What is Calvinism? or, The confession of faith, in harmony with the Bible and common sense, in a series of dialogues between a Presbyterian minister and a young convert

Smith William D. B. Ca. 1800

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• Presbyterianism

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• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 9
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 11 Mo

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What is Calvinism?///.ISWHAT CALVINISM?
OR THE
CONFESSION OFFAITII,
/
IN HARMONY WITH THE BIBLE AND
^^ ^^''.^^'^COMMON SENSE^/^l^^'^^
DEC20 19II
IN A SERIES OF
DIALOGUES BETWEEN A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER
AND A YOUNG CONVERT.
BY THE
EEV. WILLIAM D. SMITH, D.D.
PHILADELPHIA:
BOARD OF PUBLICATION.PRESBYTERIAN
CHESTNUT STREET-No. 265Entered according to Act of Congresa in the year 1854, by
A. W. MITCHELL, M.D.
in the Ofl5ce of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern
District of Pennsvlvania.INTRODUCTIOISr.
There are two causes which exert a powerful in-
in rendering unpopular those doctrines usu-fluence
radical,ally styled Calvinistic. One of them is and
not to be removed by reason or argument. Its seat
the heart. in for doctrinesis in It consists a distaste
which are so humiliating, and therefore repugnant
our depraved nature. The only effectual remedyto
grace of When,is the God. by the renewal of our
minds, we are brought fully and cordially to ac-
quiesce in the Divine government, and rejoiceto that
"the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth," the essential
elements of these doctrines will not only form a part
our creed, but become theof nourisnment of our
souls and the source of our purest and most elevated
enjoyment.
otherThe cause alluded to is a misapprehension
of what these doctrines really are, as understood by
those who believe them. They are often rejected
groundon this even by pious men, who, relyingupon
the representations of uncandid and prejudiced wri-
ters or speakers, are made to believe that they are
dishonourable to God, and therefore not only to be re-
pudiated, but abhorred. There are not a few, whose
religious knowledge is small, that will scarcely listen
with patience to Calvinistic preachers, because of
tlie erroneous impression made upon their minds by
false and slanderous statements concerning their sys-
tem of faith. And when they do hear them, and
find that no such odious doctrines are preached, they
Bometimes charge them with hvpocrisy in concealing
(iii)IV INTRODUCTION.
their real sentiments. To remove these prejudices
and enlighten the minds of such, is anto important
a work whichobject ; and hence states with candor
and correctness what these doctrines are, as held by
their advocates, which explains, proves, and illus-
in kind, lucid, and convincing manner,trates them a
and thus commends itself to the attention and confi-
dence of its readers, is of great and permanent value.
volume regard as such a book; andThe present we
itwe most cordially and earnestly recommend to all
candid and sincere inquirers after truth. Upon plain
and unsophisticated minds, it can scarcely fail to
make a favourable impression. We commend it,
also, to the doubting, and even to the prejudiced (if
are willing to read it), believing thatany such a
careful perusal of its contents will produce a bene-
ficial result.
Dr. Smith had served the church as a pastor, as a
Indians, editormissionary among the as an of a re-
ligious paper, and as a teacher of youth. For two
or three 3'^ears previous to his decease, which occurred
"of he professor in An-in the autumn 1848, was a
derson's Collegiate Institute'' at New Albany, Indi-
ana, where his services were highly appreciated.
his death, theOnly a few days before honorary de-
gree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the trus-
tees his Alma Maier, Washington College, Pa. Asof
eminently scriptural. His man-a preacher, he was
ners were plain and unaffected his temper sweetand;
; his conversation agreeable and edifying.equable
" indeed, in whom wasHe was, in short, an Israelite,
'^no guile. His departure from the world was peace-
ful and happy. Many tears were shed over his grave,
will long embalmed in the affec-and his memory be
prayer is thattions of his numerous friends. Our
this volume may perpetuate his name and his useful-
many generations. It is worthy of a placeness to
Jamesin every Christian family. Wood.