There was a council held at Neocæsarea, where, among other things, it was decreed, that none should be made Priest before he was 30 years old. A. D. 310. some erroneous doctrines in philosophy, refused to see the experiments by which they were confuted; and the observation of every day will give new proofs, with how much industry subterfuges are sought, to decline the pressure of resistless arguments; how often the state of the question is altered; the antagnist is wilfully misrepresented; and in how much perplexity the clearest positions are involved by those whom they oppose. "It is happy, when this temper discovers itself only in little things, which may be right or wrong without any influence on the virtue or happiness of mankind. We may, with very little inquietude, see a man persist in a project which he has found to be impracticable, or live in an inconvenient house because it was contrived by himself. These are, indeed, follies; but they are only follies; and however wild or ridiculous, they can very little affect others. ings of all the general councils, or synods, from There was a Synod at Antioch, where Samothe council convened at Ephesus Ann. Dom.satenum was condemned. A. D. 271. A sec195, to the long and tedious council of Trent, ond Synod was held at Antioch, under Aurebiwhich was assembled by Paul III. in 1545, and anus, where Samosa was condemned and decontinued by twenty-five Sessions till the year prived the church. A. D. 273. 1563, under Julius III. and Pius IV. " in order There was a council of 500 Bishops called to correct, illustrate and fix with perspicuity, together, at Sinnepa, where Marcellinus, Bishthe doctrine of the church, to restore the vi-op of Rome, was condemned for denying gor of its discipline," &c. fully demonstrate to Christ, and sacrificing to idols. A. D. 287. any one who will take the trouble to examine A council was held at Anegra, in Galatia, in them, that settling mysterious and inexplicable the time of Vitalis, where such as sacrificed, creeds, and enforcing human dogmas, have were rceived with certain conditions, and the been greater objects with Popes and Bishops, Deacons that cannot contain, suffered to marthan the cultivation and enforcing the moral | ry. A. D. 307. precepts of the Gospel. As proof of this, permit me to lay before the readers of the Olive Branch, an abstract of the doings of all the Synods and general councils, for 400 years, from the date above mentioned (195): "all of which are faithfully collected, chiefly out of Eusebius, Socrates, and Evagrius, and where they are silent, out of other ancient writers: by Meredith Hanmer, Doctor in divinity;" who translated out of the Greek tongue, the histories above mentioned. "The sixth edition corrected and revised, London, printed by Abraham Miller, 1663." It would be almost a waste of time, to read at large, the history of those councils: the result of their proceedings will be sufficient to show, that the time was spent very unprofitably; and my only object, in wishing them to be laid before the public, at this time, is, to lead the minds of men to things more important; namely, the duty of "There is yet another danger in this pracman to his fellow-beings, the only beings to tice; men who cannot deceive other, are very whom we can be, in the least degree, profita- A general council was called at Nice, in often successful in deceiving themselves; they ble. For," Can a man be profitable unto God, Bithynion, of 818 Bishops, by Constantine Mag-weave their sophistry till their own reason is as he that is wise, may be profitable unto him-nus, (Constantine the great,) the 20th year of entangled, and repeat their potitions till they self?" Job, xxii. 2. Concerning the moral Constantine Ann. Dom. 328. Some say, 828, are credited by themselves. By often contendprecepts of Jesus, there is generally no dispute. some other 324, in the time of Sylvester, Bish-ing they grow sincere in the cause; and by long For although the language, in some places, of Rome, where they condemned Arius, deba- wishing for demonstrative arguments, they at may be rather over strained; yet, when all due ted the controversy of Easter, laid down the last bring themselves to fancy that they have allowance is made, for the style of writing in form of faith, commonly called the Nicene found them. They are then at the uttermost that day, it cannot be denied, but what Jesus Creed, ratified the clause of One Substance, verge of wickedness, and may die without havtaught the purest, and strictest morality. To and wrote unto the Church of Alexandria, that ing that light rekindled in their minds, which love God with all the heart; and thy neighbor they had deposed Arius. [The time of the Ni-their pride and contumacy have extinguished. as