MORISONIANISM. BY THE REV. FERGUS FERGUSON, B.A., THE religious body whose opinions contrast which irresistibly forced itself are generally thus designated (although upon his mind between the rustic apthe name is not adopted by the party pearance of his auditory and the ornate themselves), took its rise in Scotland and finished discourses which he had about twelve years ago. At that time brought with him from the South. He considerable excitement prevailed in was brought in his outlandish and solithe country on the subject of religious tary dwelling to the firm belief that the revivals, occasioned both by cheering Lord Jesus Christ had made atonement intelligence received from America, on the cross for the sins of all men withand by the reports of remarkable out distinction and exception, and therespiritual awakenings at home, in Kil- fore for his sins in particular; and that syth, and elsewhere. Mr. James this doctrine that Jesus had thus borne Morison, son of the Rev. Robert Mori- the sins of mankind was the Gospel calson, minister of the United Secession culated to impart immediate peace to a Church in Bathgate, had just finished troubled conscience, of which, up to his curriculum of study at the Edin- that time, he felt himself to have been burgh University, and the Divinity Hall, ignorant. This great truth he now with great success and eclat. At this burned with an eager desire to commujuncture he was visited with a very nicate to his fellow-men. Wherever he serious affliction, so that for many went, great excitement was producedmonths he daily expected death, and many anxious and convicted souls asked was led hourly to realize his possible the way to salvation—and many pronearness to an eternal world. When, fessed to find peace and joy in believing by the mercy of God, he was raised that Jesus "had loved them, and given from that bed of sickness, and was sent himself for them." Chiefly at Nairn, forth as a licentiate of the United Seces- Tain, Forres, and Lerwick, were these sion Church, his mind was deeply im- important results produced. A tract bued with an earnest desire to call upon was published at Nairn by Isaac Ketperishing men to "flee from the wrath cher, Esq., dated Aug. 14, 1840, giving to come.' His first appointments as a a calm and deeply interesting account probationer were to the North of Scot- of the astonishing awakening Mr. Moriland. When supplying a rural station son was the means of effecting there. in Ross-shire, he became deeply im- When he returned from his labours in the pressed with the idea that he did not North, he threw himself with heart and know the Gospel in its simplicity, not-soul into the Revival movement, which withstanding all his earnestness of spirit, and the ardent desires after personal holiness which glowed within him. His perusal of Finney's "Lectures on Revivals" had contributed to produce this conviction, but more especially the was then being carried on so energetically, and in which many ministers and preachers of the Secession Church shared and rejoiced. His correspondence, however, with the converts and inquirers he had left behind him at his former sta tions became so voluminous, that he faith, and assurance, which had been conceived the idea of writing a tract blessed to the salvation of so many for their direction, which would embody sinners, and had awakened the suspithe leading truths he had found to be cions of certain of his co-presbyters. so much blessed of God. It was accord- It would appear, moreover, that this ingly published under the title, "The little tract which had done so much Question, What must I do to be Saved? good on the one hand, and had caused answered by Philanthropos." The so much annoyance on the other, was principal topics treated in this publica- not to lie hid under a bushel, although tion, which afterwards became so fa- its author had been pledged to its supmous, and in a few years ran through pression. A Congregational minister in eleven editions, were, the malignity of London, who highly approved of it, and sin, the good tidings of salvation, the had found it to be very useful among suitableness of the Gospel for each in- his people, wrote Mr. Morison, to the dividual sinner, the simplicity of faith effect, that he wished to re-publish it and repentance, together with replies to in the metropolis. Mr. M. replied, that the difficulties which the author had he could not consent to take any steps found most commonly lodged in the himself towards its re-issue, nor give minds of inquiring sinners. Within the any formal permission for it, considercompass of the same year, (1840,) Mr. ing the pledge he had taken; but that Morison was called to take the pastoral he would not visit any party who might oversight of the United Associate, or reprint it, "with pains and penalties." Secession Church, assembling in Clerk's In this way a London edition was pubLane, Kilmarnock. Meanwhile, the lished, followed speedily by one in Duntract above referred to, had been exten- fermline, and two