Inherent Immortality by Mrs. M. W. HOWARD

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1863

Inherent Immortality.

By Mrs. M. W. HOWARD

SOMETIME ago an article of mine, "Rest in Hope," was handed by myself to one for whom it was partly written. Afterward the remark was gravely made to me that I was "confounding immortality and eternal life." My comprehension was too dull to catch at once the distinction, for I had ever accustomed my mind to regard them as synonymous terms. It was in a position that it might not then be discussed, pro or con, so I meekly received it, as it was designed, a poser, and laid it quietly aside for future examination. But after earnest thought I failed to discover my error, and made the following note as the result of my meditations.

At conversion we come into possession of eternal life—not, however, in its maturity or consummation, but, as it were, in its germ or seed form, which in a future world is developed into immortality: and Christ seems to recognize this when he says of the water he gives, "It shall be in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

I was again aroused to this subject by a recent sermon to which I listened intently, little thinking that interest was to be so soon intensified by readings in the Review. The text, "the thing that hath been, is that which shall be," was made to glide almost naturally upon the immortality question. The common arguments outside the Bible were adduced. That passage of Shakespeare, so familiar to all, was adduced: "It must be so, Plato, thou reasonest well. Else why this pleasing hope, this fond desire, this longing after immortality," &c. But the speaker had the frankness to admit that all this was no proof, for the words of inspiration were the only unerring guide.

He had now come to the point, and my interest was complete, watching for what I knew he could not give upon divine authority. But in a moment he was off, with the bare assertion, that "if the Bible was full of immortality, that settled the matter incontrovertibly." Yes, said I, mentally, if. Did he use that "if" deliberately? Was he indeed so well informed that he must thus parry what he dare not fully meet? Had he read Olshausen's comments on 1 Cor. xv, 19, and on Luke xvi, 24-26? Had he met remarks on this from Luther, Dr. Dick, and others, whose sayings all Christendom venerates? I know not; the dodge alone was before me. Yet, as he was a Methodist, he could hardly have been unacquainted with the fact that Richard Watson in Institutes ii, 83, affirms that, "the Bible contradicts this supposed fundamental truth,"—man's natural immortality. It must be admitted that the public teachings of the pulpit and of the press have not given a uniform and certain sound, and not till people are educated up to investigating for themselves can we hope for their disenthralment from the opinions of men. But how is this to be expected of the masses, since they do not require religious theories to be backed by a Bible precept? Indeed it has come to be fashionable to decry a systematic study of the sacred volume, with intent to form opinions.

Years ago, when attempting to convince a Romanist of the folly of praying to saints, he remonstrated, "but the holy virgin"—finishing the sentence for him, I added—"was a woman, a weak, erring woman, like myself." In dismay at my supposed blasphemy he crossed himself reverently, exclaiming, "Be decent woman, be decent!" Not unlike the poor Romanist is the feeling manifested by most Protestants when the subject of man's inherent immortality is broached. True, they admit that it is the gift of God, that by patient continuance in well-doing we are to seek for glory, honor, immortality, eternal life; for so says Paul to the Romans; but if you attempt to carry it farther,

their ears are closed and an ominous silence reigns, except it be broken by the cry of heresy. And heresy is a sad thing, since persisted in it excludes its adversaries from eternal life. 2 Thess. ii, 11, 12. But it is well that it be ascertained truly what is heresy, for it is no new thing for what one age has regarded as the rankest heresy, to come to be considered the soundest orthodoxy; no new thing

“That the heroes of to-day Were the fools of yesterday.”

Instance Galileo and Copernicus, little more than three hundred years ago, pining in a prison for teaching that “the world was round and turned around.” Rome and her minions raised the cry of heresy, and even the great reformer, Luther, had not sufficiently broken away from the fetters of error but he must leave on record, “That fool [Copernicus] will turn the whole art of astronomy upside down, but the Scripture teacheth another lesson, when Joshua commanded the sun to stand still.” But all the world knows it was reserved for science to demonstrate that Rome and all Christendom was wrong and Copernicus was right.

A different demonstration may be in store for those who rush as recklessly to conclusions which accord with their wishes. How often do we hear assertions from such as claim immortality in sin, which are such gross exaggerations, as to lack every essential element of truth. As if to say that the wicked are to be raised to suffer the pangs of an eternal death, was equivalent to saying the wicked perish at death. And if it be intimated that an inability to discern a difference, subjected one to pity, how ready are they to retort with a tinge of resentment, “We ask not your pity,” words which have actually been addressed to the writer. Nevertheless, we reiterate, we pity those whose judgment is so warped and fettered that they can discern no difference between lying down to rise no more at all, and lying down to rise not again, till the heavens be no more, and then rising to “everlasting shame and contempt;” between suffering the vengeance of fire eternally, or suffering the vengeance of eternal fire according to the Bible. Jude 7. In dismay are any ready to exclaim, Here is the boldest infidelity—a striking at one of the foundations of all Christian belief, as I have heard? Well, I cannot help it. But let such, instead of turning away with hands uplifted in horror, think candidly, look carefully, that they may discover if “the very adverbs, the very terms used,” do not show a perfect cutting off from life, and hope, and immortality, rather than the continuance of the thing spoken of? Mrs. M. W. HOWARD. Malone, N. Y., April, 1863.