FOREWORD xvii 



had adopted the Calvinistic doctrine of the non- 

 elect ; tha.t I was one such ; that there was no sal- 

 vation for me. I became hardened and rather 

 careless in some matters. I say that I thought 

 that I had adopted this doctrine. I would have 

 explained my situation at that time by so saying. 

 I very much doubt now that it was a real convic- 

 tion. It did not take me long to discard it, at 

 least, when a way into the Christian life was at 

 last clear before me. 



All this' childish instruction I now believe was 

 an entire mistake, and seven years of my life were 

 spent in religious darkness, with great risk that 

 my alienation from Christ should become per- 

 manent, by the teaching that I needed an experi- 

 ence of repentance from sin, and a conversion. 

 I believe this without assuming that my childhood 

 life was without fault. I at least was not in a 

 state of rebellion against God. I wanted to be 

 counted among His followers. Actual sin should 

 have been dealt with as individual faults, as we 

 deal with all of God 's children, and not as a proof 

 of a depraved heart. 



If the following discussion shall save some 

 from such years of suffering, and prevent such 

 risks as I passed through, it, no doubt, will be 

 amply justified. 



W. ARTEB WBIGHT. 



Delaware, Ohio, June 1, 1911. 



