The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-09
THE NORTHERN METHODTsTS.
SHALL THE WICKED BE DESTROYED ?-THE oUHs-
TloN DISCUSSED BY THE NORTHERN METHODIST
PREACHERS OF NEW YoRK--sTRANGE SCENES
AT A PREACHERS MEETING.
New York World, bIonday.l

Sllccl.
The following questions were proposed
for discussion at the next regular meeting
Shall the wicked he finally destroyed? Will
the wicked in hell finally become extinct !?
Are the future punishments of the wicked
permanent? Are the conscious punishments
of the wicked endless, or are the punish.
ments Of the wicked in hell parallel to the
eternal bliss Of the righteous in Heaven?
An elderly gentleman said that there was d
disposition to ignore this subject of hell
The foundation of the Church Stands upon
this question. II there is danger, let the
people see il. Why Shut out the light ?
During the past week have been approached
10y the members Of my congregation, saying,
II see that the Metbodsts are dropping
their eternal damnation." If the punish.
mcnt OF the wicked is not endless, then the
JOY Of the righteous is not. One doctrine
stands with the other. II the views pro-
mu!gatcd by Or. True be allowed to go I'M
answered it will make me desperate. My
very soul is absorbed. It's an awful thing
With me. propose the following: Do the
| Scriptures give hope that the wicked shall
| fual!y cease to exist? [Cries of Put him
| OUT"
DR.. True said that it was without any in-
| tcryentiou on his part that he was called
upon TO speak. lie had been patient to pre-
sent his views to the public. For seven
years he had taught them TO his flock with
| good results. / did not think that when |
| spoke endangered the souls OF those present.
II you want to reach the point propose that
the following proposition be discussed
That the eternal future Of the wicked is
not the eternal consciousness of sin and
misery; Or, is death, eternal death, eter-
nal puniShmcnt?'
Mr.. Corbett asked how punishment could
be eternal if the soul ceases to exist.
DR.. True: There must be difference be.
tween utter nothingness and destruction.
For instance, a house can be DESTROYED, or Il
tree, but it is a something. am so sanguine
| Of my views that l believe the whole Chris
tim Church will sooner or later embrace
them. If the other question does not meet
your appreciation, try this "DoeS the future
punishment of the wicked imply their eternal
consciousness" [HisSes.]
An excited member here sprans to his
seat. SAYING: eve have had too much of
this nj the last meeting. and the notices OF
the press have occaSioned considerable talk.
There is danger. (Cries Oh 'Amen.J We
are now to startle tue religious community
for ten weeks 10 come. when we should de-
vote our efforts TO something higher. The
devil is rubbing his hands glcctu!ly he has
never had better chance than the present.
Ii this question be adopted must read up
OH hell instead Of warning SINNERS from the
wrath 10 come. Are we TO begin the year
with this GcviIi>h or hcliSli cScitcmenty ]
have no objection that this theme he dis
cuSSed in March. | see reporters present
from this city, from Brooklyn, jersey city,
Newark, and other ncighborinS places. lam
not in favor Of tho discussion of this qucs-
ton with open DOORS [Scnsation.l
Mr. Corbett s%tl there was no use ignoring
the subject. 1t will not interfere with the
salvation of souls. Mr.. Wesley did not hcsi-
tate TO speak Of hell and ELIMINATION ;
why should we? Perhaps there may be
greater ones here than he. think this qucs-
ton should be discussed for the salvation of
souiS. If the doctrine of destruction be &C
ccptcd 20 about carclesSly; but make pun
| i>h,ncnt eternal and 90 along carefully. /
do not pretend TO be an angel j
am liable TO err, but when the doctrines Of
the church are assailed, rise to arms for It's
| defence. You tell me to be calm. cannot
when that which is so dear to me is wronscd.
| know that the discussion will do good.
! The reason why we do not get along faster
| is because we do not have enough hell in
| our religion.
\ vote was then taken on Mr.. McAliister's
| motion TO lay the question on the table
| which WIS lost.
1 tail gentleman addressed the assemblHge
| He was sorry that it was said that the Churci
WIS ambiguous. 1t would be unfortunate il
question of such moment be not discussed
lie was not in favor of having the reporter:
admitted. The press tomorrow would have
the proceedings of this meeting, and ths
world ut large would see that we ae afraiC
to touch this subject OF hell. If a brother is
so low as 10 be afraid Of altering bis views by
discussion, | recommend that he stay al
home and pray. In Wesley's time they
preached sermons on subjects like these "a
few groans from helt," or "a nut for damned
sinners to crack / hope we will act like
sensible men, and not as children. We
should not SlIirk from this question. l e
in for fair play. A voice: "Hallclujah }"
The next speaker said that if little intel
lcctual investigation be denied they would
90 where it would not be denied. One Of
the greatest hindranceS in the cause of God
is that the people are not impressed enough
with he'll. This preachers meeting should
speak with no uncertain sound. We want
truth. [Crics OF Celery ~ l want this
question discussed next Monday, and to be
continued until finally disposed of. "A
voice: "Put him out ~ l shall not be
frowncd down.
Another reverend doctor did not think
that this question was one of the doctrines
Of the Methodist Church, neither did he
know that lie was in mandatory of Meth
odist doctrines and creeds. The house built
by those shining lights OF our Church, he
said, was built. Shall we take out the foun.
dation stone aud show it to the world /
[Cres of "NoH1 We owe something to our
people. They have their convictions fixed
Are we authorized to alter them? [Cries Of
''Ye5!"] 49,,
The motion to postpone the debate until
the lirSl Monday in March was lost-27
to 10.
A gentleman moved that when they dc
adjourn it he to meet the first Monday III
March. [Laughtcr]
Rev. pr. Roach asked, Why do we pro-
pose to discuss the question ut this time? Is
IT proper to doubt that the future happiness
Of the pure be everlasting? have no doubt
that MIR. Corbett will DO the subject full jus.
licc. Hell was preached three or four hun
dred years ago, and discussed with avidity.
1t is nov settled. The wicked shall be turned
to hell. believe that nothing but evil will
come by the discussion Of this theme. Have
we the authority to discuss questions like
these il public? A voice: "Sit down..
These meetings have been reported and sent
broadcast. We are not justified 10 these open
proceedings.
The motion to lay the whole subject or
the table was lost by vote of ~ to %.
Rev. MIR. Merwin, the chairman, said thai