for men, here or hereafter"
Adam alone Yves placed in state of pro-
baton. He fell, and with him probation
ceased. God foreordained his elect to
everlasting life. They alone will be
saved. what possible unity of SPIRIT
asks DR.. Dexter, can there be between
this scheme of belief and one which in
wolves probation after death?"
But DR.. Dexter, while he holds that "pro-
baton ended4with ADAM" has yet been
constantly teaching probation, through
this life, for all Adams descendants.
Arthur Richmond points out, with terri
BILE logic, that probation following
Adam" is just as heterodox, according
to DR.. Dexter himself, as probation fol-
lowing DEATH"
But this inevitable end is made to
glorify both the old professor and the
new ones, and Congregationalism more
than all.
The Andover creed requires the pro-
fessors to open and explain the Script
ures with integrity and faithfulness," and
to " inculcate the Christian faith accord
ing to the best light God shall give
Them" 1t commands them 20 teach in
opposition to atheists, infdels, Jews,
Papists, Mohammedans, Arians, Peleg-
ians, Antinomians, Socinians, SabeIliane,
Unitarians and Universalists, and to all
heresies and errors. ancient or modern,
which may be opposed to the gospel of
Christ, or hazardous to the souls of men.
Now Arthur Richmond sees that this
mandate is so framed that its great gen.
eral principles annul it's limitations, and
justify the advance made both by Dr.
Dexter and the new Andover professors
Those Andover founders" says DIR.
Dexter's critic, were the wise and lib
eral Christians of their day, and God SO
framed their words that their iberality
overlapped their narrow consciousness,
and came down to this present moment
to enfold and protect their intellectual
heirs and assigns"
This is the theory of Arthur Rich
mond's article. How it will stand the
examination sure to be accorded to it
by DIR. Dexter and the chiefs of Con-
gregationalism, remains to be seen. The
article will doubtless create a wide in
terest and receive due attention.
The closing paragraph of this re-
markable article we may quote entire.
1t is bold statement of the fact that
Universalism is not to be considered
among the " banned faiths" and
substantial challenge to DR.. Dexter to