THE FIRST AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES.
By Editor
In the Christian Spiritualist some months since we noticed the following: "It is worthy of remark also, that we have now as in the days of Christ those who theologically deny man's immortality, as it may suggest other parallels between the eighteenth and the first century. Surely, Spiritualism is a necessity as well as an experience."
These remarks were in reply to an article attributing the parentage of Spiritual-intercourse, to the popular notion of a "state of conscious existence between death and the resurrection" with which the Spiritualist had little sympathy, although the writer like many others of the Advent Annihilationist school, might be well intentioned and reformatory in his sympathies. But who were those in the days of Christ who denied the immortality of man? for it is important to ascertain this, as we find teachers of error brought to view in those times as well as teachers of truth, and we do not wish to be found following those who by their traditions made void the commandments of God. Matt. xv, 3. The first distinct enunciation we find in the gospel record, on this subject, is recorded in Matt. iii, 12, made by John, the forerunner of Jesus, declaring that he who came after him would thoroughly purge his floor, and burn up the chaff (the wicked) with unquenchable fire. Point the Jew to a body consuming in the fires of gehenna, and immortality is the last idea he would ever attach to it. Here is a teacher of truth making the most definite declarations on a definite subject: The wicked shall be burned up. We have found one, then, who denied the immortality of man. He of whom John was the forerunner, soon came; and we find his teachings abounding with expressions like these: Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction: narrow is the way that leadeth unto life. Matt. vii, 13, 14. Fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. x, 28. Whosoever will save his life shall lose it. Mark viii, 35. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John iii, 16. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Verse 36. Ye will not come to me that ye might have life. Chap. v, 40. The disciples inculcated the same sentiments as their Master; therefore says Paul to the Romans, [chap. vi, 23,] "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Who then were they who in the days of Jesus Christ denied the immortality of man? Christ and his apostles! and we are willing to be found uttering the same sentiments however much they may be at variance with the cherished theories of the popular mind. True the Sadducees denied the resurrection. They would withhold a future state of existence from all whether good or bad; and it is evident that they regarded man in death, as in a state of unconsciousness. Christ replies to correct them of their erroneous views; but mark: did he tell them they were mistaken in their views of the state of the dead; that they were even then in conscious existence, and had no need of a resurrection? Nothing of the kind. He simply declares to them that there would be a resurrection, and proves it by the writings of Moses, which they professed to believe. Spiritualists may have little "sympathy" for the idea that their doctrine is the offspring of the unscriptural notion that man is alive when he is dead; but we ask, if all had believed the declarations of the Scriptures on this subject, that the "dead know not anything," where would have been the doctrine? The first spirit that had dared to peep, and pretend to be the soul of some dead man, would have been met with the lie in his teeth, and driven back to remain forever unknown under his chains of darkness. We do indeed find some parallels between the present and the first century. As then, so we have those now who make void the commandments of God by their tradition. We find a proud and aristocratic church, who treat with scorn and contempt the plain and simple truth of the word, and preach their gospel to any but the poor. And as Satan in the commencement of the gospel dispensation, gave numerous manifestations of his presence, so now he is accompanying its closing days with more wonderful demonstrations of his power. We trust also soon to see in these last days, a pure and apostolic church fully developed, standing in the clear light of the Sun of righteousness, and clothed with power from on high.