thyself, implies all this, and nothing more. cene Council is generally stated. A. D. 325. HONESTUS. EDS.] There was at Rome, in the time of Silvester, a council of 277 Bishops, which ratified ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCILS. A. council was called by Constantine at Rome, in the time of Miltiades, to reform the variance between Cæcilianus, Bishop of Car- "But such pride, once indulged, too frethage and his colleagues. A. D. 311. Con- qently operates upon more important objects, stantine also called a council at Orleance, to and inclines men to vindicate, not only their remove the dissention risen between Bishops. errors but their vices; to persist in practices Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, called there which their own hearts condemn, only lest they a council of many Bishops, where he condemn- should seem to feel reproaches, or be made ed Arius, and accursed his heresy, writing un-wiser by the advice of others. Let every man, to the Bishops throughout Chrstendom, what whose vanity betrays him into the least degree opinions he held. [Arius held to the pre-exis- of corruption, consider what he is going to comtence of Christ, that he existed before all worlds mit, by forcing his understanding to patronize that he was the creator of this world, though those appetites which it is his chief business to he, himself, was a created being. Some of the hinder and reforın. modern Unitarians, are Arians, though, it is believed, not many. EDS.] Those men who can be charged with the fewest failings either with respect to abilities or virtue, are generally, most ready to allow them. At Ephesus many of the Bishops of Asia the Nicene Council, and condemned Arius, 'So much,' says Celsus, 'does the open and art Photinus and Sabellius. A. D. 330. [The THE MARK (Minor) met, touching the celebration of the for it. A. D. 205. soul. A. D. 213. There was a Synod held at Rome, in the time of Fabianus, where he, together with sixty other Bishops, removed the schism of Novatus, and others. A. D. 246. OF A WISE AND GENEROUS MIND. edgement is not altogether sincere; and that less confession of an error become a man conscious that he has enough remaining to support. his character!' "As all error is meanness, it is incumbent on. every man who consults his own dignity, to retract it as soon as he discovers it without fearing any censure so much as his own mind. As justice requires that all injustice should be repaired, it is the duty of him, who has seduced others by bad practice, or false notions, to endeavor that such as have adopted his errors should know his retraction, and that those who have learned vice, by his example, should by his example be taught amendment." DR. JOHNSON. The REV. ABNER KNEELAND, by divine permission, will preach in the NewJerusalem Chapel, in Pearl near Chatham st. to-morrow, afternoon and evening. Services to commence at half past three, and at half past seven o'clock, P. M. The obstinate opposition which we may obThere was a Synod held at Rome, in the serve made to confutation, however clear, to retime of Cornelius where Novatus the heretic proof, however tender, is an undoubted arguwas condemned. Another Synod was held at ment, that some natural prerogative is thought Antioch, where Elenus B. of Tarsis, Firmilia- to be invaded, since it could not be considered nus Bishop of Cappadocia, Theoctistus, Bishop as either shameful or wonderful to be mistaken, of Palestine, and Dyonysius, Bishop of Alexan-by those who thought themselves liable to err; The Rev. R. STREETER, from Portdria, were, present to the condemnation of No- nor would they struggle with such earnestness vatus. Another at Iconium and Synaders, for against an attack, that deprived them of noth-nd, (Me.) is expected to preach in the 1st Universalist Church in Prince street, next receiving of hereticts, after repentance. A. D.ing to which they held themselves entitled. May 24. I have heard of one, who, having advanced Sabbath. 295. 66 Report of the Committee, appointed to | Stephen W. Lord, draft Resolutions, &c. See page 7, col. 1. The Committee appointed, at a meeting of the friends of the Rev. Abner Kneeland, held in the basement story of the Unitarian Church, corner of Mercer and Prince-streets, Wednesday evening, May 2, 1827, have attended to the duties of their appointment, and agree unanimously, to report the following Resolutions. on Resolved, That this meeting highly approves of the preaching, conduct, and moral deportment, both public and private, of the Rev. Abner Kneeland, since he has been in this city; also the liberality of his sentiments, and the candor and open frankness with which he handles all subjects of investigation. Resolved, That this meeting views with extreme regret, the