True Source of Comfort.
By Editor
AN aged friend in one of the eastern States, has written a letter to us, in an excellent Christian spirit, criticising Bro. Canright's articles on the State of the Dead. We cannot promise to publish his article, which is somewhat lengthy, because its positions and arguments are such as are common, and well known to all who are at all acquainted with the subject. We judge the whole matter of controversy is new with the writer of the letter, who has lately become a reader of our paper. We therefore more highly commend the kind spirit in which his strictures are written. But one point we will notice because it has been so impressed on our mind by a recent occurrence. Our correspondent quotes Eccl. 12: 7, and Gen. 2: 7, and says here is found "all the comfort the true child of God has in this turbulent world," that when his body dies, "his better part shall live on" and dwell in glory. Against this we object,— 1. This comfort is derived from our nature by creation; not from that which Jesus does for us to redeem us from the ruin of the fall. That hope which is based on our natural relations is no hope at all. We therefore say that the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, even if it were true, could not be a gospel doctrine. All gospel truths and hopes grow out of the work of Christ for human redemption. But the immortality of the soul is in no wise connected with the work of redemption, for no one ever pretends that it is contingent. The immortality brought to light in the gospel is contingent; it is to be sought for, and put on. See 2 Tim. 1: 10; Rom. 2: 7; 1 Cor. 15: 53, 54. And they who do not seek for it will never receive it. Immortality is conferred—it is the gift of God, through Christ. We will not further notice that the inferences from Eccl. 12 and Gen. 2 are not by any means necessary, as proving the "living on" of any part of man. We leave that with the articles of Bro. Canright. 2. The Scriptures never offer the nature of man as the source of comfort, concerning those who fall asleep. In "Jesus and the resurrection" is found the true source of comfort and consolation. Jesus himself pointed the weeping sisters of Lazarus to the resurrection, and not to any intermediate "living on of the better part." Paul's words are pointed and decisive. He says, "Comfort one another with these words." What are "these words," to which he referred? He had just told them they should not mourn as those who have no hope. But what is their hope? (1) The Lord himself will come. (2) The dead in Christ will rise. (3) We shall be translated—caught up with them, and so—in this manner, and with them—shall we ever be with the Lord. These are comforting words,—they are words of truth. "This we say unto you by the word of the Lord," said the apostle. It is not based on the speculations of science, falsely so-called, nor the deductions of philosophy, nor even on inferences from the word of the Lord. It is the direct "word of the Lord" itself. It is sure. It is an unfailing source of comfort and consolation. 3. We object to the view of our correspondent, because it is as applicable, as available, to the infidel, or the spiritualist, as to the Christian. A true Bible hope—a Christian hope, and comfort—must be peculiar to a Bible believer, or to one who lives a Christian life. But a hope (if it can be called a hope) which is based on the immortality of the soul, or on the nature which man possesses by his creation, belongs to every son of Adam, without regard to character. Did Christ ever purchase an immortal soul for anybody? He purchased the right of immortality, which all may receive by accepting the means presented in the gospel. The "occurrence" to which we refer above, is this. In San Jose, Cal., there is a "haunted house," so reputed. It is occupied by spiritualists. A young man of the family, who was a printer and formerly worked in the office of the San Jose Mercury, died of consumption. During his sickness manifestations are said to have occurred, which were regarded as "affording consolation and comfort in giving tokens of the life beyond." Since his death these have increased, in the sight of those who are not spiritualists as well as of those who are. Concerning these the father writes:— "A heavy body was heard falling upon the floor, startling every one in the house. Doors were slammed, and numerous raps upon the window-glass were heard. Electric lights were observed, and the spirit of a man well-known in this community was seen, and correctly described as one who had committed suicide in this house previous to my occupation of it. Thus the shadow and gloom of death has been lifted a little from our hearts by these physical manifestations of spirit life." This may afford "a little" relief to those who are in the darkness of nature, who have no knowledge of the gospel of God's dear Son. But how a professed follower of Christ, a reader of the Bible, can build his hope on the vague idea that he possesses "a better part" by his natural constitution, which "shall live on" independent of the gospel and of gospel means, seems truly mysterious. It shows how greatly are needed such articles as Bro. Canright is now furnishing to this paper, to dispel the darkness of nature and of traditional superstition.