Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

THE WESTERN MESSENGER.

PUBLISHED ON THE FIRST DAY OF EVERY MONTH.

I-OBJECTS.—To promote a manly, intelligent, and liberal piety, and a

faith working by love; to explain and defend the misunderstood and de-

nounced principles of Unitarianism; to be a bond of union for western Uni-

tarians, and a connecting link with their eastern brethren. Also, to aid in

diffusing sound views on literature, education, schools, and benevolent enter-

prises.

II. REASONS.-The Unitarian "sect is everywhere spoken against." Many

persons think that they verily ought to do and say things contrary to this

name. Others, more liberal, ask, "may we know what this new doctrine,

whereof thou speakest, is!" But there is no answer, We have no means

of reply, explanation or defence. Smitten on the one cheek, we must liter-

ally turn the other. The ear of the public is open, and the tongue of the

press, so far as Unitarians are concerned, is silent. We think the West de-

mands and will support such a work. We believe that there is a spirit here

which asks for LIGHT; which is testing received opinions, to determine

whether they are consecrated by truth, or consecrated only by time; listen-

ing to the apostolic injunction, "prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

III. METHOD OF CONDUCTING. The work will be conducted by the associ

ation of Unitarian ministers in the West. It will be published at Cincinnati,

under the special superintendence of REV. E. PEABODY. Local topics of in-

terest will be attended to. General intelligence, of a miscellaneous charac-

ter, will be inserted. New books will be noticed, and diligent observation

paid to such matters as particularly concern the social or religious condition

of the West.

IV. CONDITIONS. THE WESTERN MESSENGER is published monthly, at

Cincinnati, on paper of a superior quality, and with type entirely new.

Each number contains 72 large medium octavo pages, making at the end of

the year, two volumes, of 430 pages each. The subscription price is three

dollars, payable at the time of subscribing.

[graphic]

DIE EXCH 18 APR 1906

[graphic][subsumed]
[blocks in formation]

In our last number, we quoted largely from the most popular standards of faith, to show what the Presbyterian doctrine of depravity is. We shall now state some objections to it. If this doctrine meant only, that there is no man living without sin; no one who does not sin often and flagrantly, against the divine commandments, that in all men, and in every part of the earth, there is wickedness, and that wickedness often sinks into the darkest depravity-that all records are stained with accounts of crimes and vices, we should have no word to say against it. It is what we preach-what we believe-what all believe. The question is not, whether men sin, or are liableto sin. If the Presbyterian doctrine of natural depravity taught only, that man's nature was imperfect, there would be room for difference. Human nature is an imperfect nature, as everything created is, and must be, if the Supreme be the standard of perfection. About these and other points, there is no dispute.

Differences of opinion do not arise, till we reach points of faith that are added to these. The difference is about the origin of sin, and man's state by nature. And as we do not wish to consider a doctrine which is not actually believed, we shall consider the mildest form that it has ever assumed. All are aware that those who receive this doctrine, are by no means agreed among themselves, as to what it is. It has been variously modified in a long series of changes, from the assembly's catechism, down to the doctrine of the Episcopal church.

« EelmineJätka »