The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-09-26
TIME ages have long speculated

sage given as the text. 1t is so very
enigmatical, so incomprehenslble ana
so inexplicable when taken out OF It's
connection that It is made to signify
any pre- conceived notion that one
NAV have of its meaning. 1t has been
made in the minds of many to IN
clude all which they find obscure and
reconcile everything for which in
their system they find no other place.
By some it has been made to include
a definite sin, an offense against the
third member of the Triune God, an
indignity growing out of naturally
perverse or untoward heart. To an
other It has a more comprehensive
meaning. The Holy Ghost is the
manifesting power of God. 1t is the
perceived presence of the creating
force of the world; the name OF that
by which we designate the immanence
of being to whom we ascrlbe our ex-
istence and to whom is due our devo-
ton. our alteration, our praise. TO
such it is sin against God, viola
tion of that which we recognize as due
to the Author of our existence. 10 a
third it is the pigeon-hole into which
is thrust all things strange ana mex
plicable. To some it has been maze
tn include the sin of those who have
been converted, who have felt the re-
deeming power of the Holy Ghost
and who have repudiated their exper-
ience as a delusion, and the author as
a myth. To others it is the refusal
to acknowledge the presence and the
influence of the Holy Ghost IN the
great religious revivals OF our time'
the disavowal of the presence OF
higher power in the frenzy, the en-
thusiasm of 1.-The spiritual harvest OF
souls.n to attribute such effects rath-
er to the operation of powers which
are not consonapt with the lovable
nature of God and the peace which
he came to inaugurate when he sent
into the world his only begotten Son.
1t has ranged over the whole scope
of disobedience known to human ex-
nerience. It has been the scape- goat
for very many of the troublesome and
knotty problems in theological DIS
cussion. It has been a godsend to
some writers on theological subjects,
while continuous plague to Others
It has enabled some to indulge their
imagination. to look into the night
and to behold spectres; to hear
groans and see the agonies OF those
who are the subjects of Gods unmlt-
ieated hate. 1t has, as well, de-
tbroned the reason and made men
subjects of morbid tastes and pas
sions. It has, on the one hand, fur
nished food for speculation; on the
other, poison for both mind and
heart.
Resisting the Spirit
Though there are very many ideas
of what specific, what concrete sin is
meant, the majority of the Christian
denominations are agreed that it IS
the resisting of the operating intiu-
ence of the new birth, the regener-
alton of the heart by the Holy Ghost.
Since Repent ye" was the burden OF
Christ's teaching those are guilty OF
this sin who do not avail themselves
of the means of salvation. 1t was
held as objectionable, since regener-
alton was necessary for salvation.
The Holy Ghost is the author OF the
new birth, the moving spirit in the
regenerating process. Hence that
man or that woman who bias
phemes against the Holy Ghost inter
feres with the regenerating process OF
the second birth, and since the minis
trations of this indispensable factor
are resisted or rejected, there is no
chance, no means, no possible mode
left for the sinner to find acceptance
with God. Thus when one spoke
against the Son of Man, or even
against God himself, he could avail
himself of the regeneration of the
Holy Ghost. When one repudlates
the Holy Ghost then every avenue OF
regeneration, or new birth, is block
AIDED; every chance lost and pardon
and forgiveness impossible. This is
delicately wrought out scheme. 1t
seems too bad, even cruel, to say a
word to attempt to invalidate so in
genious a piece of reasoning,-so
unique system, and yet it rests up
on suggestions which cannot besub-
stantiated. 1t is built upon pillars
which rest only on supposition, instead
Of clearly ascertained or plausible
facts; on evidence neither real nor cir
cumstantial.
We, being Unitarian, do not accept
the general idea of the Holy Ghost.
We do not think him the third