causes that led to the separation of the Rev. Abner Kneeland, from the first Universalist Society in the City of New-York; and believe that those causes can be traced to a few restless individuals, Trustees of said society. Resolved, That this meeting highly approves of the bold and independent stand, taken by Mr. Kneeland, not to continue any longer the Pastor of a church, under circumstances, in which he had been placed by the acts of the majority of the Trustees; which acts, in the opinion of this meeting, may be traced to the individuals, as moving causes above named. Resolved, That William Honay, Cornelius Harsen, Thos. P. Walworth, Wm. Durell and Abram Bogart, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Abner Kneeland, and present him with a copy of these Resolutions, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of this meeting; also a coPolicit him, in the name, and on the behalf of py of the minutes of the last meeting; and to this meeting, to remain in the city, until a new Society can be duly organized, and to give him the assurance, that we will use all due diligence to effect the same. WILLIAM HONAY, Chairman. THOS. P. WALWORTH, Sec'y The following tokens of respect, have been han ded in as volunteers. Notwithstanding the assertions contained in a supplement to the Telescope of May 12, 1827-We the undersigned, think it due to ourselves and to candor, to state to the world, that we have an undiminished confidence in the integrity, intelligence, and purity of motives, of the Rev. Abner Kneeland, and regret that his motives in any respect should have been so perverted, as to hold him up to Society in any manner or shape, which would tend to lessen his usefulness as a divine, or citizen. For ourselves we consider him deserving our confidence and support, and are determined to show our fellow citizens, that a deserving man is not so easy to be set aside, as some have imagined. Alpheus Simmons, Charles T. Hutton, TO SUBSCRIBERS. If any of our city Subscribers have not received the Olive Branch, they are requested to leave their names, &c. at the office, or with WM. W. MORRIS, Secretary and Librarian, at the Library room, back of the Bowery Hotel, corner of Bowery and Pell-street, where also Subscriptions are received. Items of News. low where he fell, and was found alive next morning on the opposite bank of the stream, after having remained all night in the cold and rain. He has now recovered. On Tuesday last, a little boy fell into the Delaware. His sister, aged 16, jumped in and caught him, but both would have been drowned had it not been for the timely aid of Capt. Perroteau; to whom the father of the children, Thomas Megrau, has returned his thanks. Intemperance. The victims of intemperance in using ardent spirits appear to be increasing since the statistics on this subject were published-societies constituted, &c. &c. This vice is not to be written down or preached to destruction. It must be destroyed by good example and early, education. Let the fashionable or rich champaigne drinkers begin at home. Nat. Adv. From the Liberalist. That God should have created any part of mankind for the purpose of inflicting upon them, an endless punishment, is utterly inconsistent with his nature. It does not comport with his justice; it does not comport with his mercy, neither doth it consist with his goodGreece. The latest dates from Napoli ness. Justice, when it requires a penalty for are up to March 3d. Athens was delivered the breach of any moral, or civil law, insists from the Turks. Two Greeks had penetra- upon that penalty having been known by the God committed the offence. But suppose night, and brought back a very encouraging had ordained the penalty of the punishment, ted through the besieging army during the person to whom it is adjudged, before he had report from Karaiskai who had just gained for the commission of sins in this world.— brilliant victory over Omer Pacha, and was a well fortified at the Piraeus. They also con- How could it be just? seeing that the pencerted a combined plan of attack, which suc-alty is not inflicted in the world where the ceeded: the Pacha suffering an entire de- sin is committed; but is carried into a state feat, with the loss of much provision, &c. which was taken into the citadel. The battle gave opportunity to another Greek heroine to distinguish herself. The widow of Gouras charged the barbarians at the head of her husband's troops, and fell like him in the inundated defence of Athens. of being to which we are utterly strangers, not knowing the mode of existence, not knowing how the punishment is to be inflicted, nor how it is to affect us? In order to make a penalty of that nature just, it must be absolutely necessary to shew us (not as