ULTRAISM by J. H. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 11, 1862

ULTRAISM.

By J. H. Waggoner

ULTRA is a term hard to define, but more easy to illustrate. A striking illustration has just come under my notice. A discussion is to be held the present week in Hamilton Co., Ind., of the following questions:

1. The doctrine that the Son of God, Christ Jesus, was entirely unconscious in death, is, in the light of reason and revelation, infidelity.

2. The Scriptures teach that it is essential to the present and future salvation of man to believe that the kingdom of God will be set up—organized—at the second coming of Christ.

The 3d and 4th affirm that it is essential to salvation to believe that the dead are unconscious, and that the wicked will be destroyed. The 1st is affirmed by A. Walker, Disciple; and the other three by Wm. P. Shockey, Age-to-come.

Judging from the questions as stated, we should say both parties were "hard up" for something to do, or else they debate for the sake of debating. It is a pity that any holding to the truth of life and immortality only through Christ should stand in defense of propositions that are calculated only to bring the truth into reproach. If we cannot get an opponent to take a fair position, it were better to let him "pass by on the other side."

J. H. WAGGONER.