Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-10-13
THE END OF THE WORLD.

Lecture by Bishop Marviu-How the
Prophecies of Scripture Agrees with
Physical Facts and Scientific Theo.
ries.
Bishop E. NJ. Marvin delivered lecture
to quite numerous audience last evening,
at the Centenary NJ. E. Church, corner OF
Sixteenth and Pine streets, on THE Doc
trine of the Destruction of the World, as
contemplated in the light of known facts
and scientific theories" The address was
! delivered without reference to manuscript
or notes, and in familiar and colloquial
yet at times earnest, manner.
| In introducing his subject, the speaker
said that since the earliest periods no
events of very general interest, especially
wars, had agitated mankind, without being
especially considered with reference TO the
approaching end Of the world. Such was
the case in our late war and the present
/ European war is no exception, II
was not for this reason, however
I that he spoke upon the subject
announced. Eight years ago, in the old
/ Centenary Church, before crowded audi
ence, he declared his disbelief in the Mil
/ lerite theory, which then was engaging the
attention of many wise and Christian men.
/ While he was not querulous nor impatient
with them, he considered it hls duty to
say that their faith was not based on ten
/ able scliptural grounds. He took this op-
/ portUnity to give his view Of the destruc-
/ ton of the,world, which he believed would
certainly come TO pass. BY this destruc-
/ ton he did not mean that the world would
/ be aunihllated, that its matter would 90
out of existence, nor that its form with re.
1 lation to other heavenly bodies would be
changed, but simply that it would be de-
stroyed as q habitation for man. He then
proceeded to discussion of the question:
examining II in the light of known facts and
scientific theories to see if there were any
grounds for anticipating such mn event
He first urged in metaphysical argument,
that the very conditions OF thought which
imply mutation give a fair presumption of
the end of the world. Such destruction
can be inferred furthermore from the phys.
ical history of the earth, since, as there
have been various changes, through widely
different periods, it is probable that these
mutations will be repeated or others will
occur in the future In the past, also,
there have been atmospheric changes
which rendered the world uninhabitable
for those who occupied it at the time when
they occurred. The previous changes have
been from q lower to a higher degree, and
the consciousness Of man realizes that
he possesses germinals which can have
fruition only in future state. God has
given his promise OF new heaven and
earth. Wherever dwelieth righteous
ness" which corresponds with the physi-
cal facts already enumerated. Besides
these there are facts within our own OBJ
servation which lead to the belief Of the
final destruction Of the earth. The great
deposits of minerals are being gradually
exhausted and the earth is becoming
densely populated; the relative land and
waters are gradually becoming changed,
According to scriptural teaching, the ager-
CIV by which the earth will be destroyed is
fire. The center Of the earth,
from the statements OF scientific
men, is mass OF burning
matter, and even if this were not the case
there are sufficient combustibe agencies
in nature If they were liberated to set the
world on fire in q twinkling. Other worlds
in the heavenly system have been destroyed
by fire, and why not this
The speaker was Of the opinion that 1t
would be many thousands Of years before
this catastrophe would take place; but
that il inevitsb.y would, he had no doubt
He reioiced, ALSO in the prospect
Through this means a sinful world would
| be refined OF its dross, and all things would
be made pure; and as each change hereto
II, L. y,.l... t,sc
last would elevate US and bring man into
closer relations with his Creator,-H, Lou.
| Is Democrat.