PREFACE. EIGHT years ago was published, at the "Trumpet" office, a small volume, entitled "Twenty-four Short Sermons, on the Doctrine of Universal Salvation." I wrote them originally for the "Trumpet," and, being much straitened for the want of sufficient time to bestow upon them, there are evident marks of carelessness in several instances, both in expression and arrangement. Twenty of those sermons I have embodied in this volume with little or no alteration, except a few typographical errors. The work was urgently called for by my friends, and I had no time to rewrite it. I am aware, that my views upon the New Birth differ from those of others, and, in one instance, have been publicly attacked. But, after prayerful reflection upon the subject, and a careful examination of the expositions of others, I must still remain satisfied of the correctness of my views, until new light shall be shed upon this subject. I fully believe with my brethren, so far as they go, in their explanations of the New Birth. I agree with them in the present change, which takes place through faith; and agree with them, that this faith introduces the believer into the present enjoyment of the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Notwithstanding this, yet I am unable to see how a man can be born again, in this sense, without faith in the resurrection of the dead. If it be admitted, that he cannot, then certainly all the new birth he can experience in this mortal life, is only in faith in anticipation, and not in reality. In the same sense he now passes from death unto life through faith, and through faith he now enjoys eternal life. I have thought proper to dedicate this humble work to Mr. Christopher S. Morris, Dr. Marchant, Dr. Griffin, Robert Anderson, Esq., and Mr. George L. Lumsden. It is a duty of respect I owe them for former kindnesses, and which this tribute of sincere gratitude but poorly repays. Mr. C. S. MORRIS, of Gloucester County, Virginia, was the first in that section who took me by the hand in 1831, when opposition against me and my sentiment was most virulent and untiring. He is a gentleman of high respectability, and has continued to this day, the unswerving friend of our cause. Dr. G. C. MARCHANT, of Indiantown, North Carolina, has long been a believer in Universal Salvation, and has done much for our cause in the section where he lives. I have spent many happy moments in his society, and often look back upon them with pleasure. He is a respectable gentleman, and one in whom our friends may repose entire confidence. Dr. S. S. GRIFFIN, of Williamsburg city, Virginia, and also ROBERT ANDERSON, Esq., of the same place, and Mayor of that city, extended to me the same hospitality and kindness, and sustained me when our sentiment there was very unpopular. They are gentlemen who hold the first rank in B the esteem of those to whom they are best known, and are the uncompromising friends and advocates of equal rights and liberal Christianity. Mr. GEORGE L. LUMSDEN, of Petersburg city, Virginia, is a respectable gentleman, who long stood firm in the belief of endless punishment, and not until lately has he renounced that sentiment, and avowed his belief publicly in the doctrine of Universal Salvation. This change of sentiment he attributes to the reading of my "Twenty-four Short Sermons," and it is principally through his urging their republication, that I have been induced to present the volume, in this enlarged and improved form, to the public. JUNE 1st, 1840. J. B. DODS. The public may expect another volume from my humble pen, the present summer, entitled "The CROWN OF LIFE," containing sentiments in theology not yet advanced by other writers. |