ページの画像
PDF
ePub

which erst times pierced him through with many sorrows. But he was redeemed, the price was paid, ere ever he was called into existence. Thus, in this view, redemption and salvation are distinct considerations.

The Preacher unhesitatingly believed, all who learned of the Father would come to Jesus, and that all would finally be taught of God. He was a decided believer in the doctrine of angels of light, and angels of darkness, of ministering spirits of light, and of demons stimulating to deeds of darkness. He looked forward to a judgment to come, when countless numbers, among the children of men, would rise to the resurrection of damnation, and, ignorant of the genuine character of the Redeemer, would call upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, and hide them from the WRATH OF THE LAMB; and, believing himself a humble instrument in the hand of God, ordained by Him to the ministry of reconciliation, he was never so completely happy, as when declaring the gospel to be believed; and calling upon men, every where, to receive the glad tidings of salvation. He was persuaded that those, who lied down in sorrow, would continue unhappy wanderers, until the opening of that book, in which every human being, every member of Christ was written; yet he had no idea of any purgation for sin, save what was suffered by Christ Jesus, who, by Himself, purged our sins. Writing of Mr. Winchester to a friend, Mr. Murray thus expressed himself, "Mr. Winchester is full with Mr. Law, and of course preaches purgatorial satisfaction. According to these gentlemen, every man must finally be his own Saviour! If I must suffer as much, in my own person, as will satisfy divine justice, how is, or how can Christ Jesus be, my Saviour? If this purgatorial doctrine be true, the ministry of reconciliation, committed to the Apostles, must be false;" to wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing unto them their trespasses." In fact, I know no persons further from Christianity, genuine Christianity, than such Universalists."

Mr.Murray supposed the inquietude of unembodied, or departed spirits, a natural effect, derived from a cause. As unbelievers, they cannot see the things which belong to their peace; but he greatly rejoiced, that however at present enveloped in darkness, there were, and are, things that did and do belong to their peace, that the day cometh, when whatsoever is hid shall be revealed, and, that at the period of the restitution of all things, the word, the oath of Jehovah was pledged, that every eye should see, and every tongue confess. The Preacher was persuaded that a few, even in the present dispensation, were elected out of the world, to embrace the truth, previous to their passing out of time.

These, judging themselves, are therefore not to be judged; Saints of God, they shall surround the Redeemer at his second coming, or be caught up in the air to meet the GOD-MAN; after which, the whole world shall be summoned at the imperial bar of the Sire of angels and of men, the Creator of all worlds: That a separation will then take place; the Judge, the Redeemer will divide them, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats; will separate every individual from that body of sin and death, of which Paul complained, being burdened; from that fallen spirit, which attaches to every individual in such sort as to the man among the tombs, rendering it a truth, that he who sleepeth, apparently alone upon his bed, is, nevertheless, still connected with his tormentor, and will so continue, until this glorious day of separation, and of restitution; when these two shall be separated, one from another, the one taken, and the other left. The fallen angels, figured by the goats, shall be ranged on the left hand, while the harassed human nature, redeemed by the God who created it, shall be found on the right hand of the MOST HIGH. Thus, after the world is judged, out of the things written in the books; after they are found guilty before God, and every mouth is stopped, the BOOK of LIFE SHALL BE OPENED, IN WHICH ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE REDEEMER, EVERY INDIVIDUAL OF THE HUMAN FAMILY, shall be found writteN; and the ransomed of the Lord shall be declared denizens of that kingdom, where dwelleth felicity uninterrupted.

Such were the leading sentiments of OUR UNIVERSALIST; and he was firmly of opinion, that the doctrines of the Gospel, rightly understood, would teach men, every where, to be careful of maintaining good works, to love one another, and in all things to regard the best interest of their BROTHER MAN.

Conversant with the Preacher upwards of forty years, we never knew his testimony to vary, in the smallest degree. In joy and in sorrow, in health, in sickness, and in death, not a single cloud appeared to gather upon the Countenance of his God, or to obstruct, so far as it referred to his prospects beyond the grave, the clear sunshine of His soul.

If we except the Rev. John Tyler, episcopalian minister in Norwich, Connecticut, and the Rev. Edward Mitchell in the city of NewYork, we do not know that the sentiments of any Preacher of Universalism, now upon this Continent, are exactly in unison with the departed Promulgator. But, if they build upon the great foundation, we devoutly wish them God speed; well assured, that those who build upon this foundation-gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble--eve

ry man's work shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so, as by fire.

Mr. Murray's last marriage was the result of a strong and holy friendship, founded upon the Rock of ages; and, originating in devout admiration of redeeming love, it is fervently hoped, and unwaveringly believed, that this Union will be perfected in ANOTHER AND A BETTER WORLD.

One son, and one daughter, were the Offspring of this marriage. The son surrendered his innocent life in the birth; the daughter still survives, the prop, and consolation of her WIDOWED MOTHER.

[graphic][subsumed]

TO BE SOLD AT FRANKLIN-PLACE, NO. 5, BOSTON,

LETTERS

AND

SKETCHES OF SERMONS.

In three Octavo Volumes.

BY REVEREND JOHN MURRAY.

CONTAINING

LETTERS, FAMILIAR DIALOGUES, AND VARIOUS INVESTIGA

TIONS OF DIFFICULT PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE:

AMONG WHICH IS A COPIOUS EXPLANATION OF THE TWEN

TY-FIFTH CHAPTER OF MATTHEW;

THE SON OF PERDITION;

THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN, AND THE BEGGAR

THE DISCIPLE WHO BETRAYED HIS MASTER;

&c. &c. &c.

Applicants may be furnished with this work on the terms it was obtained by subscribers.

It cannot be sold, consistent with rectitude, except by the EDITOR, at No. 5, Franklin-Place, Boston;

By the Rev. EDWARD MITCHELL, City of New-York;

And by Mr. THOMAS DOBSON, Bookseller, City of Philadelphia.

« 前へ次へ »