Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1856
THE NEW THEORY ESTABLISHED.
By Jesse Dorcas
To the Editors of the SABBATH RECORDER:—
FROM certain conceded facts, upon which some geologists have built a theory that the earth was at some remote period in a fluid condition, and which they advance in support of their other theory—the great age of earth—I am led to adopt a theory entirely different. One of these facts, and the one upon which I base my theory, is this: In descending into the earth, the temperature increases as you descend; and assuming that it continues to increase onward in the same ratio, they draw the conclusion that the earth, with the exception of a comparatively thin crust, is in a melted state. To this I assent; but here we part. Their theory is, that the earth is cooling down from a melted state; while mine is, that it is heating up to a melted state. In support of my theory, I adduce the fact that from the lowest point in the crust of the earth where an observation has been taken, the temperature decreases towards the surface, until you emerge from the highest mountain peaks into everlasting snows. And this alone may be deemed sufficient to destroy their theory; for, from the amount of heat the earth must have given off in cooling to its present condition, and the laws of heat, the upper regions of the atmosphere should be the warmest.
Another fact which I bring to sustain the view that the inner crust of the earth is gradually melting away, is the constantly-recurring eruptions of lava from volcanoes, forced out by the expansive force of the solid substances of the earth in heating to a melting state. Close those safety-valves of the earth, and how soon would it be rent asunder.
I also have some authors, from whose writings I wish to quote in support of my theory. I will quote from but two; and though they may not stand very high in the estimation of the scientific, I think their writings will have some weight with the general reader. The first is one Malachi, who wrote a few years prior to the Christian era; and he speaks by authority. He says, "For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up." The other is Simon Peter, who wrote a few years later. He says, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up." The fact that these writings were penned before the modern theories of the earth were introduced, and therefore written without any direct view of destroying or supporting any of them; and the remarkable coincidence of a future condition of the earth, as described by them, and that which it will eventually reach according to my theory, gives to the evidence already offered such weight that I think it cannot be successfully controverted.
I will dispose of one or two facts, to which the advocates of the other refer as sustaining their views, and submit the question. And, first, the equatorial diameter of the earth being greater than the polar. This they assume was caused by the rotation of the earth while in a fluid state. But the assumption that the earth was ever in a fluid state is the very thing to be first proved. I account for this difference of diameter upon well known philosophical laws—the expanding force of heat at the equator, and the contracting power of intense cold at the poles; and if any doubt the correctness of my estimate of the power of cold at the poles, let them go and measure it. The second is the fact that remains of plants and animals, now found only in tropical regions, have been found in high northern latitudes. From this they argue that this region, in consequence of the internal heat of the earth, at some former period possessed the temperature and characteristics of the torrid zone. But I take the position, that the poles of the earth have been changed from the equator to where they now are; consequently, what was the torrid zone before that change, now belts the earth from pole to pole. These remains, with the bones of the Mammoth and Mastodon found in the temperate regions on the other side of the globe, where this belt would come, may be deemed conclusive on this point. But let me ask: Is it not much more probable that the elephant found at the mouth of the Lena would be overtaken and encased in ice, by the sudden change of temperature, caused by such a change of the poles, than it would by the slow and gradual change consequent upon their theory of the cooling of the earth? And here, in the sudden change of the rotary motion of the earth consequent upon the changing of its poles, I have, probably, by chance, stumbled upon the proximate cause that "brought our planet into a state of" slight "ruin." If so, it must settle the important question how long the elephant found at the mouth of the Lena had remained imbedded in ice. And now I submit, whether their theory or mine has the better claim to be regarded as the true one? WHO KNOWS?
We Ought to be Up and Doing.
It is indeed an affecting thought, that of the present inhabitants of the earth, such a fearful proportion have already fallen victims to the teachings of the oracles of Satan, in his last mighty work to ruin the world; that such a crowd of mortals are hastening (morally speaking) to the Judgment, without God, and a true and well founded hope of eternal life.
But even this is not the most alarming feature of the case we are contemplating. It is with Bibles in their hands that thousands are rushing down the broad road, regardless of the voice of warning from the faithful servant of God.
