The abuse of any creature of God, is no argument against the use of it. Nor is the abuse or improper application of a word or phrase, any reason or argument against its proper use and application. The word experience was not in popular favor in the reign of James I., when our commonly received version of the Sacred Writings was made. They gave it to us only five times in the whole volume, and the word experiment but once.

      But it may be said that the Greek dokimee, was not in much more favor with the apostles of Christ, for none but Paul ever used it, and he but seven times in all his epistles; and for it, in these passages, King James "authorized" the English word experience twice; proof, three times; experiment, once; and trial, once.

      Its pedigree is remarkable. It is the first-born of Patience, and the mother of Hope, whose descendants are Love, Peace and Joy. The family is illustrious, and yet, like many illustrious families, it is of rather ignoble and obscure origin. It is lineally and naturally descended from Tribulation, and, farther than this, its genealogy is not known. Strange, indeed, that Joy, one of the most noble creatures in the heraldry of earth, should be a remote descendant of Tribulation. The whole family known on earth, in all the records of time, are Tribulation, Patience, Experience, Hope, Joy. This grand descendant of Tribulation was, unfortunately, first miscalled Experience, till, on its baptism, it was changed into Approbation, its most natural and appropriate name. Hence, the true line, properly traced [538] and legally named, are entered on the church records--Tribulation, Patience, Approbation, Hope, Joy. But Joy is the youngest of this noble family. The eldest sister is called Love, the second is called Peace, and the youngest Joy. I can assure all my readers, that I have consulted the ancient and true heraldry of this noble family, and can affirm, with all confidence, that so they are enrolled, each having its own signature and seal, witnessed by two of the Apostles of Christ, living and being present when they were recorded, as I have reported them, by a scribe wearing the King's signet.

      Now, then, on the highest authority, we shall always think of them, speak of them, and write of them, as so descended, and endeavor to treat them with all due respect and decorum. For a long time past--time out of mind--the history of this family has been in perpetual litigation, some claiming Approbation to be the parent of the whole family, and Joy to be the mother of Hope. But it would be an unprofitable and interminable discussion, to investigate the numerous and various suits entered in the high courts of metaphysico-theological chancery, and the reports of innumerable lawyers, and doctors of law, on the premises. We have found the true roll of their lineage, and shall hereafter regard the matter as most satisfactorily settled. But we shall, for our edification and comfort, occasionally refer to some interesting scenes in the history of this ancient and venerable family.

      With regard to Tribulation, it must be noted that when Christian Faith was yet in its infancy, it was, like Moses in his infancy, exposed to persecution by some of Pharaoh's wicked legitimate descendants, who suspected, from some remote tradition, that it was to take possession of his throne and kill off all his children. For this reason, it, with all its kindred, was cruelly treated, and finally banished from his empire. During these days of adversity, Tribulation was born and nurtured in the furnace of Affliction. But though degraded, it rose, through its connections, to a degree of respectability, and Faith, falling in love with her, entered with her into holy wedlock, the first born of which was appropriately named Patience. She was a beautiful creature, though of a tender constitution, and, when grown to maturity, was exceedingly amiable, and married Self-Denial, from whom Approbation was born. The family began to rise in esteem, and soon as Approbation came to maturity, she was led to the altar and honorably married to Truth; from whom, in due time, Hope was born, the mother of three of the most beautiful children that ever descended from one person, who, in the order of their birth, were named Love, Peace, and Joy.

[A. C.]      
Vol. 1851, page 373.      

Source:

Alexander Campbell. Extract from "Christian Experience.--No. I." The Millennial Harbinger 22 (July 1851): 373-374.

[MHA2 538-539]