The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-07

forever"
But now then, these texts teach the
doctrine of Universalism very definite
ly. In both st. Matthew's and Marks
Gospel the sense is this, viz: That all
sins and blasphemies wherewithsoever
the sons of men shall blasphene shall be
forgiven. Now, this is true or it is
false. We assert its truth and at some
time therefore we believe that all man.
kind will be forgiven and as a conse-
quence enjoy the salvation of the Cos
pei. But do you say that some are not
forgiven, neither in that nor the COM
ing age. That is our opinion, exactly.
But those ages are past, and as the
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is
one kind of sin we yet affirm in the
language of Jesus that all sins and
blasphemies shall be forgiven unto the
sons of men ald hence all sins have or
are to be forgiven-blotted out, effaced
then comes salvation. Mark you,
the Saviour started out with the funda-
mental fact of universal forgiveness
and was particular to limit the unfor-
given period to the age of miracles.
Your speaker understands that dur
| ing the period or age of Christ's
personal ministry miracles were per-
formed and during the period or age Of
his coadjutors or apostles miracles
were performed, and the sin against the
Holy Ghost was committed only in
those ages, and as they are past the
sins are forgiven. But then you ask
what became of those wicked men who
were guilty of this sin. We answer in
them the intimation of the text was
fulfilled. Their sin was not taken
away, but in the face of following
stupendous miracles they continued to
defy all the influences and arguments
of truth until the day long foretold by
prophets came upon them and in all
the accumulated horrors of the sword,
| famine and pestilence, they were swept
from the face of the earth and eternal
condemnation or age-lasting judgment
the portion of their cup.
But again we are asked what became
of their spirits, and we answer, 1.-The
dust shall return to the earth as it was,
but the spirit to God who gave it." We
know then this much about their
spirits. My brother, or sister, do you
know anything more or different?
But you interrogate me further, "Will
their spirits exist in veal or woe in the
world immortal?" We are inclined to
look hopefully for a good termination
in everything that occurs under the
government of God, for 1 believe him
to be good unto all and that his tender
mercies are and will be over all his
works. The men who blasphemed
against the Holy Ghost were Israelites
and for them Jesus prayed, Father
forgive them, for they know not what
they do" and while they sinned with
their eyes open they did not seem to
fully comprehend the magnitude of
their sins. But will not the prayer of
Christ be answered. Did he not pray
in faithp Besides, there are some
promises concerning the unfortunate
blasphemer. Rom. IL: 25, 27,-"For
1 would not, brethren, that ye should
be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceit,
that blindness in part has happened
unto Israel until the fullness of the
Gentiles shall come and so all Israel
shall be saved as it is written. There
shall come out of Zion the deliverer and
shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob. For this is my command unto
them when L shall take away their
SINS" We also read in the same
chapter, IF the casting away of them
be the reconciling of the world, what
shall the receiving of them be but life
from the dead2" Well might the
Baptist say, behold the Lamb of God
who taketh away the sin of the world"
Further, you ask as to the means by
which they may be saved in the future
immortal world. We answer by the
same means by which men are saved
in this world. The voice of God
through his son, who is the resurrection
and the life, will be, son, daughter, give
me thy heart, and possessing no lust or
passion that gender to strife, the con-
ditions more favorable, we believe uni
versal obedience will be rendered and
as consequence fealty will be declar-
ed to the divine government and con-
sequent happiness will be the result.
1t requires this anastasis or resurrec-
ton process for one and all. The Saw
Jour said that in the resurrection they
are equal to the angels and are the
children of God, being the children of
the resurrection" andthat all humanity
will be worthy to obtain that world and
the resurrection is assured in the sequel
which says: For all live unto him."
In conclusion let me re-assert that
all sins and blasphemies shall be for
given unto men, but the same as far as
this life was concerned was not for
given during the age of Christ's per-
sOnal ministry nor The age of the per-