The Irish standard., 1899-01-21

mon are cooperating in the eternal de-
struction Of souls, whilst the creative
power of God establishes in Him pre-
eminence in malignity far beyond that
of the demon. From this book have
been taken all the proofs that were
deemed necessary to establish this dia-
boltcal doctrine. Calvinism, the name
of this theory, has had millions of fol-
lowers since it's inception. Fortunately
they in general had never had present.
ed them openly the malignity Of God nor
| the automatically pusillanimous degen-
eracy of man.
In the last analysis the doctrine
places God in an infinitely more abhor-
rent position than the demon. The lat
ter operates on souls already created,
whilst the creative power of God is
brought into action with the express
purpose of creating, that He might gloat
over their damnation. If you should
have the curiosity to enter ON the study
of this special phase of evangelical
Christianity, you have within your reach
the Westminster Confession of Faith,
and the catechism where the scriptures
are profusely quoted in vindication of
the doctrine. From this instance you
can easily gather the extreme latitude
of views Of those who compose the
great evangelical body.
Porto Ricans, don't imagine you are
Obliged to think thus of God. The fol-
lowers of Calvin today form a large and
most zelous contingent in the dstribu
tlon OF Bibles everywhere, and they have
relesated this obnoxious picture of their
creed to an innocuous dissuetude.
Now. citizens of Porto Rico you will
seek in vain for any doctrine, ordinance
or deliverance emanating from Christ
and His apostles which is not emphati-
cally ignored or directly denied by one
or other OF these evangelical schools.
Take. for example, the Apostles Creed,
and, with the exception OF the initial
phrase, believe in God,' there is not
an article which is not challenged, be-
ginning with the word Father whose
paternity is denied by the Unitarian: no
trinity, no Son, no Holy Ghost, as
forming the Triune God with the
Father; no Catholic Church. no COM
munlon Of saints-in word the only
expression that runs the gauntlet of one
or other of these 143 sects is the word
God, which can be maintained by rca-
son without revelation.
Porto Ricans, take this book.
whether it be of human or divine origin:
to you it matters not There is no OBJ
llgation on your part to assent to any
doctrine therein. Millions OF evangeli-
calls are with you, however great or lit
tie be the intent Of your faith. 4 be-
leve in God is all sufficient to rank you
among the immortal chorus of eyangeli-
calls. Can anything be more simple
than one confession of faith? We dis
sent from every doctrine propounded by
the founder Of Christianity, but there is
perfect accord in believing in one God,
which right reason would have helped us
| to had Christianity never existed. Our
faith is simplicity itself. 1t involves no
belief save the Bible, no compromise. no
burden to carry save the avordupois OF
this book, 1G ounces to the pound, St.
Paul says somewhere in this book.
Know ye that ye are not purchased at
great price?' He spoke the truth.
Your conversion has cost the American
Bible Society a pile Of money for each
convert, and you should be grateful. I
have whitfield down the terms of your
conversion to the little end of nothing
for your accommodation. We are all
agreed that your belief in God is all suf-
| fclent. Surely the human being would
be unreasonable to ask me to unload
further There Is nothing to be believed
In our platform. Take the book and
you shall be happy and shall be happy,
too, to be able to record your conversion
from Rome to primitive and vital
Christianity