in a glass darkly) but openly, clearly, and extensively, our future state, the mode of our existence, the manner in which the punishment The Press in France. The liberal party is imposed, in order that men may see the in France have obtained another most signal penalty in all its bearing, before they comtriumph, in the failure of the bill to restrain mit the offence-this is what a just lawgiver the Press. There is every reason to expect would have propounded, in affixing the penthat this victory will be the final one, and alty of endless punishment for the commisthat no more vigorous attempts will be made sion of sin-and had that been the case, to abridge in an important degree the free- should our Creator have unveiled to us the dom of writing, or to reduce the number of condition of our future existence, and imreaders. The feudal party do but betray pressed in awful characters on our undertheir weakness in making such attempts, standings-the unextinguishable anguish, and while they at the same excite feelings un-unutterabie horror of an endless punishment, friendly to themselves. The liberal journals and that punishment as much more painful, will doubtless hereafter assume a still higher as a spiritual being is more senitive than a and bolder tone. A son of Mr. Polhamis, of Marlborough, Ulster county, aged nine years, on the 22d of April, fell from the precipice of the falls at that place, a distance of two hundred and seven feet, among the rocks, into the creek, and was carried by the stream 200 feet be corporal one-had our God done this we. should then have known the full extent of the penalty, and have fallen down in his presence and requested him in mercy to have taken our lives into his own keeping, and save as the awful responsibility. But how is it according to the theory of orthodoxy ?-From this world some are taken the weight of his iron car? This does not from the green sward of infancy, and trans-instrúkt yun pèpl. For it is to Let timbril herp ä òrgan jan, planted into a hot house of endless punish- he yoh we must lok for éné hip To ràs he mélodé dévinment, before they have known good or evil, or have had the faintest glimpse of knowl- lík real improvment. Old pèpl He bosum soels, in glòin stràns; edge. What is this but the wrath of a Jug- er so avérç to évuré ħin hat has Jéhova GOD, ur Savyur rans. gernaut, who requires the torment of some he aperanç ev inovàìì, hat to unguiltless victim, grinding to pieces beneath durtak to čanj he praktiç ev fifté at all comport with the mercy of God; for milyuns ov pèpl, wil sem to bé suč his mercy is over all his works, and a being a Herkuléan task, hat wé expéxt of infinite mercy could not pour out the tem- but litl enkúrijment from hem.pest of his wrath in a perpetual storm of fire Wé hav rèзn to bles or sters, if wé Hen bé hi nàm, o GOD, adòrd! and brimstone, throughout the endless ħí of eternity, upon a poor worm that is crush-do not mét win á décided oposisi. Let hevn ä erħ hí pràs rékòrd; ment of existence is subjected to his control! But, perhaps, it is á hápé súr- Hro Krist, let bundles mércé din. ed before the moth, and whose every mo His plézúr, wil, ä púrpus wun, No; before a being possessed of the attri- Kumstanç, en he hol, ħat mankind & máк èl nàðúr hólé ħìn. with all the creatures that inhabit it, into non before him. M. Extend he nolej ov ħí luv; Mák év'ré hert obejéent prov; Frem sin ä vìç, he wurld réкlàm, As tréfés ov hí glòréus nàm. Wé fèl konfédent, hat in a véré dèrt Hen sal hí nàm hav endles pràs, tìm, wé dal mák yun pèpl, not onlé From év'ré sòl, in défiles làз; akoànted, but evn familyur wih Hen dal hí tròh ä luv bé sun, of the Universalist Society in Duxbury, Mass. his sistem ov ritin; evn béfòr há er From év'ré hørt, on év'ré tug. awêr ev it, unlés há er détermind O tùn yr herts for hat blest dá— to dut her is agénst it. Hòs ho In Koncert wil wé jan ħe lá; ħêr tation to supply the Socicties in Charlton and dá. Or suns à déturs, ho er ny Hoić saņxtéfis he human raç. Br. Massena B. Ballou has accepted an invi- er ny yun, er inkresin in aj évuré O giv us lit, to se hat gràç, ѣ. but ĉildren, if há liv, wil son bé INSTALLATION. Br. Calvin Gardner was installed, as Pastor on Wednesday the 11th March. Brookfield. Religious Inquirer. As ye would that others should do unto you; not that others should do unto you; do ye not unto others. Ye need no other law but this: it is the foundation and principle of all the do ye the same unto others: and as ye would rest. street. JUST PUBLISHED NEW SYSTEM OF ORTHOGRAPHY: men ä wimen; ä hoil fie formur Hoen dal fie nàñ3 God haħ màd, What would any one think of us, were we to say, for peace sake!!!" Should we be considered peace-ma shall add no more: for it is base to triumph over a fallen