Joseph A. Benton Collection

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Joseph A. Benton came to California in 1849, during the gold rush. He first settled in Sacramento, where he founded the First Congregation Church in 1851. He was a pastor for many years as well as a professor of Biblical literature at Pacific Theological Seminary. This collection consists of correspondences and sermons dating from 1848 to 1893. Please note that historical materials in the Gold Rush Collections may include viewpoints and values that are not consistent with the values of the California State Library or the State of California and may be considered offensive. Materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period but views are in no way endorsed by the State Library. The California State Library’s mission is to provide credible information services to all Californians and, as such, the content of historical materials should be transcribed as it appears in the original document.

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(5) [centered]

III How is it that Cs [Christ's] docts [doctrines] have power to evince themselves?

1. All religious truth have a self-com -mending power. Minds are made for truth – they have nat. [natural] relish for it – & when we are honest – we shall love it & do it.

Bible truths challenge our respect – security – obedience – our admiration – our love –!

2. Bible truths – when practiced – tend to make holy – Christlike – & are therefore of G. [God] – None reject them but those who wish to live in sin.

3. These truths cheer, – support, – sustain in every dark hour – & as such Xs. [Christians] cling to them as friends, supporters, deliverers. Never can give them up – never will part with them. (E. G. Peasant & Sophist. [Sophisticate])

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(6) [centered]

Men who have esoteric kn. [knowledge] of Gs [God's] truth, are never in fear & doubt & trembling – they have felt – they know. They have their hearts assured; they are unmoved can bide their time.

Error is always taking alarm – Ever anxious Ever distressed – Ever keeping in trepidation. Most listen patiently to what they – dislike – & even are obliged to prop themselves by going to their oracles – True is it – "Truth crushed to the earth."

4. Doing will of God he puts himself in good posture to get increasing light, & kn. [knowledge] of God's word & will – God's face shines on – there is a peace, a sunshine in his heart – his eye is single – & darkness & doubt flee away ~

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1. One test of true truth of Bible in first thing –

2. This is full mode of testing systems of doctrine

Effort to obey G. [God] best way to learn Bible ~

3. Are saying my hearers ready to make the Experiment Jesus proposes? No one has done it & doubted his religion Doesn't require great learning to be a Xn [Christian].

(vertical text)

At an Ecclesiastical Council convened by letter improve for persons in the South part of Malden deps on je to be forced into a Congregational Church, & assembly in the hall of the South West School, house in Malden, Mass 10 & 8 Le 8, were pressure, from the old South Al it on

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[written vertically across sermon notes] The Council was organized by the doc. [doctrine], It was opened with prayer by & lead

I Something to be done (a) Not simply to specu-late coolly about doc's [doctrines]

(b) Not to admit them to his intellect alone.

(c) But to perform the will of God in every form of wh. [which] we have mold any kn [knowledge] – or can have ~ II Shall know &c [etc.] 1 Familiarly Practically

2 In adaptation & beauty, Practically

3 In fullness & Efficacy. Satisfactorily – Jesus to be lead, fitted to mans nat [nature] & condition but an honest mind – and right heart ~

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c This extends to each person It consists in the reigning power of disobed [disobedience] – to God – setting as naught his authority – & refusing to yield him supreme love & service.

IV. When does this begin – Dont [Don't] know precisely – but this we do know – often very early – surely not till intelligence enough to do evil. diff. [different] perhaps in individuals – if grace of God supreme not – begins with first mor [moral] action – certainly – not necessity of it.

V. What the extent of this mor. [moral] perverseness = depravity ~

(a) To all the inivid's [individuals] of the race – (xeps) [exceptions]

(b) To all the mor. [moral] char. [character] of each individ. [individual] One sin separates from God – a wrong purpose makes heart all wrong –

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