The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-02
DIVINE REWARDS AND PENALTIES.
BY REV. w. w. HIBBEN.


The Holy Bible is undoubtedly "the Book
of books" and the greatest book in the
world IL is the source OF law, the basis OF
Investigation and the soundeSt pnliosoPhlcsl
expounder of rewards and penalties known
to the world of men. There is no other book
like it or equal with il. II stands sui generis
among all the books ever written, read or
printed 1t may be criticised, but not con-
demned, for its laws. when properly COM
pretended, are Just and applicable and
universal. Jew or gentle, pagan or Moham-
rnedan. Christian or infidei, all men are
governed by its laws and ruled by its
penalties. Like nature. it contains
an immutable system of government
and holds the reign OF empire over the
moral and physical actions OF men,
no matter who they are, what they believe
or what they may or msy not belong to-
Neither climates nor languages, governments
nor churches can change its principles or
mutilate the system of its divinity. Its
truths are inspired and their history Is
sacred Its laws are for the present life,
which is but a primary or probationary ex-
istence. These laws cover every case OF
human action and OF human relationship,
irrespective of mems creeds or professions.
Isaiah says: Say We to the righteous that
il shall be we'll with him, for they shall eat
the fruit of their dOings. Woe unto the
wicked; it shall be i'll with him, for the re-
ward of bis hands shall be given him"
This comprehends the whole theory OF the
divine government; men are the arbiters OF
their own moral fortunes. The order is
free agency, individual responsibility under
universal law, with definite, infallible and
impartial penalties inflicted in this life.
This world is the j-rsdction OF the action
and the proper sphere for the inflicton OF
all Just penalties. If law, either physical or
moral is violated, a proper and Just punish
N fnllnVV The minds Of men
do not have to wait for death to introduce
them to deserved penalties; they come TO
them here. though often 1.-The mills of the
gods may grind slowly" yet they are sure to
grind, and often exceedingly fine"
The theories of rewards aud punishmenis,
as taught by the poets and by many OF our
church theolOgianS, need to be explained
before they will give the true philosophy of
the divine system. The idea of a local nell
and a local heaven after death, in the great
eternal future, where crimes will be finally
punished and where virtues will be fully
rewarded, is the most prepOsterous credit
system the world hiss ever heard of. The
Bible does not teach it. and philosophy only
makes mock OF It, Common sense decides
against ii, and il Is certainly the duty of the
church to teach the plain truth on the sub
1ect .
The fact that happiness, rs well as misery,
is the true result OF the disposition of the
and punshments.
1t is this order that creates the necessity
for all men 10 live in accordance with all
Just and righteous laws. Ii they do they are
saved; il they DO not they are damned. The
one follows as inevitably as the Other-nO
matter what they believe or what they pro
fess or what they belong to- Different
religions can make no changes in the divine
government. and contradictory creeds can
add nothing to the moral policy of the
infinite benevolence
God is no respecter Of persons. He is the
creator OF all and the father of all, and law
and principle and spirit rule immutably and
universally in the Kingdom of His authority.
Hence those are happy who do right and
they are unhappy who do wrong-whatever
they may profess or be in creed, church or
relationship. What we will all be in the
future will depend on our dispositions and
capacities, and not on local bells or local
heavens.
The divine government should not be
mlsrepresented. Gods laws, which He has
gwen Us for our happiness and general well
fare, should be fully and definitely made
known 10 all the people, in the full force OF
their rewards as well as in the terrible char
acter OF their penalties III this were done
on broad principle of philanthropy and
humanity, there is no doubt but our Chris.
tian civilization would rise To higher point
Of moral stability and Christian purity than
We have yet known. Under the present
regime, we have too much theology for the
% practical philanthropy il teaches, or the
reforms it makes. Oar whole people
should be taughi-tsught truth, not
theories. not professions, not church
insurances, but regard for laws they can not
gainsay, and that they can not viola with
out certain aud definite penalties 1t gives
Us no particular satisfaction to find fault
with or criticise the church regime of the
age, and yet we feel it to be our privilege TO
utter these suggestive thoughts, that others,
younger and older, may take a more active
part in teaching the whole people the true
theory OF their moral and physical response
bilities
Heaven is here and hell is here, and the
people should be taught to seek the one and
10 shun the other. The choice is in their
own hands. and the finger of intelligence
and truth and mercy points to the better
destiny.
December % 1877.