The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-18

pldCo NOW uO We KNOW tnde tueIo
would be permanent and thorough
reformation in any case, if all The evil
consequences Of sin ceased when sin
ceased? How do we know that pun
shment after reformation is not abso-
lutely necessary to teach the exceeding
sinfulness of sin, and to confirm the
sinner in his purposes Of reformation ?
We do not here discuss the question as
to whether the flesh is the cause or occa-
sion Of all sin, and that therefH@e there
can be no sin when the mortal body is
laid aside. We simply say that we do
not believe it. 1t is the mindM Snot
the body that sins, and there are many
sins that do not come by any feshly
temptation even, but are purely Of the
mind, such as envy, ambition, selfish
ness, pride, hatred. A soul could COM
nit these sins just as easily in a spirit
ual as in physical body,-just as easily
in another world as iu this. =
But, touching the proposition that
''tbere can be 10 sin after death, be-
cause there is no temptation after
DEATH" several things might be said.
If we do not sin simply because We can
not, simply because We are deprived of
our physical bodies and physical pro-
pensities, simply because we are en-
dowed with nature to which sin is
impossible, what virtue then is there in
our virtue, in our obedience We are
simply doing what we are compelled to
do. We have no power or liberty to do
anything different.
We have what seems to US an in
finitely higher reason fOf believing that
man will not sin in heaven, or in the
resurrection state; and we use the term
resurrection in spiritual and not in a
physical sense-nOt as signifying the
separation of the soul from the body,
but as signifying the exaltatiOn of the
soul, it's education, discipline, growth
in divine knowledge, goodness, love.
We believe that the soul VIII be just as
free to sin in heaven as upon earth, or
in perdition, if you please. But, never
theless, we believe the soul will not sin
in heaven. We believe that sin will be
impossible to man in the resurrection
state. But the impossibility will not
be physical impossibility; it will not
be an impossibility arising from a loss
of freedom to sin. It will be moral
mpossibility-it will be an impossible
ity arising from the fact ii at the soul
has become so educated, disciplined,
strengthened, exalted in heavenly wis
dom, in digjasss. aowleds.A~, - laQYe aud
| goodness and holiness, that it discerns
the supreme and infinite worth and
beauty and felicity Of these things, and
contrasts them with the inevitable loss,
dishonor and misery of sin, which the
soul has previously experienced and
seen in others. And thus all tempta-
tions to sin forever lose their power.
That is heaven-Jhe life, the character,
the soul, completely educated into the
law and life Of God.
l will add, in conclusion, that these
theories advanced by Br. Siade, seem to
me so contrary to common observation
and experience contrary to reason
and the nature of things, so contrary,
indeed, to rational Interpretation Of
the specific, and the broad, general
teachings of the Scripture, as to be re-
garded as gross by many outside Of our
communion, and to repel many of the
! finest religious spirits-mauy of the
most learned, liberal aud progressive
Of our orthodox brethren. Can we af-
ford this Shall We not try to advance
opinions SO entirely rational, just and
Scriptural as shall win to us the sympa-
thy and approval of all the advancing
hosts?