in Kilmarnock, also sively circulated, especially in the North by neutral and responsible parties. Matof Scotland; and, on the day appointed ters being in this position, Mr. Morison, for his ordination, two members of the without any private remonstrance, was Kilmarnock Presbytery, expressed them- summarily arraigned before the bar of selves to be so much dissatisfied with the Kilmarnock Presbytery, charged certain statements therein made, that both with heresy in doctrine, and disthey could not heartily join in setting ingenuousness in conduct. Under the him apart to the work of the ministry. first head, (erroneous doctrine,) the Mr. Morison explained, that he did not charges were- -1st, That he taught, that hold the Rowite heresy with which they the object of saving faith to any person, suspected he was tinged, nor did he was, that Christ made atonement for hold 'universal salvation,' but simply the sins of that person, as he made salvation for every man "possible before faith," but "certain after faith." He further explained, that he never could, and never would preach any other doctrine; but that, since certain expressions in his tract were offensive to members of Presbytery, he would suppress its circulation. On this arrangement, his ordination was proceeded with, the audience having been kept waiting in suspense for upwards of an hour. atonement for the sins of the whole world, and that the seeing this statement to be true was in itself saving faith; 2d, That all men were able of themselves to believe the Gospel; 3d, That no person ought to be directed to pray for grace to help him to believe; 4th, That repentance in Scripture, meant only a change of mind, but not godly sorrow for sin; 5th, That justification is not pardon, but that it is implied in pardon; 6th, That election Mr. Morison, however, continued to comes, in the order of nature, after the give great prominence in his weekly purpose of atonement; 7th, that there ministrations to those striking views were in his publications many unconcerning the atonement of Christ, warrantable expressions regarding the was, that he ever maintained that Christ died upon the cross equally for all men, and therefore in his defence he addressed himself at great length to prove that the atonement was a reme atonement; and 8th, that he taught that men could not be deserving of eternal death on account of Adam's sin. To these charges Mr. Morison replied, 1st, That the object of saving faith is the Gospel and the Gospel is this-dial measure, not per se securing the "Christ died for our sins, according to salvation of sinners, but merely prothe Scriptures," of course implying that viding it, to be subsequently applied by he died for all sinners, since all men faith in each individual case; and also are commanded to believe; that saving demonstrated, by an imposing collation faith in its nature is "a setting to one's of Scripture texts, that the Bible teaches seal that God is true," in the record he that Christ died for all men, without has given concerning his Son; that distinction and without exception. He whosoever believes a truth is conscious strengthened his position by quotations of believing it, and that, consequently, from orthodox writers in the Christian whoever believes the truth as it is in church, both ancient and modern, who Jesus, must be conscious that he be- held the same views on the atonement. lieves it; 2d, Men are able to believe On the charge of alleged disingenuousthe Gospel, because God has already ness of conduct, he submitted that he given them strength. We are not re- never used any active measures to cirquired to do more than we have culate the tract, but decidedly regretted strength to do; and if we were, we that he did not use active measures would not be responsible for not doing to prevent others from circulating it. it; 3d, He maintained, that it is the On the 9th of March, 1841, in the duty of all men to pray, but it is their midst of great excitement in the town duty first of all to believe in Jesus, and of Kilmarnock, he was suspended from that no prayer is acceptable to God, or the ministry. Against this decision he accepted by God, save that which is protested, and appealed to the Synod, offered up in the exercise of faith in being the supreme court of that church, Christ; 4th, That the Greek word, ren- which, we may here observe, in condered repentance, (μɛтavoia,) always junction with the body then called "The means change of mind, but that this Relief," now forms "The United Preschange of opinion always produces a byterian Church of Scotland." While corresponding emotion, such as sorrow these ecclesiastical proceedings were for sin, love to Christ, love for holiness, pending, Mr. Morison's ministrations &c.; 5th, Justification is not pardon, for during the first months of his pastorate, a person can be only once justified, notwithstanding all the charges of whereas he may be often pardoned; unsoundness which had been brought 6th, He maintained eternal, personal, against him, had