If men and women will thus drink in this spirit of delusion as water, with Moses, the prophets, Christ and the apostles in their hands, who may say to this soul-blighting power, "hitherto shalt thou come and no farther." Only think for a moment, that in less than ten years about 2,000,000, of our race have fallen in with his Satanic Majesty's religion! Is this not wonderful? and yet they are looking for greater wonders. The following is an extract from one of their papers, the Spiritual Universe, Vol. III, No. 4: "Letters under supernal direction, have been addressed to different individuals in China and California, and we shall expect some curious results from this interesting movement."
We cannot pass this point without casting a reproachful reflection upon the American Bible Society's influence in bringing about this work; and it is growing fearfully since their colportage system has been increased, and they send the Bible out to the tens of thousands who receive it at their hands all slimed over with their glosses, with the "wine of the wrath of their fornication," both in their prayers and exhortations. Neither these nor their employees scarcely open their mouths but that they say men have "immortal souls," a doctrine, or assertion that has no support in the Bible, which they call the "Way, the Truth, and the Life."
I perceive clearly that the time has come that "judgment must begin at the house of God;" that we search our own Bibles, to see if we are not condemned by the same book that we are so zealous to send to the ends of the earth.
In estimation of the magnitude of the subject now presented for your consideration, I beg you, Christians, to view things in their true light: "view them on a large scale;" view them in the light of the Word of God, fasting, praying and on your knees. Arm yourself with fresh zeal for God and his cause. Let us all say we will do what we can; "let the weak say I am strong," or there may be blood found upon our skirts in "the day of vengeance, in the year of recompences for the controversies of Zion."
It will avail us nothing to have the truth on every point, if we do not do our duty to obtain of God a corresponding zeal to work. For "he that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Yours truly,
Fremont, O. JESSE DORCAS.
Communication from Bro. Gurney.
By H. S. Gurney
BRO. SMITH:—There is no better way to defeat heresy than by establishing truth. The sentiment of Newton illustrates this point; viz., "One professes to fill a bushel with tares; now if I can fill it first with wheat I shall defy his attempts."
I think I was never more interested to know the whole truth relative to the present time, future events, and the preparation necessary to meet the162Lord, than at the present time. Truth established by thus saith the Lord, the joint testimony of his witnesses, or a harmonious chain of events fulfilling prophecy causes a spring of joy in my heart, inspires confidence in God and his word and makes me feel that we have a foundation that will stand against the violence of the storm. God will vindicate his chosen. "Yet the Son of man will come, and will he find faith on the earth?"
I tremble in view of what threatens the faith of the elect. Almost every principle destructive to genuine faith is now interesting the community, and their increasing strength is by the arch deceiver brought to bear against the faith of those seeking for truth. We cannot be too well guarded against influences destructive of faith in those truths developed in the closing scenes of the present dispensation. The Devil will work with all deceivableness, which implies perils on every hand. Jesus multiplies exhortations on watchfulness in view of his second coming. Paul saw the perils of the last days and the danger of our being overtaken as a thief. This is not the time to sleep. We are in the last days, of which Jesus, the prophets and apostles have spoken. The signs of the times are very discernable by those who watch.
Again, Paul says to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration . . . that the man of God may be perfect," &c., yet John's vision on the isle of Patmos was a very important addition to scripture testimony. Jesus said, Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Again, If I go away I will send the Comforter and he shall lead you into all truth.
The Scriptures must be understood in their most literal, obvious sense. The natural man endowed with common sense may understand the Scriptures in their literal applications. Said the discriminating infidel, "If the Bible be true, Mr. Miller's theory on time is correct."
But there are particular portions of Scripture applicable to different ages of the world's history. As it was in the days of Noah, a warning was given; as it was in the days of Lot, a warning was given; and we might add, as it was with the children of Israel when they left Egyptian bondage; as it was in the days of Jonah; as it was in regard to the destruction of Jerusalem; a particular portion of truth was applicable; so shall it be in the end of the world.
