, 1873-01-05
"ANNIHnAT10N OF TEE WICKED"

"ANNlHlLAT1ON u LIE W1ChEO."
For some years past there has been growing
conflict among orthodox theologians Of many
socta in reference to tho future state. There
are probably very fow among the educated class
Of Christians who believe in literal lake OF fire
and birthstone aud not mnny who believe in
that pe1sonal devil at whom Luther hurled his
inkstand, and who held converse with tho
witches Of Salem. He has been grad.
ua1ly fading out of popular sight,
from & personal entity into IN idea.
1t is not long since Henry Ward Beecher' ban
ished him from the realms Of his theology, aud,
as Mr. Deecher is an oracle OF Congregational
ism, VIC may reasonably presume that that sect
is coming to take the same view, especially as
Mr. Beeche1's declaration has provoked no hos
tile c1iticsm-certainly no church discipline.
Ono or two Of the more rigid sects, however,
have c1ung to the o1d~time views very tenacious
ly, but thore arc signs TINT evon these arc
beginning to divide. On Monday last there was 8
discussion on the subject at meeting Of the
New York Methodist Preachers Society, and an
excitement arose which came near breaking out
into IN open turnult. At the meeting, the ques-
ton for discussion WAS the Humiliation Of the
Wicked" The opening prayer WAS read by Rev.
Mr. Terry, OF Poushkeepsie, who took the COM
monty accepted Methodist view Of the subject,
and developed it at sone length. He Was fol-
lowed by Rev. DR.. True, one of the best educated
and most highly cultivated men in the Church,
and for many years Professor in the Wesleyan
University. Considering the nature Of the
views which DR.. True theroupon proceeded to
doclare it ia remarkable that he was called upon
to speak by many Of tho preachers in attendance.
The Doctor at once sent bomb-sheu into the
meeting by declaring his belief that the penal
ty Of tho incorrigihly wicked will be the destruc-
ton Of his conscious existence; q total cessa-
ton Of all his functions. Man WINS designed to
live forever. He WAS naturally immortal; the
penalty Of the law WAS the destruction Of this
Immortality" The Doctor then proceeded to
declare that ho could not be objected to thus far
in his theology; when tho following scene oc-
CURED, which wo print from the report OF the
meeting:
Corbett {inte1rupting) yen be objected to
wonderfully, No ono here will allow such ecclesias-
teal humtrunpery.
Tbs Chairman called Mr. corbett to order, enl said
the speaker should not bo interrupted and certainly
not In such = manner.
DR.. Curry nrose, and protested against the u.s.
sumption on the part Of Dr., True that either tho
Church or the meeting agreed with the sentiments
he had uttered.
corbett {again rising ercitedly, and gesticu1sdng
Ike windznill)-I say In order, and
derstand what nm about The doctrina just
enuuciated by Dr.. True originated In he'll, and
ought to be cranned back there again, and the
preacher who would give utterance to such heresy
out to be turned neck md heels out Of the church.
win protest against 1t here and everywhere, and II
have to stand a1oue will stand firmly for the TRUTH
Like Luther at Worms.
DR.. Curry again protested against Dr.. True's last
assumption.
The Chairman-The proper time viii come to answer,
and that time IL not now.
a voice-And we'll answer Ike gentlemen when It
docs come.
Tho Chairman Enough Of this. don't want to be
misunderstood.
Or. cur15-1 doa't think you misunderstood,
and perhaps you will have to hare Of it. think
you aro wrong.
The Chairman again decided that it ont Of order
to raise argument at that point and DE, True
allowed to proceed.
DR.. True continued with his argument on an
and concluded without further inter
ruption, declaring, in the course OF his remarks
that other Methodist preachers. were in accord
with him, among them DR., Warren, Of the Bos-
ton Theological Seminary. Tho discussion has
caused great excitement among the Methodists
OF New York, and it will probably spread and
provoke ferce conflict upon the question Of
endless punishment.