d to contend, arose from the prejudices of a Heathen or Jewish
education, and from a very imperfect knowledge of Christianity. But, at
the present period, the undiminished hostility, which is displayed
against the pure doctrines of redemption, can be attributed to nothing,
but that hatred to the ways of God, which the Scriptures represent as
rankling in the natural heart, and for which they contain the only
remedy.

It requires but a transient view of the religious state, even of
enlightened and refined society, to see that to very many, now, _the
preaching of the cross is foolishness_. While any temporal interest
excites feeling, this theme is listened to with apathy. O, how often are
those statements, which fill heaven with ecstasy, rehearsed to vacant,
listless hearers! How many weep at fictitious woes, who contemplate the
bloody scene of Calvary without a tear! How many hearts glow in
admiration of the benevolence or heroism of a fellow worm, while
entirely unaffected alike by the sacrifice or the triumph of the Son of
God! How often do men express sentiments of the most fervent gratitude
towards earthly benefactors, who would be ashamed of uttering one
emotion of thanks to Him who _gave himself to die_ for them! And is not
this treating the Gospel as _foolishness_? But this heartless unconcern,
criminal as it undoubtedly is, in the sight of God, is not so fearfully
impious--affords not so appalling a disclosure of depravity, as the
absolute disgust and contempt, with which the doctrines of the cross are
sometimes received. In almost every community, there are those who
utterly despise the whole system--who do not disguise their
abhorrence--and who evidently hate the very mention of the subject. How
indignant are such at any effort, in private conversation, to urge upon
their attention themes connected with the dying love of Christ! How
chilling is the effect, when such discourse is attempted, in many
circles of refinement and elegance? And what a brand of infamy is
affixed to the human character, by the fact, that from most such circles
all these topics are absolutely excluded! Let a man confine his
conversation to such subjects as engaged the attention of Christ and his
apostles--such subjects as now employ the hosts of heaven,--let him be
accustomed in company, to bring forward the holy mysteries of
redemption,--and by how many would he be shunned like a pestilence? And
with what scornful hatred are those churche