THE ATONEMENT: AN EXAMINATION OF A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND REVELATION.
By ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
IT would be impossible to find a subject of greater importance, of grander scope, or of more thrilling interest to every human being than the Atonement. This fact is acknowledged by all Christians, however much they may differ in regard to other doctrines, or in their theories of this. In fact, the Atonement is the gospel. This being the case, a book on that subject, treating it in a candid manner, from a Scriptural stand-point, should be hailed with joy by all lovers of truth.
This book is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. We think that we run no risk in saying that it is by far the most complete work yet published on the subject. It is complete because it considers the Atonement in all its bearings, tracing out all the doctrines which spring from it; and since everything depends on the Atonement, the book is in reality a compendium of Christian doctrine—a Christian system.
Although the book is so comprehensive, the points are stated so concisely that it is not bulky, there being just 368 pages. Care has been taken, however, not to condense to such an extent as to make the book difficult of comprehension. We do not see how the great themes which are discussed could be more simplified. The love of God as manifested in the plan of salvation is a mystery that the mind of an angel can never fathom, and it is not to be expected that even the simplest exposition of the Atonement should be understood without the exercise of careful thought; but thought on such a subject elevates one, and brings with it capacity for increased comprehension. The mind expands in the contemplation of so vast a scheme. Such books as this are true educators. That our readers may learn the scope of the book more perfectly than is possible by any brief description, we append the following table of contents:—
Part First—An Atonement Consistent with Reason.
CHAPTER I.
Comparison of Nature and Morality.—Nature declares a God—Cannot teach morals—Did not make her own laws—Idea of the eternity of matter unreasonable—Natural laws no standard of right—Difference of penalties and consequences.
CHAPTER II.
The Moral System.—Reason calls for a moral government—Necessity of revelation—Infinite justice of God—Human responsibility—The wrong-doer an incompetent judge.
CHAPTER III.
Requirements of the Moral System.—§1. Sin ought to be punished—§2. Can the sinner be cleared?—§3. What pardon supposes—§4. What must be done in granting pardon?—§5. Voluntary substitution—§6. Why an atonement is necessary—§7. The sinner must accept, not make, conditions—Rights of subjects—Remarks and questions.
Part Second—Atonement as Revealed in the Bible.
CHAPTER I.
Principles of the Divine Government.—Attributes of God—His Law—Its nature—Ten commandments—Objections considered—Distinctions of covenant and law—Conversion—The fourth commandment.
CHAPTER II.
Sin and Its Penalty.—Dr. Barnes' View—Remorse of conscience not a penalty—Death the penalty—What is death?—"Punishment" not a specific term—Destruction.
CHAPTER III.
Justification Obedience.—Difference of justification and salvation—Righteousness of God in his law—Justification by faith has reference to a future judgment—Gospel a system of "naturalization"—Andrew Fuller on nature of the Atonement.
CHAPTER IV.
Death of Christ Vicarious.—Substitutionary nature of offerings for sin—Christ's death satisfaction to justice—Justice and mercy meet—Error of authors noticed—Impressive sentiments from Maclaurin and Dobney.
CHAPTER V.
The Son of God Died.—Why blood of bulls and goats insufficient—Value of the Atonement in the dignity of the offering—Union of natures in Christ—Methodist Discipline—The Word made flesh—Scripture proofs of the exalted nature of Christ—This divine Being died for man—Value of the law attested by his sacrifice.
CHAPTER VI.
Doctrine of a Trinity Subversive of the Atonement.—Trinitarians do not believe that the divine nature died—Their sacrifice only human—Distinctive being of the Father and the Son—Self-contradictions of Trinitarians—"The mystery of godliness"—Incarnation of Son of God beyond comprehension.
CHAPTER VII.
What the Atonement Is.—The Atonement is the work of the priest—Not the death of the offering—Made in the sanctuary—Blotting out of sin—Typical nature of the earthly priesthood, sacrifices, and sanctuary—Love of God provided the sacrifice—Death of Christ makes salvation possible to all.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Judgment.—Judgment of the righteous precedes the resurrection—"Judgment is come" (Rev. 14) before the advent—A warning must be given—Prophecy of Daniel—Sanctuary in Heaven—Days of Noah and last days—Probation ends before the advent—Judgment proves the value of the law.
CHAPTER IX.
The Scapegoat.—Distinction of sin-offering and scapegoat—Argument of Dr. Edward Beecher—A type of Satan—Binding of the devil—The earth desolated—Sin returned upon the head of its author.
CHAPTER X.
The Kingdom of Christ.—Erroneous opinions noticed—To be set up on the earth—Prophecy of Daniel—Saints are now heirs—Mortals cannot inherit the kingdom—Possess it at the advent—The two thrones—Work of the saints in the one thousand years—The meek inherit the earth.
