everlasting burnings (moqedhé 'olam-Is., 33:14), their own spirit, as fire, shall devour them (ruhakem ésh tokalkem-Is., 33: 11). Such is God's word on future retribution, before which man can only bow in acquiescence and according to which he must shape his philosophy. Homan of risky CHAPTER XI. THE GENERAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH IN ALL AGES IS, THAT, IN A FUTURE STATE, THE WICKED SHALL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AND THE GLORY OF HIS POWER. Awful Characteristic of Retribution after Death as Compared with Earthly Suffering. -Anti-Scriptural Opposition to this Ancient Doctrine Notably Developed of Late Years.-Citations from the Gross and Shocking Views of God's Character which have prevailed.-The True Theory is that Punishment is the Inevitable Sequence of one's Own Chosen Conduct.-The Universe, alike Material and Spiritual, Founded on Divine Laws.-Order, Harmony, and Happiness, the Ordained Outcome of Obedience to these Laws.-All Disorder, Physical and Moral, is Produced by Disobedience.-Explanation of the Origin of Evil as Found in the Free Agency of Man.Man's Voluntary, Intentional, Unrepented Sin, alone Culpable.-A Vastly Greater Number of those Born on Earth will be Saved than will be Lost.-The now Favorite Theory that Punishment is Reformatory and Preventive, is Proved False by most Abundant Evidence.-Though Justice Involves Punishment in the Case of Intentional Guilt, the Acceptance of Christ's Atonement Secures Forgiveness.-Unequal Penalties Characterize Earthly Laws and Courts, but the Award of God is Unerringly in Accordance with the Deeds done in the Body.-No Additional Motives or Opportunities for a Moral Change Possible in Another World.-God is without the Shadow of Passion or Vindictiveness in Dealing with Sinners. By Rev. JOSEPH CUMMINGS, D.D., LL.D.,Methodist Episcopal, THAT all men must die no one denies, and there are relatively few who deny that there is a future state, a life beyond the grave, which, by its nature, is unending. It is a question that most deeply concerns all, and one that cannot be regarded with indifference, what will be the nature of that life. That those who are acceptable to God, the righteous, the justified, and the holy, will dwell in his presence, having endless joy and blessedness, all believe; but the great question is, what shall be the state of those. who reject God, spurn his grace, and die in their sins. The general doctrine of the Church in all ages is, that in a future state the wicked shall be excluded from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power, that they will ever be under condemnation, and will forever suffer the penalty of sin. We all know suffering and have a dread of pain, but the anguish we here endure is but temporary, and we are cheered by the expectation of relief; but the awful characteristic of retribution after death is, that it is endless, without hope of remedy or release. It is impossible for us to realize what is implied in such a state, and we shrink from its contemplation. We think a plain, candid man, who, without instruction from others, shall read without note or comment the Word of God as spoken by Christ and inspired men, must believe that for devils and impenitent men it reveals endless punishment as their doom. The record says: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep at his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, and these shall go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt., 25: 31, 46). cut it off; it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched" (Mark, 9:43, 48). "Fear not them which kill the body; but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt., 10: 28). "Unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall never be forgiven" (Luke, 12: 10). "He that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark, 16: 16). "At the end of the world the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire" (Matt., 13:49, 50). "The hour is coming in the which all "If thy hand offend thee, |