The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-05-17
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"THE SAVED AMONG THE NATIONS"
An address delivered before the Alumni of Union The
illogical Seminary, April, 1877. by the Rev. John
G. shepperson, D. D., of Liberty, Virginia.
(coNoLUDED.)

G. sheppsrson, D. D., of Liberty Virginia.
(CoNoLUDED.)
1t seems quite clear, therefore, that the
passage in question relates to the state of
things which is to exist among mortal men
during the period of Righteousness and peace
of which We have been speaking. That Pc
riod is represented by the phrase ga thou
sand years" But is this phrase to be taken
in its literal and most obvious sense? think
not. 1t cannot be reasonably doubted that
the symbolical representations contained in
this book form a connected and consistent
system; and in all the other specifications Of
time, it is generally admitted that every day
represents year. Now to claim an excep-
tion in this solitary instance is arbitrary, and
leads to confusion, if not absurdity. For
example: In chapter XII, the two witnesses
prophecy thousand two hundred and three
score days. Taken literally, this is, as you
perceive, 81 years; but according to the
commonly accepted Interpretation, 1890
years. Now if you admit this interpreta.
ton, and take the phrase ga thousand
years in chapter Xxx, in the literal sense,
you make the A years longer than the l.
600 years. Thus We have reached, by what
l deem legitimate process, very impor-
tant conclusion, which is this: Through the
blessing of God on the preaching of the gos-
pei, eminent piety, with all the blessings ap-
propriate to our mortal and imperfect state,
is to prevail throughout the world for period
of not less than three hundred and sixty.fve
thousand years.
An obvious inference is that the number
of the finally lost will bear very small pro-
portion to the number of the finally saved.
OF all the millions who leave the world with
out having become capable of distinguishing
between right and wrong, We have not the
least apprehension that single individual
will be lost. But these do not fall within
the scope of our present inquiry, as they are
not saved by means of the gospel.
Let US suppose the millennium is to COM
mence A. D. 2OOO-for though We cannot be
exact on this point, it is not probable that
this aupposition is so far from the truth as to
affect materially the view now to be pre-
sented. Some, there is reason to think, will
live and die unconverted even during the
millennium; but if go, the number will be
very small After the millennium, wicked
ness will extensively prevail for q season;
but we are expressly told, it will be ga little
season." On the other hand, many millions
have already been converted and saved, and
many millions more will be converted and
saved before the millennium begins. Let US
suppose, then, that the number saved before
the millunnium, shall be just equal to the
whole number lost during the millennium and
after its close. This supposition, l imagine,
will not be thought too favorable. Now if it
shall be realized, the final result will be just
the same as if the case stood thus: Lost,
single pair, and all their descendants for six
thousand years. Saved, the hundreds of
millions who shall be alive when the millen-
mum begins, and all their descendants for
period more than sixty times as long-that
ia, for three hundred and slxty-fve thousand
years. Now, it is true that we have no means
of making even distant approach to an ex-
act calculation but the general conclusion
is perfectly obvious; the finally saved will
be most emphatically great multitude that
no man can number, in comparison with
which, the number of the lost will dwindle
into utter insiguifcance.
You need not wonder, my brethren; nor
have you any right to pronounce these views
extravagant. We are speaking Of our Sa-
viours reward for his obedience unto death;
can anything be too great? We are speak.
ing of the very end for which angels and
principalities and powers are made subject to
him, and all creatures put under his control.
We are speaking of the very things that make
up the theme of angelic study, and angelic
wonder, and angelic alteration. But after
all, what do we know about them? Alas !!
we are children; we speak as children, we
think as children. But still we do know
something. Blessed be God, We do know
that Jesus Christ shall see of the travail of
his soul, and shall be satisfied. In this let
US rejoice. It ill-becomes Christian to
turn away from themes like these, as if they
we're matters that did not claim his attention.
No doubt it is possible to do so through ex-
treme ignorance, or unhappy prejudice, or
because the subject is unskilfully presented.
But obstacles Of this description apart, what
is it to say, I" feel no interest in these mat
ters 2" What, in effect, but to say, If l
may but keep out Of hell myself, l care not
who else is saved, or who is lOst; to me it is
no matter whether Jesus is honored or de-
spised, no matter whether his work of saliva
tion shall prove a success or failure" No;
Christian cannot say that; a Christian can
not feel that.
And now let me add that, Of all the mere
creatures in the universe, angels not excepted,
ministers of the gospel are the class to whom
God has assigned the moS prominent agency
in bringing about these glorious results. To
US it belongs to preach the unaearchable
riches Of Christ. To US it belongs to pro-
claim that gospel which is the power of God