Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-02-20
AT TIE CHURCHES YESTERDAY.

Yesterday, at the Congregational Church,
Rev. J. G. Hale preached morning and even
ing in The place of the regular pastor. In
the Sixth-street Church there was praise
servics at $50 P. n, and like service at
Kingsley Chapel at P. NJ. In the West
minister Presbyterian Church. in the evening,
Rev. Mr.. Rice preached on 1.-THE Inter
mediate State" from Ecclesissticus xii, Z
"Then shall the dust return to the earth, as
il was and tie spirit shall return to God,
who gave it." He said that in this text are
set forth the immediate consequences of ply
steal death. both as regards the body and the
spirit-the two parts of mans nature. In
the last verse of the chapter future judg-
nent is prophesie6- God shall bring every
work into Judgment, with every secret thiag,
whether it be good or whether it be evil. "
It is implied, therefore, that the con-
dition OF both body and soul at death
will continue unchanged until this judg-
ment. A verse in the previous chapter
proves this, IF the tree fall toward the
south, or toward the north, in the place where
the tree falleth, there it shall be-" We read
in other parts of the Bible that this general
judgment will be at the end of the world, so
that all men from the beginning of time re-
main fixed in their condition until this gen.
eral judgment. Here we have, said the
preacher, long period of waiting, which has
been called the intermediate state between
death and the9 Judgment. Much has been
written upon this by philosophers, but all
their imaginings are as nothing beside the
clear and simple statements of God himself
given in the Bible. As regards the body. the
Bible teaches that the substance of the body
is resolved again into the dust OF the earth
out of which it was taken, and that it will 30
remain until the end of the world, when it
will be raised from the dead and united again
with the spirit, to appear before God for
judgment. The intermediate state Of the
body therefore is simply state of death-no
feeling, no consciousness, no pleasure,
soul or spirit is of far greater in
terest. /. The spirit leaves the body and
exists independently of it. It is absurd to
think of a free spirit lowering around de-
caying corpse. or living in a graveyard.
What use has the spirit for dead body-a
handful of dust, @ The spirit of man re-
mains conscious after death. 1t knows what
is around it as truly as when here below il
remembers it's existence on earth, and it an
ticipates the future. The death Of the body
does not affect the faculties of the soul. 3.
The spirit returns to God, who gave it, and
is by Him assigned to it's proper place. which
it will keep until the resurrection of
the body and the final Judgment
Secondly, there are four false theories
concerning the state of the soul after death,
to which the Bible is opposed. l. The theory
of the msterialists, that there is no soul, and
that the death of the body ends our personal
existence. Common sense also is against
this. g. The theory that the soul sleeps, un-
conscious until the resurrection. Against
this the Bible teaches plainly the conscious
ness of the dead. as notably in the parable of
the rich man and Lazarus. 8. The theory of
easy going sinners, that the time of probation
is continued after death. SO that they may
procrastinate their salvation as much as they
please, and at any time IL the in6nite future
repent and turn to God. On the other hand
the Bible declares the death of the body to be
the close of our probation. We are to be
Judged according to the deeds done here in
the body. 4. The theory Of the Roman
Church, that even those who are redeemed
by the blood of Christ, with few exceptions,
must spend long time in the fires of purga-
tory before entering heaven. The Bible is
opposed to the idea that men can atone for
their own sins, and on the other hand teaches
plainly that the blood of Jesus Christ
cleanseth US from al sin." Thirdly, how do
these principles apply to the intermediate state
of these who die in their sins, impenitent and
rejecting the salvation offered them through
Christ? Theirminds will be overwhelmed with
theterrible majesty of God, against whom they
have sinned, ard whose existence they will
realize as never before. They will see that
they have rejected God, and the power of the
divine government and the righteousness of
the divine lsw, and the dreadfulness of sin
will appear to then. in vivid coiors. They
will remember with remorse their life on the
earth, al will look forward with terror to
the future judgment. They will realizs
their Punishment from the divine presence,
and will understand that it is to last forever.
The Judgment viii be simply to declare to
the universe what has already been declared
in their own hearts. Fourthly, how do these
principles apply to the intermediate state of
those who are redeemed by the blood of
Christ from sin and death 1t must be re-
membered that in themselves these are 70
bstter than others. "There is no difference,
;or all have sizned, and come short of tie
Glory of God" But these have confessed
heir sin and been forgiven, and ara at peace
With Goo. In regard to these the Bible
caches: l. They are made perfect In hell
ness. Their sanctifcation is then at once
and with the death of the
body they bid farewell TO sin forever.
3. They are received into the highest heaverF,
where they behold the face CT God in light
and glory. The majesty of God will fiji
them with wonder, love and praise. The
Holy Trinity-Fsther, Son and Holy Spirit
will be revealed to them more than Is pos
sible here, and the wonders of redemption
will be studied by them forever. Bat their
minds will take it all in deeply, and will
forever rejoice in the presence of God. 3.
They will meet and hold communion with
their friends who have slept in Jesus, IS
Abraham AMI other saints were gathered to
their people," 4 They will remember their
life on this Garth, with it's struggles and it.
victories 5. They will with indispensable y
anticipate their eternal life in their heavenly
home, and will look forward with bright hope
to the resurrection of tbs body and the gen.
eral Judgment. 6. Finally, he said, the
righteous in the intermediate state are at rest
from all trouble, perfectly happy, and are
probably engaged in service like that of the
angels. LET me die the death of the right
GUS. and let my last end be like his" was q
careless wish of BALKAN. Let Us make it our
earnest prayer.
Police CoURT.-The following were Satur-
days proceedings: Frank Sanders, on q
charge of disturbing the peace. was dismissed
for want of prosecution. Frank 0. Moore,
drunk, discharged. Chas. King, grand
larceny, discharged for want of prosecution.
Witness in this case has gone Insane since the
arrest. Matt Bloomer, charged with threats
against life. was continued till Tuesday. VIM
Francis and John Brown, two druDks, found
guilty, and each assessed SIS John Williams,
for bread pilfering, pleaded guilty and was
fined 81 80.
LAND LEAeUE-A meeting of the Land
League was held at Grand Army Hall last
evening. which was largely attended. A
very large number of ladies were present
In the absence of the President, the meeting
was presided over by Vice-President Z. P.
Crowley. After the regular business of the
meeting had bean transacted. J. b. Kelly de-
iivered short address on the history of Ire
land. Songs were sung and piano solos rem
dered by Misses Kay, Davis, Harvey and
Kerrigan. Also, d piano solo by Professor
Bilse.
SERIOUSLY HURT.-Frank Thompson, q
hasekmaE. fell from his seat while driving
along Second street. between and K, Satur-
day about o'clock P NJ. His head struck
upon the cobble. he received a severe scalp
wound and is very badly bruised. When he
fell it scared the horses. and they entered
upon lively runaway. They passed through