Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-01-01
ENDLESS PUNlsMlaKNr.

Mr. iseecher sean EnteRta,nsng tho Fond
Hope That is 10 All . Myth.
A Brooklyn Eagle reporter, who asked
Mr.. Beecher, apropos Of tine disfellOwship-
ping of the Rev. Myron Adams by the
Ontario Association of Congregational
Ministers, if belief in endless punish
mrnt was binding upon Congregationalists,
reports Mr.. Beecher as speaking as
follows -
"Whether the profession of doubt as to
tie eternity of future punishment is inccn-
sistent with membership in the Orthodox
Congregational churches, has been more
or less matter of difference aud debate
among the Congregational churches, both
East and West, but with growing ten
dency to permit such doubt if in all other
respects the minister is of the right spirit
and bids fair to seek the great practical
ends which are contemplated in all re-
ligious teaching. The whole subject of es-
chatology-that is, the science of last things
lis coming up for more thorough discus
sion than has ever yet been given to it. DR..
Philip Schaf, of New York, one of the
ablest of all church historians, said recent
ly that almost every other great depart
ment Astrological doctrine had undergone
a period OF radical discussion and been set
tied after that, but that there had never
been such a period of discussion upon the
great subject of eschatology and that
was yet to be entered upon. In regard to
Mr.. Adams the account given states that
'he is thoroughly unsettled in his religious
belief that he regards sin as a disease
rather than voluntary transgression; that
his views of the atonement are exceedingly
| mystical, as also his views of Divine for.
givehess and regeneration that lie ab'
solutely denies the doctrine of endless pun
ishment that his eloquence has been
turned against essential truths and against
his brethren and the churches that he by
no means represents the system of faith
held by Plymouth church or the Congre
gational association of New York finally,
that he furnishes no satisfactory scriptual
or rational basis for his belief. Mr.. Adam
is an able man, whose mind is in state o.
transition as between the explanation o
| the great moral facts resting together In
medieval days, and as they are presented
under the light of scientific discoveries ir
our day. We are living in an age Of tran
sition, one set of men have gone clear over
to what may be called 'naturalistic
grounds another set Of men are atte mpt
/ ing to 90 clear back to what may be called
| SLTlCIIy C00OAAOSs A1SoVSSA'
these two extremes there is al undevel
oped, but steadily developing, process O
transition - especially among educated
young men. To that body, undoubtedly
both Mr.. Adams, of Rochester, and Mr.
Adams, of Dankirk, his brother-recently
set away by the presbytery for the same
thing-belong. The doctrine Of endless
punishment has been down to withir
twenty-five years last past undoubtedly
included in the orthodox belief Of COngre.
gational churches, with here and there q
dissident. There is, however, q very wide
spread investigation of the grounds o
evidence on which the former views have
been held going on. At present it would
seem as if the churches held about thi
attitude-that if in all other respects ;
minister was sound in his belief, and die
not use his doubts on the subject of tn,
endiessness of punishment for the build
ing up of new views; if his spirit wa
good and his labors acceptable, he shoul'
not be mOlested."
Reporter-On tho subject of future pun
ishmen have you not announced in YOU
sermons disbelief in it's endlessness?
Mr.. Beechcr-Yes; but should ID
want to say anything about it just now
without more preparation and though
than can give to it at this moment.