Gospel Herald, 1861-03-09

              Devoted, to Olu-iatiarLity, IVIorallty, th.6 Interests of SaTDl)ath Solxools, Social ImpTOTeraent, Temperance, Education, and General ISTe-ws.
"BEHOLD,   I   BEING   TOU   GOOD   TIDINGS   OF   GKEAT   JOT ....  ON   EARTH   PEACE,   GOOD   WILL   TOWARD   MEN."
VOL. 17.
DilYTON, 0., SATURDAY, MARCH 9,1861,
NO. 43.
SELI^CT POETRY.
[selected.]
John G. Whittier has written many, good things bnt few equal, to the : following patriotic Imes. He glories in our race, our ijation, our prosperity, power .and growth; therefore hie pen had a sort ol inspiration when he penned these verses: '
The blood that flowed at Lexington, andcrim-
eoned bright Champlain,' Streams stiUalong the Southern Gulf and by the
Lakes of Maine; :
It flows in veins that swell along Pacific's gol¬ den sand, And throb in hearts that love and grieve by dark Atlantic's strand.
It binds in one vast brotherhood, the trappers of the West,
With men whoso cities glass themselves on Erie's classic breast;
And those to whom September brings the iire- side social hours.
With those who see December's brow all wreath¬ ed with gorgeous flowers.
From where Columbia laughs to greet the smil¬ ing western wave, , :   ^
To where I'otomac sighs beside the patriot hero's grave;
And from the gleaming everglades, to Huron's lordly flood,
The glory of a nation's past, thrills through a kindred blood.
Whenever Arnold's tale is told it dyes the cheek with shame.
And glows with pride o'er Bunker Hill or Moul¬ trie's wider fame.
And whereso'er above the fray, the stars of, em¬ pire gleam.
Upon the deck or o'er the dust it proves a com¬ mon theme I
Its sacred legacy ye   never can divide. Or take from village urchin nor son of oui; city ¦ pride. Nor tbe hunter's   white haired children   who
find a faithful home. Where nameless lakes are sparkling, and where
lonely rivers roam.
Greene drew his sword at Eutaw, and bleeding Southern feet
Trod the march across the Delaware amid the snow and sleet I
And lo I upon   the parchment,, where our natal
•f, record shines,
'ihe burning page of Jefferson, bears Frank¬ lin's calmer lines.
Could ye divide tiat record liright, and tear the
names apart    ¦ . ,
That first were written boldly there with plight
of hand or heart? Could ye erase a Hancock's name 'e?n with the
sabre's edge. ,
Or wash out with   fraternal Wood,  a  Carroll's
double pledge 7
Say, can the So.uth sell all her share in Bunk¬ er's Hoary height,
Or can the North give up her boast in York town's closing figlil'7
Can ye divide with equal hand a heritage of graves,
Or rend in twain the siiarry flag, that proudly o'er them waves?
Canye cast lots for Vernon's soil, or chaffer 'mid the gloom.
That hangs ita solemn folds about your common fathers tomb?
Orcould you meet around his grave as patrici¬ dal foes;    .
And breathe your burning curses o'er his calm repose ?
To dare not 1 is the AUeghanian's thunder-ton¬ ed decree,
Tis echoed where Nava guards the blue and tranquil lea;
Whore tropic waves delighted clasp our frown¬ ing Southern shoi-e.
And where through foaming mountain gates Nebraska's waters roar.
That is a poor and wretched heart indeed, in whioh hopo can not find something to food upon.
OBIGINALITIES.
Written for the Gospel Herald.
Regeneration.
BY W. H.   NASON,
In attempting to present a subject of go mnoh importance; much that is valuable might be brought to view; but I will only present a few ideas that will lead others to examine it still further and more clearly.
First, notice what it is. As there are but two passages in the Bible, where regeneration is mentioned, and neither of these give much light as to its meaning. I shall be dependent on other passages, or words of the same import.
