From the above, it is clear what modern Unitari ans think Christ is not, but it is not stated what he

is.

Says another Unitarian writer, while trying to "Of that prove that Christ was not omniscient: "This," says

day and hour knoweth no man." he, "would embrace his human nature, if he had one; and then what? Why, he now rises to angels, no, not the angels, and from an angel he rises highThis certainly er still, and says, neither the Son. embraces his highest nature, above angels, and yet the Son in his highest nature, did not know when the day of judgment would be."*

Says another, "The power or wisdom of God was made flesh, a little above our flesh, a little above human flesh.” "The flesh came down from

that Jesus Christ is not an object of religious worship? and if those who worship him are not true worshipers, are they not idolaters?

* The writer of this extract is Elder Oliver Barr, a minister of the Christian denomination, formerly of Sinclearsville, N. York. The pamphlet from which we copy is entitled, "Truth Triumphant," p. 14. It seems that with all his sagacity he did not discover that he flatly contradicted the Bible. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, Now, if he possessed crowned with glory and honor." Heb. 2:9. but one nature, it must have been that nature which St. Paul meant, Elder when he said, he was made a little lower than the angels. Barr thinks that the Lord Jesus rises from angels to himself, but on the hypothesis that he possesses only one nature, he falls down from angels to himself, or the text we have quoted is false. But there is one way to avoid any collision with inspiration. Just get Mr. Morgridge to pronounce it "spurious!"

heaven and became poor." "That which died on the cross, human or divine, call it which you please, is worshiped in heaven." "We worship two beings, the Father and the Son." "The Holy Ghost is not a person at all, but is a power of the Father and a good power."*

We might multiply statements to show where these negative assertions place the blessed Savior, but the foregoing we think may suffice. From these statements, we wish to draw our conclusions in accordance with their nature and designs; and in this way we hope to ascertain the certainty or fallacy of the doctrine. We shall therefore devote the subsequent chapter to plain, logical deductions from the testimony and statements of modern Unitarians respecting their own views of the character of our Lord Jesus Christ.

* These are the statements of Elder Badger of the Christian denomination, made at Parma, N. York, in his discussion with the writer. Mr. Badger was formerly editor of the "Palladium."

9

CHAPTER XVI.

Plain Logical Deductions from the Statements of modern Unitarians.

In the following conclusions and deductions, we shall endeavor to draw such inferences as the sense most obviously dictates. We have no design to make deductions foreign from the design of the authors we have cited, knowing if we do we shall be contending with a man of straw.”

1. Says one of the authors quoted, " Jesus Christ is not unoriginated." From this we conclude he must have had an origin, and there must have been a time when his origin took place, consequently there was a time when he was not originated, and of course when he did not exist. The Bible gives us the origin of his body, that is, his human nature; and if that was all the nature he possessed, he did not exist before the worlds were made.

2. "Not self-existent." If he is not self-existent, his existence must have been caused by some being, and that being gave him existence, consequently he is not the Creator, but is in every sense a creature, and if so, is unworthy of acts of religious worship.

3. "Not immortal." mortal must be mortal. axiom that "whatever is, mortal is subject to death. Jesus Christ our Savior may die! Man has one

The being who is not im-
This is as evideut as the
is." That being that is
Then the deduction is,

immortal nature, and if Jesus Christ possesses but one nature, and that is mortal, he is far below

man.

4. "Not invisible." Trinitarians do not pretend that the body of our Savior is invisible, but He says, "Where two or three are assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Certainly his body is not in the midst of every little group of saints, and it is equally certain that his children know his presence to be invisible. Jesus Christ

"was God, manifested in the flesh," and we cannot divine how a visible being can fill heaven and earth with his presence at the same time. John 3:13.

5. "Not unchangeable." We understand that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Heb. 18:8. (See chapter vii. page 24.)

6. "Not ómniscient." If this is correct, he has to learn things beyond the reach of his senses, by means of foreign instruction. This is making him like one of us, who only know what we are told, or what we learn from books. This would render him very incompetent to judge the world, or say "depart from me, ye workers of iniquity," for his lack of omniscient knowledge, might lead him to err in judgment. And in fact, it would disqualify him for knowing the desires and prayers of his dear children here in the world.

7. "Not all-wise." Then he may be deceived, and led astray. If he is not all-wise, he must be ignorant, at least in some degree. Jude calls him, "The only Wise God, our SAVIOR.”

8. "Not all good!" low shocking is that sentiment. What blasphemy and irreverence of his sacred character! If this sentiment be correct, there must be faulls or wickedness attached to him.

9. "Not all-powerful." There are, then, many things beyond his power. He says he is the first and the last, the ALMIGHTY. He is said to be

If

the "wisdom of God, and the power of God." this is true, his power may fail in the accomplishment of his designs, if he has wisdom to design.

If our Lord Jesus

10. "Not omnipresent." Christ is not omnipresent, he is totally unable to fulfill his engagement to be with his disciples always even unto the end of the world. He could not be a much better Savior than Baal, when his prophets prophesied, and cried, " O Baal, hear us."

We now see by these negative attributes, where Unitarians place Jesus Christ. Where is the man of whom the same might not be said, that here is said of the adorable Savior? A being who had his origin lately,* whose existence depends on another: who is mortal, changeable—and in some respect not good, the Savior of this ruined world! Who could trust such a being with an immortal soul, in a day of trial and danger? Who could call on his name for help, in a dying hour, and say, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit?" Who could trust the inter

* There is an infinite remove, in duration of existence, between the origin of any being that has had an origin, and the self-existent and Eternal God.