Atone

n. [at and one, as in Lat. ad, to, and unus, one; i. e., to be as one, to reconcile, which is the primary meaning of the word.] To stand as a substitute or an equivalent for; to stand for; to make expiation. "The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood."- Pope . universally known. He supposes the knowledge of the fact to be nece ary to the formation of the Christian character, and its moral consequences to be a deeper sense of the turpitude of sin; whereas there might otherwise be danger lest that should be lightly accounted of which appeared to have been lightly forgiven; and also a new and powerful motive to a love of the Supreme Being, supplying a remedy for that selfish principle which might prevail, if the only motives to obedience were the hope of reward and the fear of punishment. - We have endeavored to state the doctrine of the A. in such terms as may be accepted by all who accept the doctrine itself on the authority of Scripture. - We have also without qualification called the doctrine in question a doctrine of the Christian religion; though we are well aware that there are some whose views of the gospel dispensation and interpretation of Scripture have led them, while fully admitting the divine origin of Christianity, to reject as unscriptural the doctrine of the A. But our space being limited, we are obliged, with due deference to all religious thinkers, to limit ourselves to the general belief. -v. a. To make reconciliation; to expiate; to satisfy, or Aton'er, n. One who atones. render satisfaction. "Or each atone his guilty love with life."-Pope.