CHAPTER XI.
Redemption.—Salvation and redemption—1. The redemption of man—the resurrection—Literal, or physical—Importance of the doctrine—A substitute accepted—Life the greatest gift of God—Death an enemy.
CHAPTER XII.
Redemption—Continued.—The original purpose of the Creator—2. Redemption of the earth—Promises to Abraham—Christ the seed—Believers are joint-heirs—Gentiles made fellow-heirs with Israel—The token or earnest—"The rest that remains," Heb. 4—Various authorities.
CHAPTER XIII.
Conclusion.—The new earth—The promised glory—Beyond our comprehension—All things new—Our need of God's grace to fit us for that glory.
APPENDIX.
Appendix A.—Justification by faith illustrated—Pardon during probation conditional—Death of Christ unconditional—Nature election—No personal or unconditional reprobation—Danger of losing our justification—Chosen "in Christ," not out of him—All by nature children of wrath.
Appendix B.—Christ, Mahomet, or Confucius—No vindication of divine justice in the Koran—Mahomet and Christ compared—Confucius a political reformer—Specimens of Chinese philosophy—Superiority of the gospel.
Love of God in Creation. Price, $1.00. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
By ELD. URIAH SMITH.
THIS work shows the nature of the mistake made in expecting the Lord to come in 1844, which was not an error of time computation, but in the nature of the event to take place, namely, the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The work sheds a flood of light on the Scriptures, especially on the subject of the Atonement. 352 pp. Price, cloth, $1.00. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By ELD. U. SMITH.
THIS work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book, and is designed to create an interest in its study. 416 pp. Price, $1.25. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Obituary.
By O. F. GUILFORD
LINDSEY.—Died of consumption, at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1884, Sister Lindsey, wife of Eld. D. E. Lindsey, aged 36 years. She bore her sufferings with remarkable patience and cheerfulness. She sleeps in Jesus, and a bright immortality awaits her when the Lifegiver comes. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Job 14:14.
O. F. GUILFORD.
Editorial Notes
By Editor
THE Editor is still absent in Nevada. He will return before the issue of another paper, in which he will doubtless give a more extended notice of the camp-meeting than appeared last week.
WE would call the attention of all to the notice of the new work on the Atonement, which will be found on the preceding page. Orders for the book will now be filled as fast as received.
IT happens that both our own lesson and the International Lesson for this week are review lessons. The International committee provided no lesson for the last Sunday of each quarter, leaving each school free to conduct its own review, or to insert a temperance lesson. In our own lesson all the points have been commented upon, so we simply print the questions, in order that none may lose the connection.
WE were made very sad Sabbath morning by the receipt of a telegram announcing the death of Sister Barbara Rice. For five years she served the cause in this State, as efficient secretary of the Tract Society, and also of the Conference. Not only the Oakland church, of which she was a member, but all who knew her, will mourn her loss as that of a beloved sister and a faithful Christian worker.
IT was our good fortune to listen, last Sunday, to a most eloquent sermon by Bishop Foss, of the M. E. Church. The text was, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:30, 31. The sermon was a brief but clear analysis of the four Gospels, their characteristics and purpose, and a powerful statement of the nature and character of Christ himself, and of the nature of his work. The "old, old story" was told with a vividness that must certainly have left a lasting impress on many hearts.
Camp-Meeting Notes.
By William Clarence White
THE work of preparing the grounds for the camp-meeting has begun, and from this time until the meeting opens quite a large force will be needed to get everything in readiness for the meetings. This will be one of the nicest grounds we have ever had.
The orders for tents, coming in rapidly, and the reports from several localities, promise a large turnout. The Oakland brethren have decided to camp on the ground, although it is quite near to some of their houses. We expect a large representation from San Francisco, and the Healdsburg people say they will fill two cars. There is quite a movement this year to secure good large tents, to fix them up comfortably, and then to invite friends and neighbors to come and enjoy the meetings.
One brother in Tulare County inquires if the reduction in railroad fares includes the Southern Pacific line. We suppose our printed statement seemed too good to believe. We were surprised ourselves to receive so general a reduction of fares. We repeat the statement:—
The Central and Southern Pacific Railroads, the Southern Pacific (Monterey line) and the South Pacific Coast Railroads, give a reduction of one-third fare over all their lines in California to those attending this meeting. Those who would secure this reduction must buy first-class unlimited tickets to the meeting, where they will be furnished with a certificate signed by the secretary of the meeting, which, when presented to the ticket agent, will secure a return ticket at one-third fare. The San Francisco and North Pacific Company will sell round-trip tickets from Petaluma for $1.50; Santa Rosa, $2.75; Healdsburg, $3.00; Cloverdale, $5.00.
