BY L. W. MUNHALL.

I hail with joy, every effort made, by believers, to exalt the name of our risen and glorified Lord; because, I see more and more, as the days go by, the necessity there is of declaring the truth of God's word. I sincerely pray that this pamphlet may be owned and blessed of God.

The tendency of “polite society” is to Liberalism. A life of cross-bearing and self-denial is not fashionable. Many of these people have religious convictions; but, society has them in her firm grasp. To “climb up some other way” is to be “a thief and a robber” (Jno. x. 1.), so they proceed to widen the doorway, or, to evolve from their inner-consciousness, begotten of their worldly mindedness, a theory; which might be properly named:—The Way of the Cross Made Fashion able and Easy. Just how far those who should be “holding forth the Word of life” yield to this influence God alone knows; but, I'm certain the temptation is very great in some quarters (II Tim. iv. 3, 4.)

Unitarianism, on account of this tendency to liberalism on the part of those who have received religious training, but have gone after the world, and desire a truce with their consciences, is much emboldened to advance its pernicious doctrines, in some quarters.. I say some quarters, because they are not alike free to declare their belief in all places. Rohert Collyer, of Chicago, preached in Boston, Sunday, July 23d, 1876. If correctly reported in the city papers, and we presume he was, he took ground in his sermon, that the Word of God is not a necessity. He said: “You may destroy the Bible, and the world has enough good books to get on well enough without it.” Is not this rank infidelity? If it is, is it the hidden meaning of Unitarianism, which they may boldly declare in Boston, but no where else? Or, are they being driven to this by the preaching of the truth? It is rather a pleasing thing to the moralist, to deify this miserable human nature of ours, notwithstanding God says “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isa. Ixiv. 6.) The way of the Cross is that of humility (Luke xviii. 14. 1 Peter v. 6.); foolishness, (1 Cor. i. 18.); self-denial, (Matt. xvi. 24.); and service, (Jno. xii. 26.) Unitarianism offers a ground of compromise to the worldling, the skeptical and proud of heart.

Infidelity receives great encouragement from Liberalism and Unitarianism. Therefore is it very boastful and defiant. “The carnal mind is enmity against God.” (Rom. viii. 7.) Man is by nature an infidel; and when he is wise in his own conceits becomes a preacher of infidelity. He sayeth I am rich, and knoweth not that he is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (Rev. iii. 17.) He appears to be insensible to the great truth that “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them.” (1 Cor. ii. 14.)

I know of but one remedy for all this skepticism and unbelief:—the truth as it is in Jesus the Christ. (1 Cor. i. 20, 21.) “The entrance of thy words giveth light.” (Psa. cxix. 130.) Therefore exalt the Gospel of Christ as it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth. (Rom. i. 16.)

L. W. MUNHALL.

INDIANAPOLIS, June, 1877.