The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-06-26

ter and that LQe HelQ Is lu0 WOElu. w uSJlleF
the convert shall connect himself with this
or that denomination is seldom matter OF
conviction, sometimes OF convenience, but
more general of education: And when he
prays "Thy kingdom come he certainly does
not mean that that kingdom Is monopoliZed
i'm apy sense by the sect to which he belongs
The comparison Of the former days with
these in this regard is surely not discouras-
ing TO all true christian people.
x comparison OF the pulpit OF to-day with
that of a hundred years ago would open a
wide field for discussion which l can now
only glance at the long sermons and long
PRAYERS of the former times, the multiplied
divisions reaching often TO seventeenthly and
tWenty-seventhly, the classical quotations
and classical illusions which the common
people could not understand, the phllosophl-
cal and metaphysical discussions that were
equally unintelligible to plain people were
strlkngly different from the best lively, force
full presen tation of truth, the appropriate
illustrations, the prominence OF inc praGtl-
crisp clear-cut arguments which are now
heard from the various pulpits Of the land.
It is far better to have a little OF the sensa-
tionel than great mass OF the RryaS.dust dSGr oH
was filed. They didn't then have Guthrie,
or Talmage, or Spurgeon, or McNeal, or
even Sam Jones. That was real privation
to the former times Tor when lhey were not
better than these.
There are improvements in the doctrinal
views OF all our denominations that arc
worthy Of distinct mention. If the church
has not charged its doctrines. If that express
sion would be too strong, we may at least say
that notifications Of doctrine have been
brought about in IL quiet, lmperceptible way
that are manifest Improvements. Let me
tine the greatest OF the fathers Mt the first OF the
fifth century taug Int children dying in infancy
unbaptiZCd were lost. Ihat marsh rcpulsiVe
doctrine was the predominant one In the
church for more than a thousand years.
Even the Westminster Divlnes were tainted
with this old traditional belief as they clear
Iy show In what they say about "clect i'll
filntS"
Isaac Watts couldn't admit that unbaptiZed
Infants were saved, so ho wrote II book in
which he tried, by elaborate, arguments 10
prove that they were anniniiatod. hresDy,
upon them, that they believe there are infants
in hell a span long. And yet those who are
familiar with the writings OF the older thco-
logians cannot fail to know that they often
made statements from which this assertion
have ouotcl was n necessary and logical in
ference If they did not openly avoW this be.
lief But now the church has settled belief
about tliis matter Of the future condition OF
deceased children. II Is the accepted doc
triue OF the IrOtetant church that all dying
in infancy illrgitimate as well M those born
in lawful wedlock, criminals, hcatneii, ana
all outside the pale OIL tne cnurcn are saVed,
are taken to heaven.
Another thing which deserves the name of
q modification is in reference tG the use made
of the doctrine OF future retrloutlon: we
hold now as firmly as ever to this doctrine rs
clearly taught in the Scriptures, but now
often speak of 1t as McChcyne re-
with tears in their eyes and they
would WOO men to the Saviour by exhibitions
of the love and grace of God rather than by
the horrors of damnution. a sensible minis.
ter would now hardly preach the doctrine OF !
"hell tormentS," rs Edwards did in the last
century, while we all hold to the truth that
there is Il he:l, and that it is intolerable and
eternal. While neither CaiviniStS nor Ar
menians are willing to give up their views on