Morning journal and courier., 1886-10-12

the Old Testament and the New except to re-
gard their probation as ending with the pres
ent life. They have stood conscientiously
opposed to the dogmas of Universalism and
restoration because, after the most careful
search, they could discover nothing in Gods
word to warrant the belief that a dispense
ton of grace in the future life was promised
or taught by prophets or apostles, or by the
Lord Jesus Christ. They have believed such
views were unscriptural, misleading and like
y to be fatal to some souls. Salvation for
any by repentance after death has had no
place in their belief Now whether this un-
derstanding of the teaching of scripture is
right or wrong, it has existed and has been
the faith of the church for generations and
Is the belief of the great majority of evan
gel1cal Christians all over our land to-day.
Third-So far as we can learn this new
dogma has not come into existence as the re-
suit of a change of conviction arising among
those in the evangelical churches engaged in
active Christian work and scripture study
1t Is the offspring OF of scholastic hab-
its. 1t was not learned directly from the
Bible, but is the fruit of speculation. It is
advocated as the component part of sys-
tem-as deduction from an intellectual ere
alton styled Absolute Christianity - Hav-
ing come into being in this way, few OBJ
scure passages of scripture, whose real mean
ing no man can positively affirm, are pressed
into service to give it support. Now that
1t has come to us from nation of proverbi-
erratic thinkers, it finds little welcome among
the most earnest evangelical workers. They
are afraid of it and of its tendencies. 1t has
strange look and seems to the great body
OF Christians composing our churches whose
views have been derived from the simple
reading of Gods word and the teachings
they have all their lives been accustomed to,
as contrary to the word of word and of dan
gerous import. Its chief advocates, if we
mistake not, are men of peculiar intellectual
and speculative habits who are carried away
with the theory OF which it is a part They
have been most Jealous in their efforts to
propagate it, and from their position have
special opportunities to do So
FoCrth-f the above statements are true
as we believe they ere, it cannot be expected
that these views should be at once and
generally accepted. Men must be convinced
of their truthfulness before they will ap-
prove them, and they do not change their
convictions and interpretations of scripture
quickly. The more conscientious they are
the slower they will be to surrender old be-
iefs, except on the most convincing evidence.
The advocates of probation after death,
supposing their theory to bs true, as we have
no doubt they believe it to be, should con-
slider that time must be given to change the
convictions-prejudices if they choose so to
call thenl-of the churches against their
views. They must be patient with and char
liable toward those who maintain the old
faith and not seek to compel them to sup
port, against their convictions those who
hold what they regard fatal error. If they
are right they have nothing to fear in the
end. Their view will win it's way by the
force of the truth there is in it. Meanwhile
is iG a wise, is it Christian thing for them
to insist on Immediately forcing its approval
upon unconvinced churches and place them
in a position where they will be obliged to
give it their support or refuse to cooperate,
as they have done, in sustaining the mission
ary operations carried on by the board. II
time s given this matter will adjust itself
naturally, peacefully. If the churches are
in error in their understanding of the teach |
ing of the scriptures in their fears of and in |
their opposition to the dogma of future pro- |
baton, they will gradually come to see it and |
change their views and feelings. If on the |
other hand further study of the whole sub |
ject, by the advocates of this theory and by |
our ministers and churches, shall show that |
it is not tenable and is likely to work inju- |
ry, delay in commissioning men to teach it |
will be great gain. It is not doctrine of |
vital Importance to the saving of souls. The |
missionary work can go on without its aid as |
it has done in the past. The work bet |
ter afford to do without the present help of a
few candidates, if need be, than by hasty ac
ton to propagate grave error or imperll
the union and enthusiasm of our churches in
this great enterprise. A general union and
hearty co operation in this God-given work
il of more Importance than the present ser
vices of any two or three men. The whole
matter we believe can be safely left to the
action of the board. Helped by the prayers
of the churches, they will not be likely to go
far or long astray, nor willingly permit the
missionary work to suffer by any action of
theirs. Let prayer be made to God without
ceasing by the churches for light this
subject in it's practical issues, and that all
interested may have the spirit of Christ, so
that the coming meeting at Des Moines may
be, to those who assemble, as the mount of
God, from which a clear outlook shall be
gained of the greatness of the work and the
true principles and methods by which it is to
be conducted