, 1870-08-02
ANATHEMA SIT.

Tbs Rev. Mr.. Fukon, from Boston,
has delivered TRADE in Chicago
10 prove that the soul of Charles Dickens
in in hell, because he DRINK wine when liv-
ing, aud had not faith. Christ says to Mr..
Fulton, "Judge not, that ye bo not judged,
for with what measure 70 nete, it shall be
measured TO You again" 1t would not be
very wide departure from tho Fulton
logic to argue that, for the offence of
Judging Charles Dickens into hell, Mr..
Fulton will himself go there There is
more Of the incubation Of len derness,
love, fidelity to duty, compassion
for weakness, sympathy with suf-
fc1ing, in the life-work OF Charles Dick
ems, than in that Of any one man of this
century. This may, or may not, mako him
Christian, according as the latter te1n
may he variuusly defined. But if he'll il
the future abode Of such generous and spir-
itual workers us Charles Dickens. while
Heaven is the arena for the display Of the
ecclesiastical co1conbry of the Rev. Fulton,
then commend us 10 the former, rather
than the latter. Mr. Fulton finds no cyl
denec, in Dickens life, Of his repentance. Re-
pentance for what? Repentance fordrinkiue
wine, and this, too, on the pretended Gu
hority Of the Bible2 Mas not Christie
first miracle wrought to make wine, in or
der that festive company might have no
lack OF it !? Does not Solomon command,
Give wine to him that is heavy-heartod,
and strong drink to them that are in
trouble. Let them drink, forget thei. sor-
rows, md remember their miseries no
more "a preccpt,' perhaps, more honozed
in the breach than in the observance, We
doubt whether Dickens aver drank to the
point of intoHcation above commended.
but, il he did, and must 60 into endless tor
mcnt for il, then will he meet there
in goodly company Noah, David,
Solomon, nnd others who mako some
figure IN Bible history. Paul, under the
full light Of Ch1astiality, tolls Timothy to
"dsink no longer water, but take a litt1swine
for thy stomach'& sake and thine often in-
htmities-" Christ placed vino, Is the en-
blem of his blood, in sacred association with
bread, the emblem Of his body, as one Of
the elements of the Christ i'm sacrament.
The sentiment Of total abstinence is taught
in the Koran and in the revelations of jos
Smith, but not in the Bible. Among Chris
tians it dates back scarcely one century,
and il confined to corner, comparatively,
OF the Christian Church. It is preached As
a sentiment by some excellent Christians
out II Is 10 moro part OF Christianity
than wounan's rights, free trade, protection,
or universal suffrage. Mr., Dickens cannot
bo condemned op any Bible standard for
the use Of wine, except by that class Of
theologians who absorb their
dogmas through the poses Of
their skin, from whatever fanciea happen
for the hour 10 float on the current Of pub
lie opinion, and then use the Bible as a
hammer and anvil when it agrees with
their fancies, and as fuol when it does not
From the following humorous illust1s-
ton, we infer that Charles Dickens, in Rev.
Afr. Fulton's estimation, must have gone to
hell for want Of faith, as well as for drink
ing wine:
I "chrisr himtelf Describes Dives and Lsxsrua
! One had his good tninRs III this ufe-iAme, for
| tune, harpinexS- The other wAs a bcxRxf. The
curtains arc parted. One is In he'll, c.J1ng
Tee othef Is u the bosom Of Ab1shan. The sui
divides them, bAeaas.< osh di<d in faith, and one
! died without talth.
Christ never told US that Dives died with
ont faith, OF that Lazarus died with faith.
| He never hinted, in the 1emotest manner,
/ that that was the reason why tho one was
| in Lell and the other in Abraham.a bosom.
That explanation is imported into the case
1 fn% hN ~