The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-21
DIR. HANS0N'S APFIR NATIVE.


Hanson led in sustaining the proposition
that the Scriptures teach the final holt
ness and happiness of all mankind. He
said, so many we're the arguments that
pressed forward that he hardly knew
which to select. He exulted to think
that he was to advocate the very best
that could be said, even of God himself,
that he is infinitely and unchangeably
good, and would do the best that love
could desire or wisdom devise, while
his opponent had advocated for his
idea of God the worst that could be
said of any being. His opponent had
confessed that he argued for that which
his heart protested against, while DR..
Hanson argued for what his heart and
soul approved. Mr.. Hall is the unwill-
ing defender of a doctrine he wishes
were false, and prays may not be true;
while he, DIR. Hanson, pleaded for what
he rejoiced in believing. His first argu-
ment was a fivefold cable no human
Str6ngCn cOulQ DreaK.
1. The WI, Purpose, Pleasure, Prom
use and Oath of God.-God in creating
man must have will, and it must be
a good one; and omniscient, he must
foresee all contingencies, and omnipo-
tent, he must overcome all obstacles.
ID God wills the salvation of all, 1
Tim. ii. So To effect this he sends
Jesus, who declares himself the requis-
lite means, John vi. 3S-40; iv. "a, This
is will of determination, such being
the force of thelo. (see John v. 81;
Matt. viii. 81 (2) Gods will shall GER
tainly be accomplished, Job xiii. 10;
Prov. xix. 81; Dan. iv. 1895. God
wills universal salvation. His will must
be accomplished. Therefore all men
will be ultimately holy and happy.
II. Its Gods purpose to save all
mankind. A good God must have a
definite, and a good purpose. Such is
his purpose. Eph. i. $40; Phil. ii. sill.
All things, in heaven, on earth and be-
meath the earth denotes heaven, earth
and "hell," hades-c celestial, terrestrial
and subterranean or Internal bein gs,
that is universal being, "all intelligent
beings" says Prof. Stuart, and as it
means voluntary, spiritual worship in
heaven, it must mean the same on
earth and among 1.-the things of the
world below" as the Revised Version
renders it. Such in fact is the meaning
of the word Confess" it is "give
praise" (2) Gods purpose shall be &C
colnplished. lisa. xiv. 81; XVI. 9-10; 2
Tim. i. g.; Prov. xix. 81. Whatever God
purposes must come to pass. He pur-
poses the salvation Of all-Therefore
all will be saved. Suppose we read in
the Bible that God wills and purposes
universal torment; would any one dare
advocate the salvation of any? Can
any one, then, say he will forever curse
any, when he wills and purposes the
welfare of all
III. % God must have a pleasure
in reference to human destiny. 1t can
not be in being defeated, but can only
be in the success of his plans; in effect
ing his will and purpose. His pleasure
is that all be saved. Rev. iv. IL; Eph.
i. $40. (2) His pleasure will be &C
complished. lisa. ". Sill; xiv. 8; lii.
1O-11; XVI. 10. God can have no pleas
ure in the endlessness of sin and sor-
low, but only in the prevalence of uni
versal holiness and happiness. His
pleasure must be fulfilled.
Universalism is sometimes sneeringly
called pleasing" doctrine. Why notf
1t pleases God to desire it, Christ to
labor for it, angels to rejoice over the
returning sinner, and all good beings to
pray and labor for it. 1t ought to
please all moral beings, for it alone
declares the completion Of the Divine
pleasure.
". God promises to save all men.
~ The pledge to Adam; (Gen. iii. Is;
James i. 1915; he renewed to the
apostles, Heb. ii. AIS; l John iii. 4;
and to all the patriarchs. Gen. xii. !;
xii. IS; XVI. A; xviii. IA. This uni
versal promise consists in redemption
from sin. Acts. iii. IA, Is, 25, 26; Gal.
iii. SIG; Acts. iii. 81. All mankind
are promised the Gospel blessing of be-
ing turned from iniquity. (2) That
promise will be fulfilled. Numb. xiii.
10; Rom. iii. ga 2 Cor. i. 20.
The affidavit of God has confirmed
the will, purpose, pleasure and promise
of God. Heb. vi. Is, 20; lisa. xiv. 1924;
God has sworn that every tongue shall
declare righteousness and strength in
him.
Thus what God pleases he wills; what
he wills he purposes; what he purposes
he promises; what he promises he at
tests by oath; and sends his son, the
requisite means to secure. This five
fold argument is cumulative. 1t in
creases like compound interest, yes,
in geometrical progression, it is in
vincible.
DR.. Hanson's second argument was
based on the Resurrection. The final
resurrection, as described in the New
Testament, is of all mankind to holiness