THE CONSUMMATION OF THE AGE
Christ is on the wane; and that of the creation hangs but by a slender thread. . . . It is made a part of politics so to act and speak as to leave no trace of religion, God, and Christ."[1]
Dr. Dörner says, "The edifice of Lutheran Christology had been for the most part already forsaken by its inhabitants before 1750. . . . A deistical atmosphere seemed to have settled upon this generation, and to have cut it off from vital communion with God."[2]
Leibnitz in the earlier part of the century had said, "The state to which we are approaching is one of the signs by which will be recognized that final war announced by Jesus Christ: Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"[3]
Abbey and Overton say, "It was about the middle of the century when irreligion and immorality reached their climax."[4]
In 1753 Sir John Barnard said, "At present it really seems to be the fashion for a man to de-
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