lief in the Bible, denying all its doctrines, and agreeing with infidelity in all but one point, he declined all further correspondence. It was announced in this country that Mrs. Sherwood, of England, had become a Universalist. A box, containing a copy of each of their principal publications, was sent to this lady by some American Universalists, which, however, much to their mortification, was returned unopened. When I reflect that the names of Evangelical ministers who were contemporary with the founders of Universalism, are still fresh in the memories and affections of all good men ; that those who have turned many to righteousness, can be traced back, through all ages of the church, to the time of the Saviour, and even back to Enoch; and then, when I know that the names of the authors of Universalism have already perished, though a half century has not passed since their works of darkness were begun-I am impressed with the prediction of the Word of God, "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance:" "The memory of the just is blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot." Psalm cxii. 6. Prov. x. 7. The I have by no means exhausted my subject. But I have said enough to exhibit the dreadful moral tendency of Universalism. picture is an awful one; but, Universalists being judges, it is too true. I tremble, as I review this subject, to think that once I was employed in extending this baneful influence. I am astounded, and overwhelmed, when I think of that display of sovereign grace that snatched me from such soul-destroying work. The wealth of the universe would offer no inducement for me to return to it, or lift a finger to forge or fasten the chains of Satan upon immortal souls. To give up Universalism cost me almost my life. So fatal is this error, so withering its tendency! It has brought down upon me an almost unparalleled persecution; but if this is the price that I must pay for lifting up my voice, exposing error, and warning my fellow-men, be it so. God give me grace to meet all in a becoming spirit! Like Paul, I preached error. Like him, I have repented. Like him, in some humble manner, may I be fitted to preach the faith which once I destroyed! The tree is known by its fruits; and wherever Universalism is, these are its results. You have seen its real moral influence; you can look and see what its results really are. By its influence men walk not in the fear of God. It carries no joy to the drunkard's home. It sets up no altar at the infidel's fireside. It makes no prayerless heart pious and devout. It has no benevolent influence, but opposes every good work; and good men do not need it to make them happy. When evil men trust it, they do so because it strengthens "the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life." Universalism is not of God. Would it be well with the institutions of our country if Universalism should prevail? Must not a system that holds out such views of God, of providence, and of eternity, be dreadfully licentious? Can a rational, immortal man, peril his safety upon a foundation that must fail in the day of trial? An hour is at hand-and to some of us it may be very near-when these questions must be answered: an hour in which deception can no longer be practised; in which earth's vanities will assume their true worth, and the fascinations of life no longer allure or charm; in which all of us will "discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that seeth God and him that serveth him not." Aged men, are you prepared for that hour? Where will your trust be, when your sun sets in darkness, perhaps in blood? Ye strong and vigorous, where will be your strength, when vigor ceases, and your Maker calls? Ye young, ye vain, ye gay-lovers of pleasure more than of God-who will hold you, who will guide you, when your feet stumble upon the dark mountains? O! make not lies your refuge. Under falsehood seek not to hide yourself. There is a way of peace, a highway of safety and salvation. Let me entreat you to embrace it. Before you again lie down to slumber, resolve to be a Christian; and let the earliest breeze of a coming morn waft heavenward your sighs of penitence, and carry up to the throne of light the joyful news that Satan has lost a victim, and Christ gained a subject, in the repentance and conversion of a sinner. CHAPTER VIII. UNIVERSALISM DISPROVED BY FUTURE AND ENDLESS PUNISHMENT. UNIVERSALISM denies future punishment. It teaches that the judgment is limited to this world, and that all which men need fear, is found in this life. It assures all who listen to its teaching, that the testimony of the Bible, in respect to a coming judgment, is either an Oriental figure, or has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem. Every evidence of a future judgment is an argument against Universalism. To establish it, is to overthrow Universalism, and present, in vivid colors, the danger of trusting its teaching. By future judgment, I mean not only the act of judging the world at the last day, but the results of that judgment—the doom of the ungodly, their punishment, and their changeless destiny. I mean, by the term, all that the Bible teaches by its representation of future punishment-of "the resurrection of damnation," "the resurrection of the unjust," of "casting the wicked into hell," of "going away into everlasting punishment.' |