The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-28
LIMITATIONS OF PROBATION

The AdUdnce would seem to be ambi-
tious of making several new departures
in regard to Probation, while opposing
the New Departure of Andover. In an
article on the subject, in its issue of
Aug. 10, it returns to the much dis
cussed doctrine to submit some consid-
erations which are novel in an orthodox
journal, and imply disposition to for
sake old landmarks in favor of more
extreme orthodoxy. We briefly note a
few of its points," which in many re-
spects are suggestive.
1t begins by statement of the doc
trine in relation to infants. These are
declared to be not subjects of proba-
tionary experience. DR.. Magoun and
President Fairchild, in the Bibliotheca
Sacra for July, are quoted approviDgly.
DR.. Magoun says:
Infants who die before any moral
action, are held by Evangelical Chris
tians, SO far as 1 know, to be saved by
Christ without probation" Pres. Fair
child remarks: SIN reference to infants
there is not word of revelation
Having thus provided for the saliva
ton of one half of the race, without a
systematic acceptance of Christ, and
without any inquiry as to how these sin
tainted infants, bearing within them,
as Calvin taught, the germinal seed of
all human iniquity, are saved by Christ
without a word of revelation the
Aduance next asserts that the remain
ing half of the race (which reaches the
age Of moral action and accountability
in this world, enters upon and COM
pletes somewhere period which de-
cides permanently their character and
destiny"
This is indefinite and unsatisfactory.
Our contemporary should inform us
where and when this ''period" is reach
ed. Perhaps we car aid it in reaching
conclusion. There is "period' men,
toned in the New Testament when the
condition of mankind is represented as
clearly beyond all possible change or
''vacillation," and where character and
destiny are decided permanently" 1t
is the period described by the Apostle
when Christ delivers up the Mediator's
kingdom, putting down all rule and au-
thority and power to the end that ''God
may be all in ALL There is no fixed
character and destiny for humanity
until that "period" is reached. The
AdUance has no authority for any view
of probation which decides the destiny
of mankind before Christ completes the
work of his own kingdom.
The Adudnce proceeds to expound
and limit its doctrine of probation in
the following terms:
Tt is agreed, also, that the period of
probation occupies but small part of
our immortal life. All experience and
observation impress us with the convic-
ton that character tends rapidly to fixed
ness. We have come to feel compare
lively little hope for the conversion or
reformation of elderly people, or even of
mature men and women. We may not
affirm that their probation is ended, but
we all admit that its opportunities and
hopes are greatly reduced.
If the Adrance saved one-half of the
race in its previous provision for in
fants, it now Professionally cuts off
large section of the race in these easily
written sentences. Elderly people''
and mature men and women" consti-
tute vast proportion of the unsaved
multitudes of mankind. If now there
is no reasonable hope for these, as sub
jects of Probation, the limit alton is one
which will have appalling conseque noes.
In view of the Importance of the case and
the number of people interested, it is a
matter of regret that our contemporary
is not more specifc,-that it does not
indicate the danger line of the years
more accurately. At what age does
'moral accountability" begin in YOUTH |
And when may we reasonably conclude
that the probationary period ends?
What "vital statistics" has the Adoance
to present on the subject? AT what age
does the insurable interest of Probation
expire? Or what are the risks attendant