works if they so result as to forever prevent the accomplishment of a Desire so holy and good as for the final purity and blessedness of all his creatures? The fact that he will rejoice in his works is proof positive that his works will so terminate as to gratify every Desire of his holy nature. Moreover the scriptures assure us that "the desire of the righteous shall be granted."(Prov. x. 24.) That God "will fulfil the desire of them that fear him." (Ps. cxlv. 19.) Yea, that "He openeth his hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing."-(Ps. cxlv. 16.) He that is able to satisfy the desire of all other beings, is he not able to satisfy his own Desire?-A desire too, the most holy, honora ble and worthy that the human mind can comprehend? Who or what is to prevent the accomplishment of such a Desire in an infinitely wise and omnipotent Deity? Would the angels in heaven. if they could—and could they if they would? Are we to suppose that a God possessing all knowledge and foresight, would endow man, or any other being, with power to forbid the gratification of his high and gracious Desires? The simple statement of the thought, bears with it the most ample refutation.

The word of God settles the point in regard to the applicability and weight of my argument. In Job we read, "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul DESIRETH, even that he DOETH!!"—(Job. xxiii. 13.) What more need be added. Elder Holmes acknowledges God desires the holiness and happiness of all men. The Bible asserts positively, that whatsoever he desireth, even that he DOETH!! Here I might rest the whole argument on the entire question. This single declaration amply sustains the affirmative of the proposition now before us, and places it infinitely beyond the reach of all human logic to overthrow or weaken, in the slightest possible manner!! My Second Argument rests on

THE INTENTION OF GOD.

PROPOSITION:-God originally Intended that the doctrine of Universal Salvation should be true-and actually Believed its teachings would be fulfilled.

PROOF. That the Creator had some distinct intention-some clear, positive design, in regard to the ultimate condition of the human race, when he formed the determination to usher them into existence, no believer in the Divine Existence can doubt. What was the nature of that intention or design? Elder Holmes will not take the Calvinistic ground, that God intended but a part. of mankind for salvation, and reprobated the remainder to endless wretchedness. He will assuredly unite with me in the declaration, that Deity originally intended to save ALL his creatures, and make them holy and happy. But whether he agrees with me or not, the scriptures abundantly support this position. They declare that "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world, through him, might be saved.”—(John

в

iii. 17.) "I came not," says Christ, "to judge the world, but to save the world."-(John xii. 47.) The Apostle John exclaims"We have seen and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of THe world.”—(1 John iv. 14.) Behold the Lamb

of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."—(John i. 29.) Again, listen to the Redeemer-" And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."-(John xii. 32.) These scripture testimonies are sufficient to prove that in his original purposes, God intended the doctrine to be true which teaches that all men shall finally be holy and happy.

If such was his intention, then such manifestly must have been his belief, also. It cannot be supposed God would have sent his Son to be "the Savior of the world"-"to save the world"-" to take away the sin of the world"-" to draw all men unto him"unless he believed Christ would be able to complete that work. Hence he must have believed the final salvation of all mankind would be accomplished through his Son. Thus believing, we see why it was God inspired all his holy prophets to preach the same doctrine! St. Peter declares "the times of the restitution of all things, God hath spoken by the mouth of ALL his holy prophets since the world began."-(Acts iii. 21.)

The Savior also must have believed the same doctrine. Most certainly he would not have come to save all men, as the scriptures declare, if he had not believed all would be saved. Why should a reasonable being attempt to do that which he did not believe could be done! Moreover the angels of God, and all the hosts of Heaven, must have believed the salvation of the world. For their belief assuredly would correspond with that of God and Christ. Thus the doctrine of Universal Salvation prevailed in Heaven, and formed a glorious theme for the songs of angelic hosts around the throne of Infinite Goodness!!

Is it a matter of great marvel, that a sentiment which was believed by the Father, the Son, and all the spirits who bowed in worship before the throne, should be received by us on the earth? If the evidences of its truth were sufficient to commend it to those higher beings, ought not the same evidences, revealed through Jesus, to satisfy men of its truth? And can a doctrine which was admitted into the celestial courts above, and filled the hearts of pure and spotless beings, who worship in the very presence of God, be a false and dangerous sentiment on the earth? Moreover can it be imagined for an instant, that the Father of spirits, and his Son, and the holy beings around his throne, were all believing a FALSE DOCTRINE? If so, who deceived them? who led them astray?

The fact, which my opposing friend will not deny, that God originally intended to make all men holy and happy, is proof positive, that they will in due season, become so. Has the Deity

abandoned or changed that design? If so, when and where? I call for dates and facts!

That God has not changed his most worthy and glorious purpose to save all men, is a position the first dictates of reason, and the whole testimony of the Bible, call upon us to believe. He has not changed it of his own accord. This is evident: for with God there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning."(James i. 17.) That he has not changed his purpose at the solicitation, or the command of others, we may be assured by the declaration of inspiration-"He is in one mind, and who can turn him?" (Job xxiii. 13.) Who could command him? None. Who would solicit him to change so good an intention? No one, but an infinitely malignant being! And would he give heed to such a solicitation from such a being? That our Father in heaven would give his creatures no power to thwart his purpose, and rush to their total destruction, is self-evident! Why should he do so? Why should he bestow upon man any ability, agency or liberty, whereby his own most gracious intentions would be defeated, and man himself made endlessly miserable? What call was there for a course so destructive? What exigency demanded it? What combination of circumstances, would render the Deity willing to endow the creature with power to overthrow the plans of his Creator, and ruin himself?"

