The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-02-12
A Defence of He'll.

The Kew. Dr. Shedd, the distinguished
Calvanist theologian, contributes to the
last number of the North dmerican Re.
view a logical and closely reasoned
argument to prove "the certainty of
endless punishment"
Formerly such paper from such a
source woul rave been by no means
remarkable, and would not have attracted
attention outside of the circle of theolog-
ians 10 which Dr. shedd belongs. 1t
would have appeared in some dull and
heavy Presbyterian or Congregational
periodical, aud not in a magazine which,
like the North american, aims to treat
subjects of general interest only. But
now an argument in favorof the doctrine
of hell and Of eternal torment for the
damned is SO great novelty that q
magazine editor who desires to pique
curiosity is glad to obtain it for pubica.
ton.
Ii. Shedd contends that future punish.
ment is retributive, and not merely
exemplary and corrective; that it must
be endless, because the reason for it
continues. Suffering that is education
al aud corrective, be says, may come to
an end, because moral infrmily, and not
guilt, is the reason for its infiiclion; and
moral infirmity- may cease to exist. But
sufferiugthat is penal can never come to
an end, because guilt is the reason for its
inAicton, and guilt, once incurred, never
ceases to be. The reason for relribu.ion
is reason forever"
In human tribunals criminals are
punished not merely retributely. but
with reference to the good of the often.
ders, aud still mnrc to the protection of
society; aud the punishment is varied
for the same offence. But Dr.. Shedd
sees a judgment Day when stern and
unbending justice will be thus admins
tered to the Q nb ing impeniten.:
"The Divine tribunal in the last great
day, is invariably and exactly just,
because it is neither reformatory nor
corrective. 1t is righteous retribut;on,
pure aud simple, unmodi6ed oy consider.
atoms either, of utility to the criminal or
safety to the universe. Christ, in the
day Of final account, will not punish
wicked men and devils, either for the
sake of reforming them, or of protecting
the righteous from the wicked. His
punishment at that time will be nothing
but retribution. The Redeemer of Men
is also the eternal Judge; the Lamb Of
God is also the Lion of the tribe Of
Judah and His righteous word to wick.
ed and. hardened Satan, to wicked and
hardened Judas, will be: Vengeance is
mine; I viii repay. Depart from me,
ye cursed, that work iniquityp The
wicked will reap according as they have
sown. The suffering will be unerriugly
adjusted to the iustrinsic guilt; no great.
er and no less than the sin deserves"
? DR.. Shedd then goes on to argue that
the doctrine of hell is supported by the
human conscience, which instinctively
breads eternal punishment. "Notwith-
standing all the attack made upon the
tenet in every generation, by fraction
of every generation" he says with truth,
"men do not get rid of their fear of
future punishment" There may be no
hell, they say, but it is better to keep on
the safe side, for who knows?
Besides, contends this theologian, there
is pretter general conviction of the
necessity for hell. There are men so
wicked that by common consent they do
not and cannot get sufficiently punished
in this life, and if there is not retribution
for them hereafter the sense of justice is
outraged. AS DR.. Shedd puts it, "the
non. .iDfliction retribution upon hardened
vilainy and successful cruelty causes
anguish in the moral sense" The
thought that hell FIRE awaited their ene-
mics and tormentors has given vast
comfort to thousands of human beings,
and it will be long before men give up
the conviction that what is amiss in this
life is to be made right by the compensa-
tions of future existence, and those
compensations imply not only reward,
but punishment also.
We take unusual interest in this paper,
because it is the first square defence of
the doctrine of eternal damnation from
an orthodox Protestant theologian which
we remember to have seen for several
years past. Even if the tenet is not
directly attacked, it is usually ignored by
Protestant ministers as too disagreeable q
subject for contemporary Christians
DIR. Shedd deserves credit for the courage
and consistency be shows in standing by
doctrine which lies at the foundation o.
the orthodox system of theology .-Ne''
York Sun.
-"I am aware that the commentator
do not agree with me-" said the Rev. DR.
Foster in his sermon. Next day ole
n 4 II oIc>es