The Gospel of Common Sense; Or Mental, Moral, and Social Science in Harmony with Scriptural Christianity. or Mental, Moral, and Social Science in Harmony with Scriptural Christianity (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1864. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... iii. the evangelic theory, or wat of conscious union with god. Note.--The form of Lecture, or personal address to an imaginary audience, has been adopted in this paper for three reasons, viz.: --1. It facilitates an analysis of the process of thought under review; 2. It enables the author to incorporate with his argument the answers which, as he believes, every cultured conscience will give to his appeals; and, 3. It unfolds the practical application and religious value of the theory contended for. I Take it to be quite clear, that the design of religion is to bring about a conscious reconciliation of man with God. Not an actual reconciliation only, but a conscious reconciliation. Nor can this reasonable assumption be denied without adopting the adverse and untenable position, that man's natural condition--the state destined for Him by his Maker--is to live always under the crushing bondage of conscious guilt. That the development and elevation of man's moral nature is the object which religion immediately contemplates, we readily admit. But, in so doing, it pursues an immediate purpose, with the view of making use of it as a means towards accomplishing a higher purpose beyond. It ascends one height to reach another. That higher purpose is the soul's conscious union with its God. Such being the case, it becomes us to consider very earnestly what is the precise method by which a union so sublime is to be attained. And especially do I propose to inquire whether there exists any scheme capable of leading us up to its enjoyment other than the scheme of the Cross. If there be no other, then is Christianity a moral necessity. And if Christianity be a moral necessity, is that not a strong--ay..