enemy. Books for Sale. Hoen á kúntré is furst inhabited, he ròds er ólwas windin ä Kroked. in substance, "We admit that we did lie, but we lied And for Sale, by the author, No, 80 Prince-But as he κuntré békúmз sétld, är peace sake! See the Telescope of this day. We and 12 1-2 cents single. A KEY TO THE must a wil bé stràtnd. Hoí, ħen, Price $6 25 a hundred, $100 a dozen, he pèpl inкrès in welh, he ròds by which the language is abridged at least one sod not he ròd to literatúr bé sixth part; and which children will learn in èxoalé improvd? one tenth part of the time that is now required in learning the present system: and by which in one week, a person of common capacity may learn how to spell any word by only hearing it accurately pronounced; and to pronounce any word by only seeing it properly written. Abner Kneeland, author of the American Pronouncing and Definition Spelling Books. The following hymn exhibits every sound in the English language; aud, of course, every character in the new orthography, with all the By variety of accented vowels; and was composed expressly for that purpose. N. B. The above work is designed as an in- sistem ov erhografé. Hes wil Sin to he Lòrd á nòbl son, OLIVE BRANCH. VOL. 1. || PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE NEW-YORK UNIVERSALIST BOOK SOCIETY "BEHOLD HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER I THE OLIVE BRV if Is Published every Saturday morning in the rear o the Bowery Hotel, corner of Bowery and Pell-street. TERMS.-City Subscribers, $2 50, payable in advance Mail Subscribers, $2 a year payable on the receipt of the first number. No subscription will be re ceived for less than a year, which includes one volume. C. NICHOLS, Printer. A SERMON, ON THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF GOD. The following is one of the eight Lectures delivered by Mr. Kneeland, at Philadelphia, in the Autumn of 1818; called KNEELAND'S LECTURES. (Continued from page 10.) LECTURE II. 4. I am to speak of the immutability of the purposes of JEHOVAH. 66 NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1827. IN UNITY." || No. 3. not alienated the affections of his Maker. That ing, we could not place unlimited confidence in the sanie love, and the same merciful disposi- him. But believing, as we do, in his immutation of his heavenly Father, towards him, as bility, that with him there is "no variableness, his offspring, still exists. This is all that is ne- or even shadow of turning," whatever he has cessary; and this is all that can, with any sense promised, we feel sure will be performed. "It of propriety, be meant by the forgiveness of is impossible for God to lie."(Heb. vi. 18.) sin. Forgiveness, therefore, does not militate It is on this ground that we place confidence in against the idea of the sinner's being punished man: and hence our confidence in our fellow according to strict justice. For all the punish-beings is only in proportion to the evidence we ment which strict justice can require, without have of their firmuess and stability; and also the least regard to mercy, must be designed of its being in their power to carry their good either to do good to the punished, or to prevent intentions into effect. evil; neither of which is incompatible with the Now, if there be any of the human race, to nature of forgiveness. But to suppose a pun- whom God is not love, for whom he has no ishment not designed to do good, or to pre- thoughts of mercy, and who are not included vent evil, such punishment is revenge, which can in the covenant or purposes of his grace, how only arise from a spirit of malevolence; and to is it possible, in the very nature of things, that apply such a principle to the Deity, would be we should place full and unlimited confidence an impeachment of the divine character. But in him, as being love, or possessing any This proposition is so self-evident, it is hardly all punishment, either productive of good, or thoughts of mercy towards us? If there be susceptible of proof. Immutability seems to be preventive of evil, must be limited in its na- but individual of the human family, who is in a property essential to the Deity. Being infiture; for it is succeeded by the good done, or by this pridicament, I may be, for ought I can mite in all his attributes, nothing can be added the absence of the evil prevented, which is know to the contrary, that very individual. to them or taken from them; and therefore equally good; because the prevention of evil is But perhaps it may be said, there is evidence they are not liable to change: hence he is un- good. by which the elect may be assured that they be changeable in all his perfections. And, what The selling of Joseph, by his wicked breth-long to this happy number, and