It is a reanimation of that which was dead, as generation, or generate, means bringing, into < existence, that which before did not exist, as regener¬ ation implies giving a,second birth, or life, to that, which before had existed, and either spiritually, qt temporally, Ibst such existence. Bu'tjas it i§ only brought to view in a spintu&l sense, it has, spiritually, no other than spir¬ itual meaning; hence, regeneration means no more or less, than a new, or spiritual birth, whereby man receives the moral image of his maker. It is called a new creation; "created in Christ Jesus unto good works," &c, Bph. 2: 10, and 4: 24. It is called be¬ ing quickened, Bph. 2: 1. "You hath he quickonoti;" verse 5. "When %ve were dead in sins, He quickened us." It is called a new birth; "being born again, not of corruptable seed, bnt of incorruptable," (Spiritual) IPet. 1: 23. It is called a translation; "who hath translated us into the kingdon of his dear Son;" Col. 1:13. It is also call¬ ed by'other namc-i, but these are suffi¬ cient for'dur prosont purpose.
I notice in the second place, how it is accomplished; Aa I have alreadj' stated, that it was only a spiritual meaning, it must, of course, be com¬ menced and finished, by the spirit and power of God. I have given a few of the terms by which it is called in Scripture and in each it is represented as a work of God,- or His spirit upon the heart of him who is regenerated. In tlie new creation, it is said to bo God's workmanship." In the quick¬ ening, it is said to be the work of God. "You hath he (God) quickened." In thenei*' birth, it is attributed to God's word: In the translation, it is said to be done by God the Father; and in all other places, it is spoken of, as the immediate work of God npon the heart. It is true, Christ speaks of those who have followed him in the regeneration, but this does not change the sense of the term as being the work of God, for he dofes not say that they followed him by regenerating themselves.
But, although it is the work of God to regenerate the creature, yet man has an important agency in the work, and no person was ever regenerated against his own will. There are cer¬ tain conditions to be performed by man, before he can receive the great blessing. The language of Scripture is: "Eepent and be converted," And Jesus ordained, that repentance and remission of sins sbould bo preached Iiepentance, then; is a prerequisite to regeneration, and thia is the work ofthe creature.    Faith is also, a pre¬
requisite, or condition; for he that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and living faith is the act ofthe crea¬ ture.
Third, the effects of regeneration. First, as to its enjoyment. T}xe re¬ generated person enjoys love, joy, peace,-&c. He loves the children of God affectionately, and, he loves the world of mankind with a love of pity. Joy and peace also flow to the soul, joying in God and feace from God.—- The effect upon their conduct will be obedience to all the commands of God; and this obedience will be in propor,-- tion to their love to God. If they love Him with all thoir heart they .will yield perfect obedience to His will. A re¬ generated person is a Christian, and there is no such being as a disobedient Christian, The regenerated person leads a new life, with him, old things are passed away, he is now in Ohrist, and is a new creature; and as a natur¬ al result will live a life of faith and holiness, and as he was before engag¬ ed in the service of sin, he now serves God with all his, ransomed powers, and loves the service. He is also a per¬ severing person. No one has a right to the title of Christian, unless he has the characteristics ofa Christian, and a true christian perseveres in the path of holiness. Another effect is, it will load to good works. There are those who pretend to live by faith, but it is only a dead faith, it produces no good works, but a living faith is always at¬ tended with good works, such as are pleasing to God and profitable to the soul.
11 also prepai'cs the person for the service of God in this world and for every good word and work here on earth, and for immortal joy in the kingdom of Heaven, where _he will he faultless before the throne, to praise God and the Lamb eternally. Eead- er, have you become a follower of Christ by regeneration, if .not, attend tothe work immediately, there is no time to bo lost.
