The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-14
Note from Rev. Mr.. Walton.
PORTLAND, July -, 1884.

PORTLAND, July -, 1884.
To the Editor Of the Press.
notice, in your issue Of this morning, al
article taken from the Christian Mirror, "stat
ing the grounds of the Councils action" will
to does not fully represent my views, or my
statement OF them, trust you will permit
me, through the medium of the Press, word
or two, not of vindication, but simply of ex.
PLANTATION.
The writer of the article, while he states
the truth, does not state the ,choie truth; and
yet have not the slightest doubt but that it
was his desire and aim to do me full justice.
will notice the points in order.
/. "The candidate affirmed his belief that
Christians and Christian ministers, in proper
ton to their faith, are as really inspired as
were the Prophets and Apostles, and that
this inspiration is as authoritative TO them
selves as is the word of God.n
Yes, said so; but said more stated
distinctly that no one in our day could claim
from Others the same reverence for their
teachings that the apostles rightly claim. 1t
was simply authoritative to themselves. | al
so stated in substance that all inspiration was
to be judged of by thy word of God revealed
in the Scriptures.
At or about this stage of the examination,
was requested to give definition of Inspi-
ration. / replied, at is the active indwelling
OF the Holy Ghost, by which our thoughts,
desires and conduct are brought under the
control and direction Of the Divine will.n-
From this reply it is plain enough that did
not use the word 10 its technical sense. be-
leve "that Christians, in proportion to their
faith, are as really inspired as the Apostles"
but not in the same direction or for the same
purpose. They were inspired to reveal a
complete system of truth. That system was
completed by them; and inspiration in this
direction has only to do with comprehending
and illustrating the truth already revealed.
2. "God dwells in every Christian in some
such sense as he dwelt in Christi
shall simply quote text or two of Scrip
tnre to indicate the sense in which used this
expression.
'Il man love me, he will keep my words !;
and my Father will love him, and we will
come unto him, and make our abode with
him." John Ia %. GAS thou Father art
IN ME, and / in thee, that they also may be
one in u.s." John II 81. "He that dwelleth
in love, dwelleth In God, and God in him"
/ John 10.
distinctly disclaimed the Panthestc idea
that by Gods indwelling we were Dirine as
Christ was divine.
3. "The punishment Of the wicked may not
be eternal, bat end in annihilation, and that
heather and Others not having had the privi-
lege on earth, may in another world have the
offer of salvation"
This, too, is substantially as | said it. /
confess again that on these points my mind is
not entirely settled. 1 do not knop. am
fully persuaded, however, on points closely
allied to these, viz: l believe there is no such
thing as restoration in the case of those who
die impenitent beneath the light Of Christiani-
the future world continue in state of pun
ishment so long as they exist. / adopt the
language of Scripture: "These shall go away
into everlasting punishment"
4. On several important points, he distinct
ly stated that his mind was not made up"
The only important points, so far as | re-
member, upon which stated my mind was
not settled, were in connection with the iu-
ture state OF the wicked, as stated above.
In closing, permit me to express the hope
that the editor cf~the Mirror will give this
statement place in his paper, that it may
toiloic the one he has already put in eircula-
ton. Respectfully,
j. Z. WALTON.