Lectures Illustrating the Contrast Between true Christianity and Various other Systems. By William B. Sprague, D. D. [pp. 524-536]

Sprague's Contrast between [OCTOBER
ism is to be attributed to two causes: first, the success which
attended his arms; without which his religion would in all
probability have died with him. And secondly, the ardour
of enthusiasm, with which he continued to inspire his follow ers. Never were men more actuated by strong devotional
feelings than the early soldiers of Mohamed and the caliphs
who succeeded him. Their religion rendered them invrinci ble. Their generals commenced the battle with prayer at
the head of their troops. Paradise was confidently expected
as the immediate reward of those who should fall in the
conflict. In this elevated enthusiasm, we think is found the
true secret of the successes of the Mohamedans in their military expeditions. It is true, the Greek and Persian empires
were in a distracted and enfeebled state, which rendered it
less difficult for devoted and ardent spirits, under the strong
impulse of religious zeal, to achieve a conquest over them.
We do not deny that there was something in the state of
religious sects in Arabia, and of the condition of the civil
governments in other countries, which were favourable to
Mohamed's enterprise; but we'cannot see a sufficient ground
for the prominence given to this matter in this contrast;
especially when there are so many other strong points, on
which the author has insisted.
The contrast between Protestantism and Romanism, in
the fifth lecture, is, we think, well conducted. The points
of comparison are 1. Their agreement with Scripture. 2.
Their conformableness to reason. 3. Their claim to antiquity. 4. Their adaptation to human nature. 5. Their effects on human society.
The sixth lecture, in which evangelical Christianity is
contrasted with Unitarianism is, perhaps, the longest in the
volume; but it is not too long. It is, in our opinion, eminently suited to subserve the cause of truth, and save souls
from perdition. The reasonings on this subject are commonly so abstruse, or involve so much of learned criticism,
that common readers are not much instructed. But the view
here taken, while it is just, is popular and convincing. We
would therefore particularly request the attention of the
reader to this lecture; and if he has been vacillating between
orthodoxy and Unitarianism, and still is possessed of some
impartiality of judgment, and some love of the truth, we are
of opinion, that his faith in the old doctrines of the church
will receive sensible confirmation, by the careful perusal of
this lecture.
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