could hope that my learned friend might ere long read himself into that blessed Christian theology, which should find its spiritual affinities, not in the basest passions, but in those refined Christian affec tions which "bless and curse not." In conclusion of this brotherly review, permit me to express sincere regret that you should, in your labored and ingenious lecture to your own Christian people, commit these three essential errors: 1st. Representing me and my religious fraternity in a false light, in regard to our estimate of the language of the Bible. 2d. Changing the issue from principles and ends to instrumentalities and means. 3d. Quoting me in a snatch manner, to .give a wrong impression as to the point to which my remarks partially quoted were addressed. I believe that, in my extended review of your Argument, I have, in all cases, presented fairly the points to which you quoted Scripture, and the issue to which you argued. If I have failed to do this in any case it will afford me the greatest pleasure to make correction on being shown the error. And now, Rev. Sir, you and I occupy positions of great responsibility. Old human authorities are breaking up, and many people are as scattered sheep. They need to be made acquainted with the richness, and beauty, and Divine authority of the Christian religion. They are looking toward the Christian teachers, and when they see in them a disposition to trifle with the Scriptures, and with the Divine char acter, and to treat unfairly the arguments of each other, they are driven farther into their scepticism. You are possessed of principles and culture too high to design such things. But the strength of your denominational ties, and the largeness of your constitutional sarcasm, are a force impelling you. Will the great Father help us, that we win sinners, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. INDEX OF FOR the convenience of the biblical student, we frame this Index in II. Misrepresentation of the Universalist estimate of Scripture language, 491 502 |