Blessed are those servants who have carefully sought the aid of the Spirit to enable them to rightly divide the word of truth and give to each their portion in due season. But I wish to be exceedingly careful how I prescribe the manner of the Spirit's operation; there are diversities of gifts; but the Spirit is one; and God distributeth to every one as he pleaseth.
In the midst of great darkness when Satan works with power and lying wonders, and the faith of God's people is endangered on every hand, and God's word seems to die upon the ears of those who hear; it is reasonable then to expect that God will manifest his power in a special manner through the gifts of the Spirit in order to save his people from threatening evils. O that self would bow in the dust and we be ready to say, "speak, Lord, thy servant heareth."
H. S. GURNEY.
North Fairhaven, Mass., Feb. 10th, 1856.
ETERNAL LIFE.
By A. Kinne
"Life! life!—eternal life!"—BUNYAN
HEED not the Tempter's siren voice,
A deep with dangers rife;
Mortal! thou hast a better choice—
Life, life, eternal life.
Oh, shun the world's bewitching snare,
Its fever and its strife;
Mortal! thou hast a nobler share—
Life, life, eternal life.
Seek not for gold, 'tis shining dust,
Its love with evil rife;
Mortal! thou hast a nobler trust—
Life, life, eternal life.
Like Abrah'm, hast thou faith to bear
The sacrificial knife?
Then with the faithful shalt thou share
Life, life, eternal life.
For love of God, canst thou lay down
Thy life 'mid hottest strife?
Then hast thou won a starry crown—
Life, life, eternal life.—A. Kinne.
Israel’s Restoration and the Gentile Times
By Hiram Edson
THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES, And the Deliverance and Restoration of the Remnant of Israel from the Seven Times, or 2520 years of Assyrian or Pagan and Papal Captivity considered.
BY H. EDSON.
(Continued)
THAT a restoration of a republican, national power and government of the remnant of the Lord's people was to be effected and established in the closing scenes of the present dispensation will further appear by consulting Eze. xvii; Isa. ii, Micah iii, 12; iv, and other like predictions. The last verse of Micah iii, predicts the abolition and uprooting of the government, power and nationality of the Jews and placing them under Gentile rule, as follows: 'Therefore shall Zion for your sakes be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.'
'The house,' named in the 12th verse, refers to the house of Jacob and house of Israel of verse 9, as its antecedent, and is synonymous with the house of the Lord in the first verse of chap. iv, and applies in these three verses exclusively to the Lord's professed people.
I understand then that Micah iii, 12, predicts that the 'mountain' or government and kingdom of Israel should be uprooted and abolished, and the supremacy of Gentile rule over them would take its place, and thus their enemies would rule over them. But the prophet Micah does not leave them in this condition under Gentile rule without foretelling the restoration of their government as follows:
'But in the LAST DAYS it shall come to pass that the mountain (i. e., government or kingdom) of the house (or people) of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain (or government) of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob,' &c. Micah iv, 2.
By reading the first five verses of this chapter it will be seen that the government here predicted is a Republican government which tolerates and guarantees and protects the rights of civil and religious liberty, the right of worshiping God after the dictates of our own conscience under our own vine and fig-tree, or in other words, under our own government. Vine and fig-tree figuratively represent government. See Eze. xvii; Matt. xxi, 33-41; Isa. v, 1-7. Luke xiii, 6-9. Such a government as is here predicted, is found in the constitutional government of these United States of North America, symbolized [Rev. xiii, 11] by a beast coming up out of the earth having two horns LIKE A LAMB. These two LAMB-LIKE horns represent the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of these United States, which have tolerated, protected and maintained the heaven-born boon of civil and religious liberty, and hence were lamb-like in their character.
The declaration of independence of these United States reads as follows:
'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created EQUAL; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men,' &c.
The constitution based upon this declaration, pledges that all men shall be protected in worshiping God according to the dictates of their own consciences. 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'
The decision of George Washington with regard to the DESIGN of the Constitution is as follows: 'If I had the least idea of any difficulty resulting from the Constitution adopted by the convention of which I had the honor to be president when it was163formed, so as to endanger the rights of any religious denomination, then I NEVER should have attached my name to that instrument. If I had any idea that the general government was so administered that LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE WAS ENDANGERED, I pray you, be assured that no man would be more willing than myself to revise and alter that part of it, so as to avoid all religious persecutions. You can, without doubt, remember that I have often expressed my opinion that every man who conducts himself as a good citizen, is accountable alone to God for his religious faith, and SHOULD BE PROTECTED in worshiping God according to the dictates of his own conscience.'