That God cannot be disappointed in any of his intentions, we are bound to believe by every enlightened conception of a perfect Deity. This, indeed, is a great fundamental truth asserted by the Bible. "He doeth according to his will, in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the Earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou." (Dan. iv. 35.) Now as it was God's original intention and deliberate purpose to make all mankind finally holy and happy, and as he DOETH according to his Will, or purpose, in Heaven and on Earth, and none can thwart him-it is impossible to arrive at any other conclusion, than that, in the fulness of times, the entire human race will be brought to repentance, purity and Heaven!!

My Third Argument is drawn from

THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD.

PROPOSITION.-1. Jehovah is a Sovereign. 2. He has established a Government over all mankind. 3. His Government must be designed for a specific object. 4. That object is the secure and permanent establishment of the good of each and every being over whom it is exercised. 5. God is perfect-his Government is perfect-and in its final results it will bring all men to a state of perfect holiness and happiness.

PROOF.-1. Jehovah is a Sovereign: "O Lord God of our Fathers, art not thou God in Heaven? And rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thy hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee ?"-(2

Chron. xx. 6.) "To the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men." (Dan. iv. 17.)

2. God has established a Government over all mankind. "Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all.”—(1 Chron xxix. 11, 12.) “The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice."-(Ps. xcvii. 1.)

3. His Government is designed for a specific object. God is an intelligent being. Intelligence never acts without a motive, or a distinct purpose. All the doings of a wise and intelligent being, is a constant and well-regulated adaptation of fitly chosen means, to well-defined ends. In establishing a government over men, the Creator must have designed to accomplish some distinct

purpose.

his ways.

4. That purpose was to promote the Good, and secure the Welfare, of each and all beings, over whom his government is extended. In other words, to bring every human being to yield entire obedience to those two commandments, which are the sum of the law and the prophets, viz: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."(Matt. xxii. 37-39.) To cherish this love is to be happy in any world. That the Government of God is established for the good of all, is a clear deduction from the moral character of the Deity. He is a holy being. "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."-(Isa. vi. 3.) He is just in "Just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints." (Rev. xv. 3.) He is impartially good and merciful. "The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works." (Ps. cxlv. 9.) A God who is holy, just, good and merciful, would not establish a Government for the good of a part, and the everlasting injury of the remainder. Had Deity pursued this course, in no possible sense could it be said, that he was good to those whose injury was designed, even though it was inflicted for the benefit of others. Hence the declaration of the Psalmist "that the Lord is good unto all," would be untrue in every particular. Neither could he aim at "the greatest good of the greatest number," as usually understood that is, the greatest good of a portion, at the expense of endless evil to others. Human governments may feel themselves authorized to act in some instances on this principle. But such a terrible anomoly can only come from their imperfection—their lack of power, skill, ways and means, to secure the greatest good of all. If they had the ability to do this, yet neglected or refused to accomplish it, their reign would be tyrannical and oppressive, and they could be justly and lawfully hurled from power. In no possible sense can it be supsed, a Deity whose goodness extends to all, and whose entire

nature is Love, would voluntarily so constitute his government, or so administer it, that it would be necessary to render a part endlessly miserable, to secure the happiness of the rest. Neither could his Government or his plans become so disarranged, as to compel him to pursue this course, in opposition to his original purpose. His knowledge is infinite-his foresight extends through all time and eternity, and the entire frame-work of his Government, with all its details, were formed under the light of Wisdom that cannot err. So far from aiming at the greatest good of a part, through the evil of the remainder, as do the imperfect, erring governments of short-sighted man, the Government of God was designed to secure the "greatest good of the greatest number" in the true sense of that phrase-that is, the greatest good of the whole race of man!! To deny this, or to attempt to conceal it, is to deny the justice, impartiality, goodness and love, of the Most High.

5. God is a perfect being. "As for God, his way is perfect." -(2 Sam. xxii. 31.) "His work is perfect."-(Deut. xxxii. 4.) If Jehovah is perfect in his "way" and in his "work," then his Government over man is a perfect Government. It is perfectly adapted to accomplish the object or end, for which it was estab lished, viz: To secure the permanent good of every human being over which it extends. If God has made his Government perfect, then it is perfectly adapted to man, in all the varied conditions, circumstances and exigencies, of his being. It has light and truth for the ignorant, which it will assuredly pour into their minds and hearts. It has laws to restrain the sinful-rewards for the virtuous, and punishments for the guilty. But these punishments are not retaliatory, revengeful, or vindictive. They are inflicted in justice, tempered with mercy, and designed for the reformation of the guilty, and an example of warning to others. To suppose that Deity, in establishing a Government to promote the good of all men to bring all to obedience to the commandments which require them to love God supremely, and their neighbors as themselves, would take any step, enact any law, or inflict any penalty, which would result in fixing vast multitudes in endless disobedience, hatred and misery-is to suppose him affected by greater blindness, ignorance and stupidity, than has ever been exhibited by earthly rulers in all time!! Originating his government for the endless benefit of the whole intelligent creation, nothing would be done by him to counteract or frustrate that worthy and holy purpose; but all his measures would be aimed directly and solely at its completion. His Government being perfect-its means and resources being amply sufficient to accomplish the object of its establishment-the infinite Law-giver being infinitely able and willing to secure the greatest good of the greatest number, which is THE WHOLE-we are brought to a conclusion, as gratifying as it is glorious, that the final and grand result of the operations of