1833 SIGNS OF THE TIMES (BEEBE)

Can it be possible that Mr. Judson, with his Bible before him, can think that the adorable Lamb who is in the Bible emphatically called “the Mighty God, the everlasting father” &c. that he, in whose hands is vested all power in heaven and on earth, that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him, is so very deficient in power after all, as to be dependent on the American females, for ability to draw souls into union with himself, or that

on their works good or bad, his rejoicing depends? Be astonished O heavens! and awfully afraid O Earth; when by the impudence of such men, as Mr. Judson, the Lord Jesus Christ is set forth, robbed of his Crown, and stripped of his Eternal power and God-head, pressing his invitations, and urging his earnest solicitations, upon creatures whose breath is in their nostrils.

But in his fourth item, Mr. Judson’s doctrine goes to supercede the work of Jesus Christ entirely, and he ascribes to his “Golden Calf,” not only temporal blessings, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked &c. but also the spreading of the gospel and the salvation of souls.

Instead of saying with an inspired Apostle, “Other foundations can no man lay than that which is laid,” namely Jesus Christ, “grinning defiance” to the Apostle’s doctrine, he says that, “some yea many precious souls might have been redeemed from the quenchless fires of hell, had you not been affraid of being thought unfashionable” &c.

But let us consider how Mr. J’s redemption is to be made. First Aaron like, he, as an high priest, demands that the daughters of Israel should strip themselves of their ornamental dress. Secondly, consecrate them “to the cause of charity, by bedewing them with the tears of contrition, &c.—Thirdly, hang them in the Saviour’s stead upon the Cross: i. e. offer them on the same Altar, on which the divine sacrifice was offered, and then join with him in the shout, “These be thy Gods! O Israel &c.” and as God’s sound their praise millions of ages after this world and all its vanities are consumed.

One object of Mr. Judson, cannot well be disguised, namely, that of blending the Church, and world together in opposition to the express command of God: “Unite Christian Sisters of all Denominations.”—Christ has established but one Denomination of christians on earth, all other denominations are Harlots; and he that is joined to an Harlot is one flesh. Thus Mr. J. identified himself with all the daughters of the Old Mother of Harlots and having placed himself at the corner of the streets, for the seduction of the simple, in the language of the Harlot, he says. “Cast in thy lot with us and we will all have one purse.”

“May I respectfully suggest, (says Mr. Judson) that plain dress societies be formed in every city and village throughout the land.” We answer yes, if you can bring a precept and example from the word of God. But this he does not attempt, he gives himself as authority and says, delay not an instant, and points to the Temperance Societies for an example. Such precepts and examples may do for those who teach for doctrines the commandments of men. But the followers of the Lamb will never join in such unhallowed connections with Anti-Christ. They will hear his voice and follow him, but a stranger they will not follow. Many professors of religion, including perhaps nearly all nominal and worldly minded professors may unite. Pilate and Herod may make friends, the mother of Harlots, and all her daughters, may join in unison. But thus saith the Lord “associate yourselves together, and ye shall be broken in pieces.” And to his children the Lord says, “say not a confederacy to all to whom this people shall say a confederacy neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid.”

We cannot suppress our astonishment that even Mr. Judson, should imagine that his (Golden Calf) will be a subject of praise in the world to come, although we must confess, that his theory is consistent with his faith in a plurality of Saviours:—for if the single fact of a Lady’s divesting herself of a useless necklace, has a bearing on the destiny of eternity, and the united exertions of a plain dress society can save many souls from the quenchless fires of hell, where, without these exertions they must lie and suffer to all eternity, it would be perfectly consistent to praise them for their God-like power to save. However beautiful this doctrine may sound in the ears of the gay and fashionable religionists of this day, there is no comliness in it to those who believe that Jesus is God, and besides him there is no Saviour.

Such souls as know the Lord, confidently hope through the blood of their incarnate God, to be permitted to join in the song of his redeemed, and in eternal anthems of everlasting worship, swell these heavenly notes, “Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy name be the glory. For as much as we know that we are not redeemed with such corruptible things as silver and gold—but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, for you, who by him do believe in God,” &c.

“Let others trust what names they please,
Their saints and angels boast;
We’ve no such advocates as these,
Nor trust the heavenly host!”

We leave the subject. Our souls sicken within us, to think that such awful delusions should be sent from America to Burmah, and from thence, reverberated back, through the correspondence of those professed “Teachers in Israel, who know not these things.” The Apostle Paul says, “but though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed.”