The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-13
Universal Salyation-Why Not!

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Your correspondent "Ami" seems to be greatly
exercised upon the subject OF universal saliva
tion." He regards 1t as question of the utmost
importance" He exclaims, SIS there solution OF
this question: 1t seems as II there might be, for
this which is vital in religion, should be settled
hrst.n Again he says, "f we need new revea-
ton let US try to obtain that" Now, l would like
to inquire if this question or subject OF universal
salvation is really either vital question in religion
or If 1t is even one OF any considerable practical
moment Surprising 1t were well settled to the
satisfaction OF all men, either that all would be
saved or that there Is an endless hell for the
wicked would this universal belief change the real
condition of things in the other worldG Would 1t
change the actual destiny OF q single human being
who enters that wordP II 1t would not, then in
what sense can this subject be regarded as vital
or even a practical one in religion, and why
should men trouble themselves about the views
OF their neighbors upon this non-essential ques-
ton and separate from each other on account Of
differences OF opinion thereony Both Revelation
and reason teach us that heaven Is not pen or an
enclosure into which man can be let as a latter
o favor, irrespective OF his actual character or
life. Heaven must be within before we can
enter the gates OF the Celestial City. Heaven is
be gained by right living or by believing In the
Lord and striving to Keep His commandments, and
not 10y believing that We shall be saved. Our be-
eving or not believing that we and all men will be
saved will not change the final destiny OF "a single
human soul, unless IL In some way either leads us
into evil on the one hand or to shun evil as sin
and TO 1--we better life on the other. Let us look
a moment at what constitutes heaven and also
hell, what II is to be saved and what we saved
from.
We are taught in the Sacred Scriptures, and
more clearly and beautifully In the Revelations
made by the Lord To the men of this new age
through Emmanuel Swesenbors, that heaven con
sists in loving the Lord and neghbor and obedi-
ence to the UlvIne commands supremely and that
every mans ruling love governs his destiny. II
we love our neighboTs we shall neither cheat, de-
ceive, backDite nor harm them in any manner, but
strive to do them good In every possible way; ;
this will lead to unity and peace and TO the hap
piness which is heavenly. He'll consists in loving
SELL the world and sensual qualifications SUI
prcnely; or, In other words, 1t consists in being
governed by selfish and sensual thoughts and
and thus leading an EVIL life. TO be saved, then,
consists in being saved from thinking, will
ing and doing wrong, or evil, or from
breaking the commandments in thought, word or
act; and whether all men are saved, or will be or
not, depends entirely upon whether they are will
ing and DESTROYS OF living the life of heaven and set.
ting themselves diligently about dong so by seek.
ing the truth stunning evil and striving to love
and do good to ALL TIE Lord calls on all men to
lead a heavenly life. He helps all who try to help
themselves, and He with all good men on earth
and in heaven, earnestly desires that all men
and has no pleasure in the death of the wicked;
but If men are not willing to be saved-not willing
to be saved from SHINING nor from the selfish
qualification OF their perverted loves OF rule,
appreciation, money or sensual appetites-how can
tue Lord save them without destroying their free.
dom or manhood, and thus reducing them to the
level OF the beasts that perish which would be TO
annhlate them for mans ruling love Is the very
centre OF his life. selfish men In this world must
be restrained by laws and punishments from in
juring others and from interfering with their
rights; and, OF course similar restraints will be
required in the next world, for death Is simply the
putting OF OF the material body and causes no
change In O mans ruling love; and selhshness
never ceases TO court Ius envy, deceit, hate, and
make hell, and very hot one, too, If these pas
sions are not restrained. The fire OF hell Is sell
nishness In its various manifestations.
II your corresnndent will read SwedenhorG's