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Hope, Faith, and Works.
By John F. Byington
THERE has always been, I believe, a spark of true godliness in the world; a few who have had their eye on the promised inheritance; and though sometimes they have been few indeed, God has always had a chosen people who would not deny his name, neither forsake his cause.
That the people of God have to encounter hardships and meet discouragements of a sorrowful kind, God's word plainly testifies. That their reward is not in the present world, but that this is a world of sorrow, the inhabitants of which are subject to pain and death, where a preparation may be made for a better, is equally true, and is found interwoven with the promises and threatenings of the sacred page. And that those alone who prove faithful to the end will receive a crown of life, may also be read from the book of our hope.
The experience of many years has taught the people of God that if they would finally reign with him they must suffer for his cause while they journey through the present world. And those who have professed the Advent faith for the last ten years have not found the way to be easier for them than for those who have been faithful in other days. But in living out what they have believed to be the truth, they have been rejected by their brethren, set at naught by those who profess godliness, but in words deny their faith, have met disappointments, have seen their hope deferred, have been betrayed by false brethren, and have seen the cause of their heavenly Master suffer by reason of unfaithful laborers. This agrees with the suffering part of a true follower of Christ; and I trust the hope of those who are yet faithful also agrees with the rejoicing part, which is, as expressed by the apostle Paul, a crown of life laid up in the everlasting kingdom.
That the people of God have not yet reached their haven of rest, all know. And that yet an important part of the work of those who profess the present truth is to be accomplished, the servants of the Lord daily feel. And a question of some importance I think is, What is yet to be done? The number who profess to believe the Third Angel's Message is large enough to accomplish much. The leading truths they profess now stand the test of the unerring Word, and cannot be refuted by the wise theologians of this age. It seems to me the lack is with those who profess to be laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. That there are faithful ones who are ready to support the cause with their prayers, with their substance, and with the example they daily set, I doubt not. But it is to be feared there are others who are not for the work wholly; and who do much to destroy the work of the Lord in this evil time. Sometimes the truth causes a sound to be heard in the land; the Spirit of the Lord moves upon the hearts of the people, and the truth takes effect; but how soon it dies away? Were half a dozen scattered here and there who could feel the truth, and feel that they were doing work to stand the test of the final day, I believe those who should hear their testimony would fear for the word of the Lord. Union is strength, is sometimes said in truth, and if the servants of the Lord are not united what can be accomplished?
Truth is worth much. If those who profess the present truth are doing the work of the Lord for this time, they occupy an important station. To do the work of the Lord it needs a decision of character which will surmount obstacles. In days past the resurrection has been the hope of the faithful. And for that hope a great cloud of witnesses have not counted their lives dear, have felt that they were pilgrims and strangers in the world, and have counted no sacrifice too dear that when they found a resting place in the grave, they might have this hope. We who live at the present time see that glorious day but a little way off. We see the christian course almost completed; and by strong proof are compelled to believe that ere many years or even months pass away the righteous of all ages will be gathered to mount Zion.
And if in days past the people of God have wrought righteousness, obtained promises, out of weakness were made strong, stopped the mouths of lions, by faith in God, and in hope of a better resurrection, what may not the people of God hope for now? If the people of God could once say, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, should be able to separate them from the love of God, what shall we not say for his blessed cause who may hope not to see death; but receive everlasting life at the coming of Jesus, and the resurrection of the just?
We will say with them, we are not of those who draw back; for we know that in a little while he that shall come will come and will not tarry. In view of which we are ready to go without the camp bearing the reproach of him who was reproached for us, and who is our hope, remembering that if we do our work faithfully, we shall be admitted to the marriage supper of the Lamb. J. F. BYINGTON.
The Constitution and Religious Liberty
The above is a letter written by him to a committee of a Baptist society in Virginia in reply to questions as to the design of the constitution.
