Morning Star

For the Morning Star.

MODERN SANBALLATS.

The Bible reader well knows the course that Sanballat took to trouble the children of Israel in Nehemiah's day. Sanballat at first opposed, then ridiculed, and, finding that he could not succeed in that way, he endeavored to show him friendly, as though he was interested in their welfare and wished to have a conference with them. How much this appears like the Universalists in these days. They have tried opposition and ridicule; yes, how often has the idea of conversion been ridiculed; and, not in every case succeeding, they now show themselves friendly to most of the movements of Christians. See how it is with them in coming round the communion table, that solemn and interesting scene, designed to show forth the Lord's death until he comes; and then say he never will come! Why so hypocritical! I will relate some of the doings of one of Satan's servants, which occurred in Penobscot region a few weeks since, much of which I was a witness. Our brethren had been holding a series of meetings in various places in a certain town, and soon were to commence one in another place. While one of our preachers was on his way to meeting, he met a Universalist preacher living in the vicinity, who is about as arch a servant of the adversary as ever I met with, and if he cannot carry his point by opposition and ridicule, he will, to all appearance, join in the work, shout and say Amen, and exhort seekers to obtain religion. But at the time he met our brother, he used very hard language towards him, and said he could only compare our doings to Balak and Balaam sacrificing in various places in order to get the Lord to curse Israel, and thus, said he, you have been meeting here and there, trying to get God to bless you. But to make my story short, the good work went on in spite of opposition and ridicule, and this Universalist preacher attended, and finding that his opposition and ridicule had not hindered the work he now seemed much interested in the revival. Some have thought that in time of a revival, we ought not to be pointed against Universalism: but of late I have noticed, that great evil has arisen by admitting these wolves in sheep's clothing to insinuate their poison in the community, without being rebuked.

W. B. Hamblen.