are appointed is very comforting, he gives this as a reason ren, was wisely ordered by HIM who meant it to obtain salvation. But I may be permitted to why the objects of his love are not consumed. unto good, and therefore necessary to keep ask, in my turn, if there be such a contradic"I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye much people alive. The keeping much people tion in the character of God, on what evidence sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Mal. iii. alive was the good done. And the destruction can I rely? 6.) "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all of that very people, who were thus kept alive, I will suppose that you are under the domin my pleasure." (Isa. xlvi. 10.) "The counsel was the evil prevented. So the most afflictive ion of a king, whose laws, you know that not of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of dispensations in divine providence, we are of only you, but all the rest of his subjects, have his heart to all generations" (Ps xxxiii. 11.) ten brought to see, are nothing more than bles-transgressed; and you also know, uotwithstandThe above passages, though few out of many sings in disguise. Good old Jacob was led to ing there is much said about his sovereign and that might be quoted to the same effect, are say, "All these things are against me!" Yet all-conquering grace, that he has predetermined sufficient to prove that God is immutable in his how comfortable was the evening or close of to bestow that grace only on a very few, and nature, in his purposes, and in all his ways. his life made by that very son whom he thought that all the remainder are consigned over to Hence his love and affection towards his crea- had been torn in pieces by wild beasts. And irremediable wo and misery; would you, in tures cannot be weakened, much less destroyed, shall we one day hear our spiritual Joseph, even such a case, be satisfied with any evidence, as by sin; neither can it be strengthened, much JESUS, say, not only to us, but to all his breth-coming from him, that he meant to do any betless produced, by the sinner's forsaking his sin ren, as sinners, "I am Jesus, whom ye, by your ter by you? I think not. and turning unto the Lord. The only differ- sins, have often crucified afresh, and put to an The objector may still say, as an apology for ence there is, is altogether in the creature, and open shame; but now be not angry nor grieved the character of this king, that he has promised not in the Creator. The sinner, while in a with yourselves that ye did it, for ye indeed to forgive all who repent and turn to perfect a state of sin, does not, nay, cannot, enjoy the meant it unto evil, but God meant it unto good, obedience: the subjects, therefore, have onl love of God. Sin beclouds his understanding, even your salvation, for I have died that ye to repent, and return to their allegiance, and he and he sees his Maker through a false medium. might live ?" Yes, methinks, this will be the will certainly forgive them; for the king is He believes his God to be offened, yea, angry language of Jesus to every ransomed soul. O, faithful to forgive all who shall faithfully rewith him, when, at the same time, this suppo- what emotions of mingled joy and sorrow, grati- pent. But here, in answer, the same difficulty sed anger is nothing more than a disapprobation tude and grief, must fill every heart, when they again occurs; it is the goodness of the king, of sin, growing out of real love to the sinner. thus behold their Redeemer, and thus shall hear and nothing short of a manifestation of that It is so with all good [earthly] parents. The the melting words of eternal truth! Sorrow goodness to the subject, which can lead him to displeasure which they manifest, on account on and grief, to think they have been guilty of sin-repentance; short of this, he has no power to disobedience, grows out of real love and effec- ning against the best of Beings, or that they repent: and the king, inasmuch as he has pretion to their children. should ever have performed acts so unworthy determined that some should not be forgiven, This will lead us to discover the nature of for- of him, or of them, as his children (for sinuing so he has determined to withhold that goodness giveness. Forgiveness, in imperfect and against the messenger of God, is sinning against from them, which alone can lead them to such changeable creatures, i. e. in man, may be a God himself;) and at the same time overwhelm-a repentance as he will accept. Here, again, real relinquishment of a punishment which wased with joy and gratitude, to think that his wis- we are brought up! absolutely intended to have been inflicted: but dom, his goodness, and his gracious designs to- It is perfectly