Although the administrators of our government, the rulers of this people, like the princes and rulers of Israel in days of old, neglect, and fail to execute the justice, judgment, truth, and mercy which this constitutional government require; and although Jeshurun has here again waxen fat and kicked; and has so far departed from the righteous principles of the Constitution as to speak by their enactments of unrighteous laws, "as a dragon," and in their own degenerate course, resolve themselves into an image of Papal government, from under whose cruel and galling yoke we were but as yesterday delivered; and although our rulers yet exercise all the unrighteous power of the Papal hierarchy by the establishment of religious observances by law with the annexation of unrighteous penalties of a deprivation of the right of buying and selling, and of death itself; and though this people so far degenerate from the principles of uprightness as to perform their wonders and miracles of deception, and constitute themselves the false prophet of these last days, to be taken in connection with the Papal beast and cast alive into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, as clearly predicted in Rev. xiii, 11–17; xix, 20; yet notwithstanding this sad departure from the righteous principles of our CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT, the Constitution itself in its unmutilated form, breathes the lamb-like principles of a heaven-ordained government, which was established by divine appointment. It is called the mountain, i. e., government of the Lord, [Micah iv, 2.] and regards man in the same light as does Revelation and the moral government of God.
It is just such a government as is predicted by the prophets, and as might be expected that God would establish when the SET TIME to favor Zion had come; when he would arise and have mercy upon Zion, by setting his hand again the second time and recovering the remnant of his people from under Gentile rule, by bringing them into an asylum of civil and religious liberty, where they could be protected in the right of worshiping him according to the dictates of their own conscience, with none to make them afraid.
The establishment, increase and growth of this government is strikingly set forth in few words. Ps. lxxii, 16, compared with Micah iv, 1, 2. "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS; the fruit thereof shall shake LIKE LEBANON: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth." The parable of the grain of mustard seed, [Matt. xiii, 31, 32.] bears a very striking resemblance of the planting and growth of our own government. Compare together Eze. xxiii 22–24; Ps. lxxii, 16; Micah iv, 1, 2; Matt. xiii, 31, 32. It is here that the parable [Matt. xxv, 1–10] has had its principal fulfillment.
That the SCATTERING of the POWER of the holy people was accomplished and ended and that the GATHERING dispensation of the fulness of times was ushered in, in the year 1798; and that God did then set his hand again the second time to recover the REMNANT of his people from the land of their captivity, and GATHER them out of the countries wherein they had been scattered, we have clearly demonstrated in the former part of this article. And there is none other country that will answer the specifications of prophecy respecting the location and description of the country into which they are gathered, but this American land.
But some may object to this and say that they were to be gathered into the land which God gave unto their fathers and affirm that that is none other than the ancient land of Canaan and quote to sustain this objection. Jer. xxx, 3; xvi, 15; Eze. xx, 28, and other like predictions. But I do not understand these scriptures to refer exclusively to the ancient land of Canaan; for the land which God gave unto the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their seed is the whole earth made new, the kingdom under the whole heaven. Please read Gen. xiii, 14, 15; Acts vii, 5; Heb. xi, 8–10, 39, 40; Dan. vii, 27. Abraham and his seed were made heirs of the world. Rom. iv, 13. The righteous shall inherit the earth and dwell therein for ever. Ps. xxxvii, 29.
We freely admit that God will finally gather Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the true seed, the WHOLE house of Israel, even ALL of it into the land which he gave by promise unto the fathers, which will be the whole earth made new. But we here wish one important point distinctly understood, and borne in mind, viz., that there is a clear distinction between the final gathering of the WHOLE house of Israel; and the recovery or gathering of the REMNANT of Israel from the land of their captivity and out of the countries wherein they were scattered. Please read Isa. xi, 11, 12; x, 20–22; Jer. xxx, 10; Eze. xxxiv, 11–13. This recovery and gathering of the REMNANT is prior and PREPARATORY to the final gathering into the land of Israel given by promise unto the fathers. In like manner as when God set his hand the first time to recover his people from their Egyptian bondage, he gathered them out of Egypt the land of their captivity into the wilderness to prove and test their loyalty to him by the requirement of obedience to the righteous rules of his moral government as a CONDITION and necessary PREPARATION to enter in and possess the land of Canaan. See Deut. viii, 1, 2; vi, 17, 18; iv, 1.