Written for the Gospel Herald,
'The  Christan   Church South—Not Unitarian in Sentiment-"
A reply to Rev. John Paris' Book, entitled: " Unitarianism Exposed, as it exists in the Christian Church." For an interesting work, the price is certainly very reasonable, only twenty-five cents. It is said to be written in a clear, nervous and forcible style, by Elder W. B. Wellons, My object in noticing the work is to obtain information in regard tc. some essential points contained in it. I was ignorant ofthe-fact that there was but one Church in the South, called, "Tho Christian ' Church, South," I have heard • and am somo acquainted with "the Methodist Episcopal Church, South;" but whether it is a branch of "tho Christian Church," may bo doubt¬ ful, inasmuch as itis a consolidated body, and pro-slavery in sentiment and prac¬ tice. In reading the Apostolic History, I do not find that tho apostles ever spoke of "the Christian Church" in those primitive days ot Christianity. "The Christian Church," isaphrasonot found in our creed. The Churches in tne Aijostolic times wero not consoli¬ dated into ono great and powerful hierarchy.rnled by a central head; but
they were independent organi.zation's, and associations Of believers in Jesus Ohrist. This was an essential point in the Christian Church at Antioch, and in all other places. We never read of the Christian Church, North or South. —the visible and invisible Church— the Church militant and triumphant, and such like terms; these are all the works of man, in order to destroy tho piety and simplicity of goapel religion. The Christians aro the same holy and peculiar people all over the world, oppoised to sectarianism—and super¬ stition, and bigotry. ButtMs book con¬ tains anotlier'fact, which requirs expla¬ nation and some light. It asserts that "the Christian Church, South," is not Unitarian—the Church in tho South does not embrace the Unitarian system of Christianity; of course it must be Trinitarian, in its religious opinions; and believes in the tri-personality of tbe God-head—God the Father—God the Son, and God tho Holy Ghost; which embracostheinnate depravity of man, and the vicarious sacrifice ot the God—man Chriat Jesus. The unita¬ rian Christian, in every part of the world, has no eymbolie book but the Bible,. Unitarianism has its support in the Scriptures, and relates mainly to three subjects—God, the Christ, and man. Jesua Christ is either God, or he is not. The Unitariiinism of tho Old Testamont, is given by Hoses and the Prophets; the New Testament, the tmitarianism ofthe Christ and the apostles.. In a theological point of view,-Unitarianism is a belief in one doctrine—the doctrine of a simple and absolute unity of the divine . being— that God is so entirely one and alone, thatplurality ,can in no sense be ap¬ plied to him..
Now -whatever ¦ "the Christian Church", may, believe, of which Bid, Wellojis writes and speaks, it is,a well established fact that Jesus Christ, and tho Apostles, and the-primitiye Chris-, tians, and Christian Churches . for upwards of thr:ee centuries were Uni- tariens,: believing and advocating the Unitarian systam of Christianity.,. Je¬ sus the Ohrist, explicitly taught ono "Je¬ hovah." ,The apostle Paul expressly Rays; "Lo, as, the Father,ii,s one God." It seems "the. Christian Church," has a certain - "distinctive basis of doc¬ trines," which is worthy of theimita- taton of all other Christian Churches, whether Trinitarian or sectarian intheir cbaristerie feature,, wherever they may be located.
It appears that Elder Wellons shows very   cksarly,    that   "the    Christian Church South," has  no amalgamation with, or afiiinity to the  "dangerous dogmas of Rationalism, Humanitarian- ism, &c."    Christian Churches every¬ where, should discard all "dangerous dogmas," and soul-destroying errors ofthe dark andgloomy agea; but more especially, tbo mysterious and incom¬ prehensible   dogmas  of the  Trinity, tho consolidation of tho churches and Sectarian names among the Christians as unfounded in Scripture.    Nature, Ij^eason and the Bible are Unitarian; they all declare the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. , Paul says: "God is one, and there'is one. mediator botweeu  God and men,  the man   Christ Jesus."    The primitive ChristianH, and very many chrif,tiaiiB