been signally owned and unconditional election; but urged, of God to the conviction and conversion that since the elect are said to be of many souls. The chapel in Clerk's "chosen in Christ," the purpose of Lane, capable of containing about 800 election did not precede the purpose of persons, which had been very thinly atonement, but vice versâ; 7th, He attended before his ordination, became defended or explained the reprehended so crowded that standing room could not statements; and, 8th, He held that all be procured. Hundreds of persons promen are guilty of Adam's first sin, if fessed to come to a saving and sanctiby guilt be meant mere obligation to fying acquaintance with the Saviour. punishment, and that it was certain Numerous bands of eager worshippers that no man would suffer eternal death flocked to the chapel where he minismerely on account of Adam's sin. But tered from all the towns and villages it was quite well known that the "head for ten miles round. It will not thereand front" of Mr. Morison's offending | fore be matter of surprise that, with the exception of a very small minority, the church in Clerk's Lane adhered to their beloved minister after his suspension, joined in his protest and appeal, and appointed commissioners to represent them at the approaching Synod. serving of ecclesiastical censure. At the same meeting of Synod, Rev. Robert Walker, then of Comrie, now of Dunfermline, was charged with holding and preaching doctrines similar to Mr. Morison's, but his explanations were deemed by the Synod so satisfactory, that an amicable adjustment was effected. But the atonement controversy in the Secession Church did not end with the expulsion of Mr. James Morison. The Rev. Robert Morison, at the tenth sederunt of the Synod, in June, 1841, read a paper containing his reasons of dissent from the deed of the court which had continued the suspension of his son. His case came before the meeting of Synod in May, 1842. In the pleadings connected with it we see clearly that the chief interest centred around the question whether or not Christ's atonement had a special reference to his people and secured their salvation. Mr. Morison maintained that the blood of Christ was shed for all men alikethat as an atonement it secured the salvation of none, while it provided That reverend body met in Glasgow, on June 7, 1841. On June 8, Mr. Morison's protest was taken up, and occupied the court almost exclusively during eleven anxious and protracted sederunts. The case excited the most profound interest, not only in the city of Glasgow, but also throughout the country. Mr. Morison was heard at great length in his own defence, then the members of the Kilmarnock Presbytery; and again Mr. Morison was heard in reply. His speeches were most conclusive and thrillingly eloquent, so much so that they elicited the eulogy even of those who were his theological adversaries, and more than once the sympathizing plaudits of the listening hundreds. At length, on the 11th June, a motion, made by Dr. Heugh, was carried, to the effect that the suspension of the Kilmarnock Presbytery be continu-salvation for all, and that the salvation ed. Against this decision Mr. Morison of God's people was secured by the protested in the following terms :- gracious influence of the Holy Spirit Seeing the Supreme Court has given ordained in the order of nature subsesentence against me, even to my sus- quent to the purpose of atonement. pension from the ministry, on most The Synod, on the other hand, maininadequate grounds, I protest against tained that while the atonement of the decision, and I shall hold myself at Christ opened the door of salvation for liberty to maintain and preach the all, it at the same time bore a special same doctrines as if no such decision reference to God's people, whose salvahad been come to." Dr. Brown of tion it finally secured. On this simple Edinburgh, who, during the debate, point of difference, Mr. Morison, sen. had thrown his ample shield around his was thrown out in May, 1842, as also young friend and pupil, homologating were the Revs. A. C. Rutherford of his doctrines, although not all his ex- Falkirk, and John Guthrie of Kendal, pressions, at a subsequent sederunt en- in May, 1843. These two eminent tered his dissent against the deed of the and popular ministers had embraced Synod in Mr. Morison's case, and read the opinions of the Morisons, and prehis reasons of dissent. At a later ferred even to suffer excision from the meeting, however, the matter dropped, church in whose pale they had been as Dr. Brown did not insist that his brought up, had studied, and had minisreasons of dissent should be entered on tered, rather than deny or hide under the minutes. It is of importance, how-a bushel what they conceived to be ever, to notice that, in the estimation of Christ's precious Gospel of Salvation. that eminent theologian, the opinions The precise complexion of the question of Mr. Morison in 1841 were not de- at this stage, as distinctly exhibited by 66 |