So also in like manner when he set his hand again the second time to recover the REMNANT of his people, he gathers them out of the land of their captivity, the countries wherein they were scattered and brings them into the WILDERNESS, where they are again the second time tried, and their loyalty proved by the requirement of faithful obedience to the same righteous rules of his moral government, as the CONDITION and necessary PREPARATION before they can enter the land of Israel, the whole earth made new, given by promise unto the fathers. Accordingly we find it written, [Eze. xx, 33–38.] "As I live saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: (that is to say, during the 2520 years captivity after which) 'I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, (as in the French revolution,) and I will bring you into the WILDERNESS of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. LIKE as I pleaded with your fathers in the WILDERNESS of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the BOND of the COVENANT: and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they SHALL NOT enter into the land of Israel, (the earth made new,) and ye shall know that I am the Lord.'"
Again, [Micah vii, 14–16.] "Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the WOOD, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. ACCORDING to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto him marvelous things. The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might," &c. "And they shall dwell safely in the WILDERNESS and sleep in the WOODS." Eze. xxxiv, 25. Also Hosea ii, 14, 15. "Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the WILDERNESS, and speak COMFORTABLY unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope; and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt."
Once more we read Isa. xl, 1–10. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye COMFORTABLY to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her appointed time (margin) is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the WILDERNESS, PREPARE ye the way of the Lord, make strait in the DESERT a highway for our God." O Zion that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain: O Jerusalem that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! Behold the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold his reward is with him, and his work before him." Verses 9, 10.
(To be Continued.)
ANNIHILATION.
By John Dorcas Jr.
MR. EDITOR:—Having been furnished, by a brother of mine, with the Review and Herald, I see you advocate, and try to prove the entire consumption of the wicked at the day of Judgment, together with several other things which to me appear contrary to the word of God, which I will not notice in this communication.
As it regards the present subject I would remark that it is a doctrine that the wicked, and unbelieving world have longed, and earnestly desired might be true. Interrogate the Infidel on the subject and he glories in the idea, that death is an eternal sleep; and even common sinners that make no pretensions to scientific infidelity, would rejoice if the doctrine were true; and me thinks it will be a matter of rejoicing to a large portion of the wicked, if you can prove this to be a Bible doctrine; for they care not for the glories of heaven so they can but revel in sin here in all its delusive pleasures, and carnal indulgences. They will say let us eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die.
This is not merely theory; but it is the experience of thousands; and some of this very class when brought to grapple with the grim monster Death, have exclaimed, Dying is nothing, but Oh! eternity! the future! I am going to hell! and other expressions of similar import. Now I ask, Why all this fearful foreboding, if there be no future punishment of the wicked, but simply a state of unconsciousness till the Judgment, at which time they will be raised in order that they may die the second death which you say is to be an everlasting state of unconsciousness. If this be the unmistakable doctrine of the Bible, plainly taught, why do not those persons be calm in the hour of dissolution, and trust to what they all their life time hoped might be true; I can't solve the question.
It is said, [Luke. xx, 47.] of a certain class of persons, "And these shall receive greater damnation." I would like to know how this can be if all the wicked are to be utterly destroyed, or consumed, to be burned up root and branch. How can it be said with any propriety that some will receive greater damnation than others, if this be the correct understanding of those texts in reference to the wicked.
Another idea: Can insensible matter be said to suffer, or endure punishment. It is said of the wicked, that they shall go away into everlasting punishment and other scriptures conveying the same idea would naturally convey to the mind, the idea of a sensitive being, instead of one that is destroyed, consumed, or annihilated.
'Tis true there has been a great amount of Scriptures quoted to substantiate the doctrine in question but I have seen nothing that fully satisfies my mind on the subject; I have been considering the subject for some time but thus far have not been satisfied that yours is the Bible doctrine on this as well as some other subjects of which I shall not speak now.