Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1878-01-02
ABOUT HELL.

ABOUT HELL
The prospect that bell 10 TO be
abolished. and that the human race Ia
hereafter to be appealed to the name Of
love. instead Of fear. II one which every
man in the civilized world will hail with
rejoicing. At the time when the
Christian religion was founded. the
nations Of the world were in compare
tive ignorance. They had not been
educated TO that degree that makes rsa-
son the guiding star Of life. Fear was the
only passion which controlled individuals
and IL vas very natural for the old
fathers Of the church 70 appeal to that
passion. especially Is they could do so
without any very great stretch OF the
imagination in translating the scriptures.
Religion is like everything else in this
world; IL must Be- adapted TO the intslli-
gsnce Of lis students. The Mosaic re-
cord OF the creation Of the world. was
written for men and women who could
not have understood the grand historical
teachings Of geology. II was written in
q way that they could understand.
and th. great truth was n clearly told
q though all the details Of millions Of
years bad been given.
The hell. which We have bsen taught
from our childhood up TO fear; the end
less tormsnts which have been held up
to the sinner .as rstributivs justice for
his sins. were q necessary part Of the
grand scheme OF salvation at the time
when Christ and his apostles walked
upon the earth. To appeal 10 the no.
blsr sentiments Of humanity at that time
would have been useless. for the nobler
sentiments OF humanity were sunk In
q slough Of sin. There was bat one sle-
msnt to which 10 appsal-fear--and the
fathers Of the church did we'll at that
time In appealing to u. There IL no
doubt that many an erring a has been
brought 70 the throne Of grace simply
through the fear Of eternal damnation
in tho world 70 come.
but the werld has been steadily ad-
vancins in knowledge since the star Of
Bethlehem arose. Old things have
passed away and everything has become
new. Men have learned to reason for
themselves, and refuse to accept q doc
thine which Is rspellant to every feeling
OF humanity. to say nothing Of the love
which IL declared to be the chief attri-
butte OF the Deity. The old bible Is
being ovsrhsuled. and w hnd there
that there are no such words as "hsll."
everlasting and elimination" We
fud that these words have been mis-
translated. with q wise purpose. no
donbt. but the time for pervsrsion has
pass,d. In these days men and women
arc far enough advanced in intelligence
to worship . God OF Love. They are
far enough advanced to refuse to wor-
ship . Devil. which our God is. II the
doctrine Of eternal damnsiion Is true.
With the abolition Of the word ''hsll''
from our bible. We shall gain . religion
which every man Of rsaso can endorse.
Our God will become what the Creator
Of the human race should be. . Being Of
infinite Love and Tenderness. not q re-
vcngsiui Deity. who has made man only
to crafty his brutal passions In his des-
truction. Christ will become what he
declared himself to BE-. the veritabls
Saviour OF men. Around his standard
all nations will gather. and he will be
wsrshirred in spirit anil In truth. not
In fear and trembling. Men viii strive
earnestly to gain Heaven. not to escape
Hell. In short. the world will DO rsvo-
iutionizsd. and Divine Love win hence
forth take the place Of hellish fear.
OF course this revolution will not DO
accomplished without great opposition
from extreme orthodox ministers. But
II will be accomplished In spite Of them.
The good work has begun. Il will Be
continued. and the year 1878 will prove
TO be the most blessed In the Christian
calendar. II will be tho year which will
inaugurats in sarnest, "Psacs on earth.
good will to men,"