PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. INCE the eight sermons forming the original series SINCE were first published, there have been many calls for them, especially in the West and South, in places where new liberal movements were being started. They are now re-issued with as many more upon similar topics, in the hope that they may be useful in an educational way, in places where the doctrines they contain are not familiar. MARION D. SHUTTER, (Church of Redeemer, First Universalist.) MINNEAPOLIS, May 9, 1894. CONTENTS. THE DISCROWNED KING OF DARKNESS, II. JOSEPH Cook's THEORY OF PROBATION, I. THE DISCROWNED KING OF DARKNESS. [Sunday evening, March 12th, 1893.] “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed."-JAMES I: 14. "With the rise of the rationalistic temper throughout Europe in the eighteenth century," says Principal Tulloch, "the belief in the pervading influence of diabolic agency began to disappear. The sense of the supernatural decayed in all directions, especially the old belief in the arbitrary control exercised by an evil power over human destiny. And while the religious impulse has gained greatly since then, and shown renewed vigor, both in an evangelical and catholic direction, it can not be said that the earlier faith in the operations of a personal devil has acquired reascendancy." While it is true that the idea holds, by no means, the place it once did, it is not extinct. It is going, but not quite gone. Men have not entirely given it up. There are those who think that the very foundations would be shaken by its surrender, that God himself would be huried from his throne, were Satan ejected from human thought. A recent and justly esteemed Life of Christ defends the doctrine of an evil personality . with hosts of minor demons under his banner, and the reality of demoniacal possessions. A revered teacher in one of the leading theological seminaries says: "There must be a revival of belief in a personal devil. Revive faith in the intimacy of the converse of demons with the minds of men to the extent possibly of demoniacal possessions. Picture their power to charm men with fascinating revelations. Reproduce with biblical intensity the great conflict between right and wrong as a conflict between God and Satan." There is no doubt a popular belief, more or less widespread, that corresponds with this declaration of faith. Satan, as a person,-a huge, fallen archangel, surrounded by and controlling hosts of subordinate demons, is still, to some extent, believed in and feared. Many speak his name. with the same reverence they do that of God. A curious illustration may be found in Cape Cod Folks. Grandfather Spicer, in a petulant humor, uses the word "devilish." His wife, in calm and awful reproof, says: "I think we've gone far enough for one day. We've broke the Sabbath and took the name o' the Lord in vain, and that ought to be enough for perfessors!" Mr. Conway tells of a lady in England who made her children bow their heads at the name of Satan, as well as at the name of God, because she There is a story of a peasant thought it "safer." |