THE DAMNATION OF INFANTS. [To TI la EDITOR OP THE "
SPECTLTOR.1 SIR,—The reviewer of "The Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe," in your issue of December 30th, mentions "Jonathan Edwards, the man who found blessed comfort in contem- plating the damnation of ' infants a span long.' " I am astonished that a reviewer for the Spectator, in whose accuracy and fairness we like to confide, should be guilty of such a remark. It is not only without foundation, but it is a libel on this great theologian. I am aware that this phrase and this charge are often used in attacks upon Calvinism, and are so often repeated that, like the false " Blue Laws " of New England, they are popularly accepted as
true. But it is less known that probably the phrase originated in Burns's poem "Tam o' Shanter," and never was uttered or endorsed by any theologian.
One of the best read and most impartial clergymen of America, Rev. Albert Barnes, D.D., wrote :—
" I have been in the ministry for more than fifty years, and I have been somewhat familiar with the language of Christian theologians, but I have never seen a Christian who maintained the opinion that infants aro lost on account of the sin of Adam, or lost at all ; that I have never heard the opinion advanced in the pulpit ; that I never found it in any catechism, creed, or confession of faith ; that I have never seen it advanced or defended in any printed sermon, tract, theological treatise, or in any commentary on the Bible."
Until the reviewer can truthfully controvert this state- ment of Dr. Barnes, he should not use such an expression
in connexion with Jonathan Edwards or any Christian theologian. Whatever may be the vagaries of theological discussion, it is an injustice to ascribe this belief or thought to one of the greatest and noblest theologians the world has known, and one of the most sincere Christians. Lot me add that since the reviewer refers to Calvinism in rather harsh terms he might consider the fact that Calvinism (or Calvin) is the only Christian theology which does not imply the possibility of infant damnation. John Calvin ascribed salva- tion to the sovereignty of God and never made it dependent on baptism. Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism, by making baptism essential to salvation, gave an opportunity for the assertion that the unbaptized child is lost. Certainly Calvin
and his theology shonld not he withheld this praise. I feel sure that you will give space to this correction, and so help to repel a charge so untruthful against a man and system associated with the truest progress of the world.—I am, Sir,
The Western, Theological Seminary, North Side, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Previous page
