Friday, June 19, 2015

C. B. Hassell's Creed

In chapter 4 of the Autobiography of Elder C. B. Hassell (1809- 1880) (see here) this is recorded (emphasis mine):

"The religious sentiments of C. B. H. in part were the following:

1st. One only infinitely wise, holy and Supreme Being, constituted by the Union, - co-eternal, of Father, Son and Holy Ghost - the “three that bear record in heaven”.

2nd. The fall of man, original guilt and consequent depravity of every human heart.

3rd. The absolute predestination of all things by Almighty God, including that of all his Spiritual Israel unto eternal life, through and in Jesus Christ, their head, bishop, King and Priest, who was from eternity deemed precious and elected for this purpose as chief cornerstone of Zion.

4th. The absolute that the Holy Ghost will find all the chosen in Christ, regenerate their soul, lead them unto Christ, and show them the way of salvation and the riches of their inheritance, pure and undefiled in heaven above.

5th. The perseverance of the saints in grace—their final conquest and glory, and the impossibility for all the principalities and powers of earth or hell to defeat, frustrate, or bring to nought, the purposes and decrees of Almighty God.

And these continue to be the firm sentiments of C. B. H. unto this day. Were things otherwise, all would be uncertainty and confusion and much doubt would exist about the final salvation of even one of the human race."

It can be easily shown that Elder C. B. Hassell believed that the new birth was accomplished by the Spirit's use of the word or Gospel, and the above can be added to the list of proofs.  Notice that he says that all the elect would be converted, that is, that they all would be lead to embrace Christ and shown the way of salvation.  Today's Hardshells do not believe this.  Did Sylvester Hassell?

Notice how the senior Hassell is against today's conditionalist Hardshells because he 1) believed in means, 2) he believed in the absolute predestination of all things, 3) he believed in perseverance.  For these reasons he would not be in fellowship with today's Hardshells.  So, how can they claim to be primitive, old, or original?

1 comment:

Kevin Fralick said...

More evidence which will promptly be swept under the rug.