Every provision that can be will be made for the comfort and convenience of those who attend this meeting. A restaurant will be kept at reasonable rates for all who may wish to board or take occasional meals. A store will be kept to supply provisions and fruits for all who wish to keep up their own tables. Lumber, wood, straw, etc., will be provided at the lowest possible rates. Arrangements will be made so that parties can have a safe place adjoining the grounds to take care of their own teams, or have it done for them.
HOW TO REACH THE CAMP-GROUND.
The San Pablo Avenue cars run within three blocks of the ground. The Market Street cars within four blocks. Those coming over the main line of the Central Pacific Railroad, will leave the cars at Sixteenth Street Station and take the street-car there, which will take them to the terminus of the Market Street branch. Those coming on the local train can take the Market Street cars at Market Street Station, or the San Pablo Avenue cars at Broadway. Those taking the Market Street cars should go to the terminus of the road and then walk four blocks north. Those taking the San Pablo Avenue cars should stop at Thirtieth Street, and walk three blocks west.
HOW TO GET BAGGAGE TO THE GROUND.
According to present rule of the railroad company, 150 pounds of baggage will be checked for each ticket and seventy-five pounds for each half-fare ticket. Do not give your checks to transfer companies or expressmen. We shall employ some reliable company to draw all our baggage at reasonable rates. If you are not met at the train by one of our people appointed to take charge of the checks, hand them to the Camp-meeting Committee on the ground.
W. C. WHITE.
The Best Time to Come.
By S. Brownsberger
WE have received letters of inquiry during the past few weeks from persons who could not come at the opening of the college year, asking whether they had better wait until after the holiday vacation or come as soon as they can. In my reply to such I have told them that the best time to enter is immediately after our California camp-meeting. During this meeting we shall have a vacation of twelve days, to give all connected with the school an opportunity to attend the meeting. As so many have intended to enter after the close of this vacation, it will be necessary to form new classes, and reorganize some already formed, so that this time, Sept. 30, is the very best time for those to enter the college who could not come at the beginning of the term. In fact, it is a more favorable time, in many respects, than the beginning of the term after the holidays. Those who expect to attend the special Biblical course, beginning Jan. 5, should have some preliminary instruction in historical outlines, to prepare them to comprehend more fully the work in the Biblical course, and to enable them to accomplish more in the short time allotted them before the close of the college year.
Indeed, it is very important for all the Biblical students to accomplish as much as possible in the study of the common branches, especially in the English language and general history, before the holidays, so that they shall be well in the habit of study, and can devote more time to the Biblical work, when it begins. Those who expect to enter at the close of the camp-meeting should make it a point to come in time to attend the meeting. As it is to be held at Oakland, it can be taken in on the way to Healdsburg without any additional expense.
We expect to see many from the Northern Conferences at this meeting. Though our attendance this year will be much larger than last year, all can be accommodated, as additional room has been provided for boarders at the Students' Home.
S. BROWNSBERGER.
Questions.
By Editor
It is and has been our intention to answer questions sent to us, but for some time past we have not answered nearly all that have been received. This has not been because of any feeling to neglect any correspondent, but some of these questions would require answers at considerable length, and our circumstances would not permit us to give them the attention which they seemed to need; some were received during our absence at the Northern camp-meetings, and they who had charge of the paper could not attend to everything of this kind—they had not time; and quite a number are received that have no name attached, and we do not know whence they come; such, of course, do not receive as ready attention as those that have the name of the writer. We have done and shall do the best we can.
Perhaps we ought to speak of another class of questions. They are questions of conscience, concerning personal duty, and they cannot be safely answered by any one who cannot know all the circumstances. In such cases we do not believe the responsibility to give advice rests upon us. We cannot consent to act as judges in matters which we do not understand.
A Good Resolution.
By Editor
THE Nevada M. E. Conference, in the session just closed, devoted considerable attention to "Christian perfection, and the means of spreading it." The committee seriously deprecated the existence of "irresponsible and independent 'Union Holiness bands,' who use means strange to our usages and economy, and teach dangerous and unscriptural doctrines, which lead to fanaticism and schism, and have already caused divisions, strife, and secession." They truly state that these people and their methods "bring reproach upon the doctrine of Christian perfection," which they think is taught with sufficient fullness in the writings of the fathers of Methodism. Accordingly they adopted the following resolution:—
"Resolved, That we commend to our people 'our standard' works, especially those of John Wesley and John Fletcher, on the question of 'Christian perfection,' and affectionately urge our ministers to teach and to seek for 'perfect love.'"
We hope that this resolution will be faithfully followed. If it is, Methodists will find that the "standard works" speak with no uncertain sound concerning the perpetuity and excellence of the law of God, and that Wesley and Fletcher taught that perfection can come only by perfect obedience to God's perfect will. We could name several preachers who should give these works an early and careful perusal.