The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-22
Shall Hell be Omitted from the Bible :

While the CongrcgatiOnalists in this coun-
try az" discussing tnu question whether
there Is u he'll on not. Canon FARRAR Of
Westminster Abbey is agitating the Church
Of England by declaring that the word
ought to be left out of the Bible altogether.
He would get rid not only of the word hell
but also of the words damnation and ever
lasting, as applied to punishment after
death.
This is certainly a startling proposition
for no words in the Scriptures have had
more effect on sinners aud on religious
creeds than these very ones. The doctrine
that everlasting damnation will be the fate
Of the impcnitent and unbelcving has been
preached and taught for ngcs. 1t has been
implicitly believed by millions Of Christians.
and has disturbed the peace OF mind of other
millions Of wicked men, not drawn into the
fold Of the Church. The dread Of hell and
the desire to participate In the joys Of
heaven have been among the most powerful
influences in bringing men to seek refuge in
the Christian faith. They have made Of re-
ligon something which secures practical
gain hereafter. and provides security against
an awful punishment which lasts through
eternity. Even though the devout believer
suffered on earth, he felt that his SORROWS
were utterly insignificant, in comparison
with the anguish Of the unredeemed knash-
ing their teeth In the place OF torment. The
thought Of hell was as terrible to him rs the
conception Of celestial companionship was
delightful.
III, therefore, you cxpunge the words hell.
damnation, and everlasting from the Bible,
and lat
more agreeable terms. suggestive OF limited
punishment or simple schooling for ctcr-
nal happiness. you change essentially the
fabric Of Christianity. If the words we have
been accustomed to use to describe the fate
Of the wicked are a. Canon FARRAR says,
mstranslations, which ought not to stand
any longer in our English Bible then il will
become necessary TO revise the old crccds,
SO that they shall hereafter teach Univcr-
salism. Ii hell Is not a place Of everlasting
punishment. but only n temporary state Of
correction and publication. the orthodox
scheme Of salvation Is based ON ialschUod
and must speedily ~ to pieces.
The startling remarks of Canon FARRAR
become Of great significance when we re-
member that they were addressed to the
learned doctors who are now engaged IN
Westminster Abbey in revising the English
Bible. Did the speaker utter their convic-
tions as well as his own. and foreshadow
what they are going TO do II has long been
conceded that the ripper scholarship now
available could improve the version of the
Scriptures made by King JAMEs's trans
lator7. The work Of revision. therefore.
began several years ago. though many de-
vout men feared that the result Of il would
he To imperil the old reverence in the Holy
Book. 1t Is well known that the textual re-
vision alone Is likely tocffcct some important
changes. perhaps resulting in the excelsior
Of passages cunsecrated In the memory OF
Christians; hut we now first hear that the
scholars Of Westminster may take the old
fashioned he'll cut Of the Bible, and write
away eternal damnatiun.
This Is something TO set English and
American orthodox Protcstants thinking
very seriously Are they prepared to give
up the old faith and to accept that of Uni
versalism; Moreover, what is to Ice the
effect on men of the dissipation Of doe
trine so long taught and 50 powerful in its
appeal to the mind Z