ROALAND LOASBY by Roaland Loasby

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1911

ROALAND LOASBY

By Roaland Loasby

Purgatory

ROALAND LOASBY

“EVERYBODY knows that Catholics believe in purgatory, yet few outside of the church seem to have a clear notion of what we mean by it. Many apparently think that we believe that all Catholics are saved, but that they all, except perhaps the priests, have to go to purgatory, out of which the priest will get them by his prayers, or by ceremonies of some sort, if he is only paid enough money for doing so. . . .

“The principal practical difference between us and you is that we are more strict as to what constitutes mortal or grievous sin. . . . For there are sins which are not grievous nor mortal. Such sins we call venial. . . . Now it is on account of these venial sins that we believe most of those who are saved do not enter heaven immediately. . . .

“Purgatory means a state of purification or purging from sin by suffering; it is, then, entirely reasonable that the soul not as yet thoroughly purified in this world should be in purgatory for a time, till this purification is accomplished.”—“Plain Facts for Fair Minds,” pages 111-115; by George M. Searle, Priest of the Congregation of St. Paul the Apostle, Professor of Catholic University of America.

This view of purgatory is contrary to Scriptural teaching. The Scriptures tell us: “The grave can not praise Thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit can not hope for thy truth.” Isa. 38:18. The patriarch Job declares: “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.” Job 14:12. The psalmist says: “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Ps. 146: 3, 4. “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Eccl. 9: 5, 6.

The foregoing scriptures plainly teach us what is the condition of the dead; and certainly any reasonable man will prefer Inspiration’s testimony, which is so conclusive, rather than Catholic teaching, which is so erroneous.

Naturally, we should expect the exponents of purgatory, since they are so emphatic concerning its existence, to tell us something as to its whereabouts. But ask them for evidence that there is a purgatory, and the following is the answer: “To this I would answer that we make it a matter of faith.”—“Plain Facts for Fair Minds,” page 127.

But lest I be thought in any way unfair in stating their position, I shall quote what they designate as their “explicit teaching” concerning the explanation of the doctrine of purgatory, as found in “Plain Facts for Fair Minds,” page 129:—

“But we have quite an explicit teaching or explanation of the doctrines of purgatory in the writings of St. Paul in the New Testament. It is very hard to conceive any other meaning for the passage. It is found in the first epistle of the apostle to the Corinthians (3: 11-15), and is as follows: ‘For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. Now, if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work burn, he shall suffer loss; yet he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.’”

The foregoing is the “explicit teaching” regarding this doctrine. When is the day of the Lord, which is to try men’s works by fire? The prophet answers: “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: and they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. . . . I will make a man more precious

than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore will I shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” Isa. 13: 6-13.

There can be no mistaking this language. It is “the day of the Lord” that is referred to. It comes not as salvation, but as “destruction.” The world will be punished for evil, and the wicked for iniquity.

Let us hear Peter’s testimony: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.

This leaves no room for a purgatory with the world still on its usual routine. No, it is at the end of the world that men receive reward for their works. Verily it is a day when foundations will be tried. The sure foundation is Christ; no other shall any man lay, not even that of Peter, and be secure.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.” Rev. 1:7. “As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24: 27. He “shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him.” Matt. 25: 31.

Nowhere in history has such a glorious event been recorded; but it is in the near future. “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.”

Bermuda.