The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-29
.Dangerous Doctrinos.u

Being unable to have special re
porter present last Sunday evening, a
our request Rev Mr.. Wilson ha:
kindly furnished brief synopsis o.
his sermon.
Notwithstanding the unfavorable
weather the attendance to listen to the
second sermon on this subject was
|, good. After briefly referring to the
previous sermon, Mr. Wilson said
that while Universalism restrained by
the infalIible certainty of punishment
and encouraged by the unerring assur'
ance of just compensation, it presented
Gods love as the great primary in
centive to action. Its great appeal is
in the language of Paul, 81 beseech
you by the mercies of God that ye pre-
sent your bodies living sacrifice, holy
and acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service"
People sometimes say that if they
believed trniversalism they would lie,
steal. cheat, il short, take their I'LL OF
sin. Many do these things without
thus believing. Even many who have
made profession of religion have in.
dulged in crime. But do facts justify
this assertion? Are penitentiaries
crowded with Universalists? No.
Rarely is one protesting this faith
found within prison walls. Why, If
1t is so pernieious, as some ignorantly
suppose? Those who make this asser.
ton do not know what they say Let
them be converted to the sublime and
heaven born faith of God 3 unlimited
love and they will not have any desire
to sin stimulated by it. While Univer-
salists have no goodness of which to
boast, in character and life they will
compare favorably with any other de,
nominations. Many admit this, and
say that this faith will do to live by,
but will not do to die by. If good to
live by, it surely will not damage in
any emergency. The great need is for
something good TO live by.
Assuming that God should prove
less merciful and just than Universal
ism represents, will believers In the
latter be lost for believing God too
good g? If Calvinisn is true what diff
ference, 80 far as mans destiny is con.
cerned, does it make what he believes?
If elected, he will be saved if repro
bated, he will be lost. If the common
doctrine of Free Grace is true, then
surely Universalists are at least as safe
as others.
The constant appeal of their faith is,
"now Is the day of salvation" ere.
pent. for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand" No prospect of pleasure in sin
encourages wickedness. The emphatic
statement is, " the way of the trans.
gressor is hard" "There is no peace.
saith my God. to the wicked" Sin is
hell.
1t is the expectation of escape that
encourages procrastination. Men have
been taught that there is pleasure in
sin, and so they say that they will sin
until nearly the end and then repent
and go to heaven. UniversaIism is not
responsible for this dangerous delu-
sion.
The doctrine ofGod's love unlimited
is not dangerous to either mental or
moral health. Who ever knew reason
unsettled by faith in Gods love? But
fear has driven many insane. Per
suade men that their dear friends are
lost beyond hope, and insanity will be
the frequent result. Let people inter-
pref the doctrine of endless woe in the
face of their dead, let them take the
doctrines right home to themselves,
and many will become maniacs, The
history of religious revivals contains
the record of many rendered insane
through the awful pressure of fear If
all who profess to believe in endless
torment would take the awful doctrine
home, it would be necessary to have
an insane asylum in every county.
One fortunate thing is that the native
God given faith is stronger than the
creeds. But while Orthodoxy tends to
sadden and madden, Universalism is
freighted with good cheer and bright
hope. Which is the dangerous doc
trine?
Universalism presents reasonable
Interpretation of Christianity that
challenges the respect OF pure and In
telligent minds. The old, unreasona
bic and unscriptural dogmas of total
depravity, e.ection and reprobation,
vicarious atonement and endless pun
ishment are responsible tor large per
cent. of the existing inf1delity.
The appeal of Universalism is that of
the BiOIe. 1t is expressed in many
passages. Paul thus stated it, For
the grace of God that bringeth saliva
ton to all men hath appeared, teaching
us that denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously and .godly in this present
world"
Mr.. Wilson said that he was willing
to have people decide the question of
danger upon its merits. He was sat
isfied that no intelligent, unprejudiced
mind would knowingly say that Uni
versalism is dangerous. On the con.
trary 1t is wholesome, appealing to all
that is purest and best, and constantly
exhorting men to present their. bodies
a living sacrifice unto God which Is
their reasonable service"
MANTUA.