On every other subject succeeding times have learned to form
a judgment more in accordance with the spirit of Christianity than
was the practice of the early ages.
But it is said: "Admit that the rite was not designed to be
perpetual. What harm doth it? Here it stands, generally accepted,
under some form, by the Christian world, the undoubted occasion of
much good; is it not better it should remain?"
II. This is the question of expediency.
I proceed to state a few objections that in my judgment lie
against its use in its present form.
1. If the view which I have taken of the history of the
institution be correct, then the claim of authority should be dropped
in administering it. You say, every time you celebrate the rite,
that Jesus enjoined it; and the whole language you use conveys that
impression. But if you read the New Testament as I do, you do not
believe he did.
2. It has seemed to me that the use of this ordinance tends to
produce confusion in our views of the relation of the soul to God.
It is the old objection to the doctrine of the Trinity, -- that the
true worship was transferred from God to Christ, or that such
confusion was introduced into the soul, that an undivided worship was
given nowhere.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28