Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-10-18
THE END OF THE WORLD.
Lecture by Bishop Marvin-How the u Prophecies
of Scripture Agree with Physical
Facts and Scientific TheOr

Facts and Scientific Theories.
Bishop e. NJ. Marvin delivered a
lecture to quito a numerous audience
lately, at the Centenary Nj. Il. Church,
corner Sixteenth and Pine streets,
on "The Doctrine of the Destruction
OF the World, as contemplated in the
light of known facts and scientific
theories" The address was deliver
ed without reference to manuscript
or notes, and in familiar and COLO
quial, yet at times earnest manner
In Introducing his subject, the
speaker said that since the earliest
periods no events of very general in
terest, especially wars, had agitated
mankind, without being especially
considered with reference to the APP
preaching end Of the world. Such
was the case in our late war. and the
present European war is no excep-
ton. 1t was not Cor this reason,
however, that he spoke upon the sub
ject announced. Eight years ago,
in the old Centenary Church, before
q crowded audience, he declared his
disbelief in the Millerite theory.
which was then engaging the atten-
ton of many wise and Christian men.
While he was not querulous with
them, be considered it his duty to
say that their faith was not based
on tenable scriptural grounds. He
took this,Opportunity tog give his view
of the destruction Of the world, which
he believed would certainly come to
pass. BY this destruction be did not
mean that the world wonld be ami
hilated, that its matter would 60 out
of existence, nor that its form with
relation to other heavenly bodies
would be changed, but simply that il
would be destroyed as a habitation
for man. He then proceeded to
discussion of the question, examining
1T in the light of known facts and
scientific theories to see if there
were any grounds for anticipating
such an event. He first urged in
metaphysical argument, that the
very conditions OF thought which
imply mutation give a fair presump-
ton Of the end of the world. Such
destruction can be inferred further
more from the physical history of the
earth, since, as there have been va
rious changes, through widely differ
ent 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 il occurred. The
previous changes have been from a
lower to higher degree, and the
consciousness of man realizes that he
possesses germinals which have frui-
ton only in future state. God has
given his promise of a new heaven
and earth "Wherever dwelleth
righteousness" which corresponds
with the physical facts already emu
merated. Besides these there are
facts within our own observation
which lead to the belief of the final
destruction of the earth. The great
deposits Of mineral are being gradu-
ally exhausted, and the earth Is be-
coming densely populated the rela-
tive land and waters are gradually
becoming changed. According to
scriptural teaching, the agency by
which the earth will be destroyed is
fire. The center of the earth, from
the statements Of scientific men is a
mass Of burning matter, and even i
this were not the case there are suf-
ficient combustible agencies in ma
ture, if they were liberated, to set
the world on fire in twinkling
Other worlds in the heavenly sys-
tenn have been destroyed by fire, and
why not this
The speaker was of the opinion
that il would be many thousands Of
years before this catastrophe would
take place; but that it inevitably
would, he had no doubt. He rejoiced
also 10 the prospect. Through this
means q sinful world would be REIN
of its dross, and all things would be
made pure and as each change here
tofore has been from lower to high
err, SO this last would elevate US and
bring man into closer relations with
his Croator.-St. Louis Democrat.
s@~ Somebody who got "bit' has
drawn from Commissioner Delano the
following decision in regard to the
liability of persons who offer to fur
nish "exact copies of fractional cur