The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-25

ter articles are practically dead letters
in most Presbyterian churches Few
clergymen of that denomination. how
ever,will expressly avow this. Here and
there, however, appears one more out
spoken and frank than ordinary. Rev
William Kincaid, of Andrew Presbyteri-
an church, of Minneapolis, has recently
delivered series of sermons in which
he discarded the doctrine of "Origi
nal Sin" and Election" In his SER
mon on the former text he said: THAT
the scientific fact of evolution evo-
luton of the human species as we'll
as of the race-opposed the idea. Even
criminals" said he, ARE not in rebellion
against God. Their wrong is the result
of weak will. the effect of heredity and
environment, and not the deliberate
choice of strong will. The doctrine of
original sin is not found in the Bible,
and Christ never referred to it. God
does not and cannot impute to me the
sins of any man but myself. Inheritance
is not Sin, but sin is lawlessness, willfully
committed. What preachers would dare
to stand before Nineteenth century
audience and say. You deserve to be
eternally damned for the sins of Adam?''
II do not deny the sinfulness of human
nature, and thu need for forgiveness.
The law of God is written on the human
soul, and sin is the violation of the law
OF our being. 1t is only when we listen
to the temptations of our baser self that
we sin; when we are in rebellion against
the laws of our higher nature. Penalty
as we'll as the sin is in the man himself.
needed to punish man for sin. If man
neglects all opportunities to rise and
improves all opportunities to fall there is
no power in the universe to restrain him
from the results of his choice. But the
going down consists in the choice to go
down. God never damns any man. but
a man may damn himself. The momen-
tum OF the soul toward evil is the con-
demnation. l make no attempt to lift
the veil, but know that if any man
fails to enter heaven at the last it is be-
cause he will not-he will not. The Cos
pei of the remission of sin does not mean
the release from the penalty of sin.
Punishment is necessary for publication.
/ point to a present salvation from the
effects of SIM"
1t is interesting to note that Mr.. Kin
caid was currently reported to be in
tending to preach on 1.-THE Larger
Hope;" but as no such discourse has
been Forthcoming, the adverse comment
of the brethren in the city on those
which he did deliver, evidently dissuad-
ed him from it. The Andrew Preebyte-
rian church is located in the shadow of
the State University.
WE must again give notice that no
dependence can be placed on the Editor
for the insertion OF any matter not en-
closed to him in an envelope. Several
hundred newspapers come TO this Office
every week ard they cannot always be
examined promptly. If any thing ap
pears in your local paper that seems
worth reprintipg. cut it out, note the date
and the paper from which it comes, en-
closing it in stamped envelope. and
directing it to this Office. This will
generally insure attention.
The May Meeting is in progress at st.
PauPs Church as we go to press We'd
nesday morning AS one of the results
of that meeting we hope to have sym.
postum in our next issue, on Church
Prosperity" if the speakers will furnish
the manuscript of their addresses.
Our special article for this week. Mrs.
Olive Thorne Miller's pleasant talk about
the Nesting Time of Birds. is printed on
the sixth page.
THE Editor is under engagement to
attend the Minnesota Convention at
Minneapolis next month.