clear to my mind, and, from hot so with the Deity. He changeth 101. wards them, had neither been altered nor what has been already stated, I think it must be Therefore, forgiveness in him can be nothing changed by their evil dispositions! pretty clear to all within the sound of my more than a manifestation of his unchangeabla All our confidence in the Deity rests in our voice, or who shall hereafter read these lecBature to the sinner. When this is done, the sin firm belief in his immutability. Did we be-tures, that every scheme of divinity which per discovers that his sins, however great, have lieve him changeable, or even capable of chang-limits the plan of divine grace to a part of man pleasure which he hath purposed in himself, spirit of the gospel; turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; Acts xxvi. 13. Every one that loveth, is bori of God. John iv. 7. Q. Will all mankind be blessed with this new birth? A. Yes: For in this mountain shall the Q. But will not some remain in a state of misery, to cry and groan to all eternity? A. No: For the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth, for the Lord hath spoken it; Isa. xxv. 8. Q. When will this be accomplished? ૧. kind, or admits into its system the idea that God is not equally good to all his creatures, (taking into consideration their different degrees of capacity) is founded wholly on a mistaken notion | of the nature and character of God: and his purpose, in showing no mercy to those whom Q. Can the will of God be frustrated? they are pleased to call the finally impenitent. A. No. For there is no power but of God: (a character, however, of which we have no ac- the powers that be, are ordained of God. Rom. Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of count in the scriptures,) may be traced to a xiii. 1. All nations before him are as nothing; fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat principle the most base and malevolent of and they are counted to him less than nothing things full of marrow, of wines on the lees, which the human mind can form the least con- and vanity. Isa. xl. 17. He hath measured the well refined. And he will destroy in this mountception. And did the authors of such systems waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out ain, the face of the covering cast over all peobelieve that God would in fact deal with all men, heaven with the span, and comprehended the ple; and the veil that is spread over all naas, according to their hypothesis, it must be dust of the earth, in a measure, and weighed tions; Isa. xxv. 6, 7. And all the ends of the supposed he will and does deal with some, would the mountains in scales, and the hills in a ba-world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; they be able to discover one good principle in lance. Isa. xl. 12. He therefore worketh all and all the kindreds of the nations shall worhim? No, I am sure they could not. And not- things after the counsel of his own will. Eph. ship before thee; Psa. xxii. 27. withstanding their blinded and deluded follow-i. 11. He doeth according to his will in the ers (as I must think them to be) sometimes have | army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the audacity or the vanity to tell God that his the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say throne would have been for ever guiltless, if he unto him, What doest thou? Dan. iv. 35. had left all mankind to perish! Yea, guiltless, Q. For what purpose did God send his only if he had left all mankind to perish! Yea, begotten Son into the world? more, if he had made them all as wretched as they believe he will make some, i. e. endlessly miserable! yet, I must be permitted to think that if they believed this would be the case with themselves, and should realize for one mo-gression and make an end of sin; Dan. ix. 27; ment its awful truth, they would think God to and through death, to destroy him that bad the be verily and infinitely the worst of all beings! power of death, that is the devil; Heb. ii. 14; None of the gods of the heathen, not even and to give eternal life to as many as the FaBaal or Moloch, were ever thought to require ther hath given him; John xvii. 2. such cruelty. The Moloch of the heathen. Q. How many hath the Father given him? whose image for a time was set up by the Jews, A. The Father loveth the Son, and hath in Tophet, in the valley of the son of Hinnom, given all things into his hand; John iii. 35. where they made their innocent infants to pass He hath given him power over all flesh; John through the fire, could be fully satisfied, as they xvii. 2. He hath said, unto him, Thou art my supposed, with the momentary sufferings of Son; this day have I begotten thee; ask of me these innocent victims: but the Moloch of the and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inChristians requires the misery of millions inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth another world: yea, more, when they have suf- for thy possession; Psa. ii. 8. He shall have fered ever so long, for millions and millions of dominion also from sea to sea; and from the years, his wrath is no nearer appeased! He still rivers unto the ends of the earth. Psa. Ixx. 8. requires just as much misery as ever!!! Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him; Psa. Ixii. 17. O, ye blinded Christians! Say not that I have misrepresented the character of the Being ye profess to worship. It is but the echo and counterpart of your own preachers; only put in different language. A. God sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world; 1 John iv. 14; to destroy the works A. When the ransomed of the Lord shall of the devil; 1 John iii. 8; and to save that return and come to Zion with songs and everwhich was lost; Matt. xviii. 11 ; to finish trans-lasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away; Isa. xxxv. 10. Q. What is eternal life? A. This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent; John xvii. S. Q. Will all mankind be blessed with the knowledge of God? from the least to the greatest. For I will be But I will dwell upon this horrible picture no longer i. e. at present; and if any thing has been said which is thought to savour of a want A. Yes: for they shall not teach every man of friendship towards any class of people, I can his neighbour, and every man his brother, sayassure them that no such thing has been inten-ing, Know the Lord; for all shall know him ded. I do really believe that the creeds of men, still followed by a large majority of the Christian world, contain within themselves fundamental errors; and it is only for the sake of undeceiving those who have been deceived by them, that I use this great plainness of speech. I say, followed, rather than believed; for there are many who follow those creeds, and aid in supporting the abettors of them, because they A. Yes: For all that the Father hath given are popular, or from some other cause, best to me, shall come to me; and him that cometh known to themselves, of whose understandings to me I will in no wise cast out: for I came I have too good an opinion to suppose they be-down from heaven, not to do mine own will, lieve them. (Concluded in our next.) Serions and important questions, answered Q. But Christ saith, Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life; John v. 40. Will they all ever come and receive eternal life in him? but the will of him that sent me; and this is vi. 37-39. Q. Who are the ransomed of the Lord? A. All mankind: For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time; 1 Tim. ii. 5, 6. Q. But will not some be punished with endless or eternal death? A. No: For the Lord will swallow up death in victory; Isa. xxv. 8.-The last enemy shall be destroyed, death; 1 Cor. xv. 26. Q. When will death be swallowed up in victory? A. When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on Immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying, that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death! where is thy sting? Ở grave! where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15, 54, and 57. Q. Will not some remain in a state of enmity against God, and in opposition to his will and government, and blaspheme his holy name to all eternity? A. No: For thus saith the Lord, I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth, righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear, surely shall say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength; Isa. xlv. 23, 24. And thus saith St. John the divine, Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever; Rev. v. 13. Q. Will all the promises ever be fulfilled? A. Yes: For God is not a man, that he should lie, neither is he the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it? hath he spoken and shall he not make it Q. Can any enjoy the kingdom of God ex-good? Num. xxiii. 19. cept they are born again? Q. Will not the unbelief of some exclude A. No: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, ex-them for ever from the enjoyment of these Answer. That all men should be saved, and cept a man be born again, he cannot see the promises? come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim.kingdom of God; John iii. 3. ii. 4. And having made known unto us the Q. What is the new birth mystery of his will, according to his good A. Being born into the glorious liberty and out effect? God forbid; yea, let God be true A. No: For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God with 1 |