The Future Life by George W. Reaser

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 28, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 38.

The Future Life

By George W. Reaser

Is It a Subject of Scientific Demonstration? or Is It a Matter of Faith?

By GEORGE W. REASER

UNDER the above caption, there appeared in the Los Angeles Times of recent date an excellent editorial on the subject of spiritism. To the end that some of the thoughts contained therein may reach a class of interested readers who do not have access to said journal, we quote the following extracts from it:

“Mankind instinctively shrinks from the belief . . . that with death one passes out of existence. To destroy the hope of life beyond the grave is to take from mankind that which is most comforting in time of sorrow, which most lessens the pang of parting with loved ones, which is the most potent incentive to uprightness in this life, the greatest consolation in misfortune, and the most powerful incentive to noble conduct. No lover of humanity will willingly destroy that belief in his fellows.”

OUTSIDE THE DOMAIN OF SCIENCE

“But the future life is a subject of faith, and not of scientific demonstration. It cannot be demonstrated, for it is outside the domain of that portion of science which the human mind can comprehend. And whoever, by the application of scientific processes, attempts to demonstrate that which is not demonstrable, is more likely to destroy faith than to induce scientific conviction.

“When, for example, Sir Oliver Lodge, a man of unquestioned scientific attainments, says that he has talked with friends who have passed from earth, we do not believe him. We do not doubt that he thinks he has held converse with disembodied spirits, because his character forbids us to assume deception. . . .”

“Among the faculties with which we are endowed is that of reason. And it is not compatible with reason that spirits living about us and among us, interested in us and in human affairs as when living, of wisdom and efficiency unattainable to those still in the flesh, with affection for their friends as warm as when still on earth, and desire to be helpful as earnest as when living, should communicate here and there with some particular person, and neither to him or to any, communicate any information of any value whatever to anybody.”

UPSETTING FURNITURE NO EVIDENCE

Continuing, the writer asserts that with the eye of alleged science, we see disembodied spirits “in such useless and ridiculous services as tipping over furniture and befuddling the minds of earnest and honest living men.

“Of all the useless and worse than useless objects of human thought and effort, the speculations of what is called psychic research are the most discomforting and the most disheartening. Our hopes of future life must rest on faith — not science.”

“THE DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE”

It is emphatically true that hope in the future life must be a matter of faith; and there is no sound basis for faith except the word of God. One of old raised the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Job 14:14. Speaking under inspiration, another of the ancients gives an affirmative answer: “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.” Isa. 26:19. And the Prince of life said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25.

The introductory thought in the above editorial is the sublime theme which occupied the pen of the apostle to the gentiles when he wrote the words, “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [dead], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Then after a graphic description of the second coming of Christ and of the resurrection of the righteous dead, he adds, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” And this hope, this comfort, he bases upon that great truth, fundamental to the plan of salvation, “that Jesus died and rose again.” 1 Thess. 4: 13-18.