The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-11
DOES DEATH END ALLa

The First of DIR. Gilberts Evangelical Dis
courses Delivered Last Evening.
The first of series Of sermons for promoting
evangelical religion in Indianapolis was deliv-
cred at Meridian street M. E. Church, last even
ing, by DR.. J. E. Gilbert Does Death End
Alp was the theme of the discourse, and the
text chosen by DR.. Gilbert was Then shall dust
return to earth as it was. and the spirit shall re-
turn unto God who gave itD Whether
or not this life is preliminary
to another, does death end
all, is the grave prison-house, and are we des-
tined shortly to be blotted out of existence, are
deeply interesting questions. They are practical,
as well as interesting No heart ever comes to
rest until reason is satisfied. The future life
ought not to be a mere hope; it ought to be a
reality. No person can live quietly in this world
until convinced whether or not there is
another. If there is another, let us
know it and prepare for it. There are
two modes of investigation open-one scriptural
and the other rational. Every truth of Scrip
ture is presented to us in progressive way.
Every truth found in Genesis is more and more
set out until fully developed in the Epistles. In
discussing the question of whether or not death
ends all. he cited the fact that the patrarchs be-
lieved in another life. The brief sketches of
them all end with the statement that they 'were
gathered to their fathers" We fiud that ''Enoch
walked with God, and was not, for God took
him, and "because of his piety was taken out Of
this life" Job says II know that my Redeemer
llveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth; and though after my skin worms
destroy this body. yet in my flesh shall l
sec God" These little rays of light from
patriarchal times give proof to US of a future
life. We also have con vincing proof
that the disciples and apostles did, in support of
which the words of several were quoted. There
seems to run through the entire volume an ex-
pectation of another life for man.
There are some who desire substantial evil
dence of another kind, and this can be
presented. Scientists agree that there
is such thing as destruction
of matter You may reduce solid to liquid, and
liquid to gas, yet there is as much matter as
before. You may reduce wood to ashes, but if
you gather up all the elements there is as much
as before. And so We may proceed through all
the processes of formation, dissolution and re-
formation It must, therefore. be admitted that
matter is indestructible. Can we then say
that the spirit is destructible9 Must
the bird die because the cage is
broken9 Must the spirit Of man die because the
body is destroyed and is changed in form? Ad
ditional reason for belief in the survival of the
ties of man. 1t is characteristic of man that he
is intent on obtaining knowledge, which he class
Ines and forms into science and then sets in
operation another order of power. Not content
with his discoveries of the real, he
pictures things that he has never
seen, and that do not exist. He. is
not satisfied with the real or the ideal world
but he longs for something greater. If man was
made for this life only it seems that those ac-
tivties would not play thus, but he would be
contented with the things about him. On the
very verge Of the grave we find man PROFOUND
ing to himself the great questions of life and
duty, showing that he was not made merely for
the scenes of this world. No human life
is complete. Among all the historic
! characters none can be named who seems to
have finished his life. Among your acquaint
ances who have died can you name one who
seemed to have nothing more to do? It does not
seem reasonable that a being of such wonderful
aspirations and powers as man should come up
for few years, and then lie down forever.
There men who doubt the exist
ence of n personal God, the inspiration
of the Scriptures. and are skeptical in
various ways, but few be found who
have the hardihood to stand up and say that
they do not believe in a future life, although
there are few such men. To the testimony of
the infidels may be added the concurrent belief
of mankind There is nothing upon which the
races are so universally agreed as the belief in a
future life Go where you will you will see the
Christian triumphant man on his bed of death.
The discussion Of the theme will be continued
by DR.. Gilbert in discourse next Sunday on
MANS Spirit Immediately After Death" cover
or does it sleep2 Is it in sorrow or joy9