3. See a reason why it ought to be rejected because it is an ancient devilish doctrine.
4. See a reason why satan is such a mortal enemy to the promises of the Bible, for it says, “Christ came to destroy the devil.” Heb. ii. “Will make an end of sin.” Dan. ix. “Behold the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world.” “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the world.”
5. He hates the gospel, because it is “good news, glad tidings”—is the “glorious gospel of the blessed God”—“gospel of the grace of God”—“gospel of our salvation”—“gospel of peace.”
6. He hates the true Christ, because he will save the world from sin, error, and death. “We have seen and do testify that this is the Christ the Savior of the WORLD.” When the world shall be saved, satan’s occupation will be gone.
7. See whence it was that satan exerted himself so much to convince our first parents there was no punishment in this world, because the denunciation of the Almighty was true, and he was afraid that Adam and Eve would continue in the belief of it, and so not believe in endless punishment in eternity—his favorite doctrine. If there was no proof of present punishment, satan would not be so busy in trying to convince men that there was none.
8. We infer that ministers should not be proud of their preaching. If they preach the true gospel, they only in substance preach Christ’s sermons. If they preach, “Ye shall not surely die on the day of transgression,” they only make use of the devil’s old notes that he delivered about six thousand years ago.
9. It is probable that Orthodoxy will still prevail, since this preacher is still alive, and not in the least superannuated; and every effort against him only enrages him more and more, and excites him to new inventions and exertions to build up his cause.
To close the subject. As the author of this discourse has spoken of the character of satan, he trusts no one will feel himself personally injured by this short sermon. But should any imbibe a degree of friendship for this aged deceiver, and think that I have not treated this Orthodox preacher with that respect and veneration he justly deserves, let them be so kind as to point it out, and I will most cheerfully retract; for it has ever been a maxim with me, “Render unto all their due.”
This was too much for the three preachers present so they left in a hurry, when I reached the “inferences.” As they were marching out, I remarked, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth.” They intended an insult by throwing that tract in my face; but the new dress in which I returned their tract kindled their wrath; and leaving the house as they did, was an acknowledgment, that they were defeated. The congregation fully appreciated the “situation,” and two or three zealous hearers clapped their hands as the preachers were departing.
Mr. Lewis, with whom I debated in Springfield, sent me word, that if I should visit Jerseyville, Ill., his church would be at my service. Accordingly, I made an appointment in that place, and Mr. Lewis took a seat with me in the desk. I told him I was perfectly willing he should make any strictures on my discourse he might see proper. “Oh, no,” said he, “I have invited you into my pulpit, and it would not be proper for me to reply to your discourse.” In my sermon, I said nothing about other creeds, but presented my own faith in as clear a light as possible. Mr. Lewis, at my request, made the closing prayer, and such a prayer was never before or since heard, I think. He took up my discourse, item by item, systematically, and replied to it. He would first tell the Lord what the speaker had said on a given point, and then say, “O Lord, thou knowest that is not true, for by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, thou said”—and then he would quote from the Bible. Having argued that point to his satisfaction, he would take up another subject; and so on till he got through with my discourse. Having finished his reply, I told the congregation I did not like that way of debating; but he said, “I would as soon debate on my knees as on my feet.” Before I left town, we made arrangements for a written discussion in the Golden Era. He was to write twelve letters; but, having written six of them he sickened and died. I called on him during his sickness, at Jacksonville, and he said, “Brother Manford, if I do not go to heaven this time, I will not work as hard as I have done. I have broken myself down by hard work—by trying to save souls.”