The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-22
.paugerous poctrines.,,


Last Sunday evening the Univer
salist Church was crowded with con
gregation that listened with an inter
est bordering on enthusiasm, to Rev
Mr.. Wilson's sermon on Dangerous
Doctrines" The text was Ephesians
4: 6. lone God and Father of all
who is above all, and through all, and
in ALL" No description can do full
justice to the discourse. The follow
ing is brief synopsis:
A little more than a century ago
church was born that was based upon
what was then generally considered
marvellously strange doctrine, that oi
Gods love unlimited. Calvinism, the
then dominant theology, limited Gods
love to the elect The doctrine of Free
Grace, however stated, came in cOllis-
ion with Csivinism, by denying the
old idea of Election and Reprobation
Yet, while it recognized the fact that
God loves all III this life, 1t limits His
love in the life to come to those who
have complied with certain conditions
here.
Universalism teaches that Gods
love is not limited to any aristocracy,
or to any age or world, but extends to
all men at all times aud everywhere.
1t dethrones a God of wrath and re-
vepge, and enthrones one who is the
Father of All We are all citizens of
a Divine Government to which we
owe allegiance. If obedient and faith
full, we receive all merited compensa-
ton. If disobedient and sinful, we
are punished with infallible certainty.
But this punishment is for the child's
good. 1t is educational, disciplinary,
and reformatory.
This doctrine of Gods love unlimi-
ted has made marvellous progress.
The Pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of Chicago gave an address at
the dedication of new Universalist
Church in that city Tuesday evening,
March 9th. He cheerfully recognized
the progress that had been made, and
said that the theology of Jonathan
had been compared to that
Of Joseph Cook, as Bengal tiger to a
common household cat" The best
literature of today is saturated with
Universalism. Yet this doctrine that
Is leavening the Christian world has
been branded by a new Trinity as
Is it dangerous to believe
that God is the Universal Father, and
that He will never abdicate His
throne? Is it dangerous to have His
character so presented as to secure
obedience to the first of all the Com
Thou shalt love God with
all the mind, heart, soul and strength?
Is it dangerous to believe and teach
that all will come out right? Surely,
this is what all pray for. Are their
prayers dangerous? 1t is faith that
all will end we'll that gives strength
and courage. Is it dangerous to teach
the infallible certainty of just retribu.
ton? What do good citizens so la
ment as the laxity in human govern
ments in the administration of justice?
Make it morally certain that every
crime will be punished, and fear will
do its most effective work. 1t is not
the severity but the certainty of pun
ishment, that restraints. Universalism
is mighty restraining power. because
it teaches the unerring certainty of
the penalty. Each soul receives full
and with God there is
no respect of persons.
Mr.. Wilson requested his congre-
cation to act as a jury and decide the
question of the moral influence of
upon its merits.
Next Sunday evening he will give
another sermon on the same subjest.
Ladies wishing work done for them
selves or their children, will find at