The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-04
He'll.

The present theological disturbance be-
gan with the revolt against the orthodox
conception and doctrine Of hell, which has
been gathering strength among the most
orthodox of Professionals during the last
twenty-five years more especially.
It showed itself first in the ranks OF the
clergy themselves. The old references to
hell and Its torments were discarded by
preachers Of q sensitive and delicate taste.
Formerly the orthodox sermon always
closed with the application Of It's teachings
to the impenitent sinner. He was warned
OF the wrath to come II he persisted In his
course. and the everlasting burning OF
the lake Of fire was depicted for him
In blazing oratorical colors. Even az
tor you shall have worn out the
age OF the sun. moon. and stars In your
dolorous groans and lamentations. without
any rest day or night. or one moments
case" said JONATHAN EDWARDS in such an
application. "yet you shall have no hope Of
ever being delivered. but shall know that
you are not one whit nearer to tho end of
your torments. and that the smoke Of your
torment shall still ascend up. forever and
ever. Your bodies. which shall have been
roasting and burning all the while in those
glowing flames. yet shall not have been con-
sumed. but will remain to roast through an
eternity yet. which will not have been ut all
shortened by what shall have been passedw
Aversion to doctrine so uncomfortable
allowed itself even in EDWARDS day. but I'M
til q very recent period 1t did not prevent the
clergy from preaching the terrors OF hell.
and the belief that everlasting torture
awaited the sinner was general among both
religious and irreligious people. When the
pulpit began to ignore the whole subject.
few years ago. or to treat 1t very
gingerlys 1t, was evident that this
aversion had increased and extended
greatly. Then came the revision OF the
Bible. with the term hell itself omitted and
sheol substituted. A majority OF the Pres
byteries Of the Presbyterian Church fol-
lowed with oyertures to the General As
sembly. asking for the remodelling OF the
Westminster, Confession. 90 as to discard
the doctrine Of election In Its severity and
with It's logical consequences OF infant and
hesthen damnation. Subsequently came
DIR. BRIGGS with his declarations Of the fall
libihty Of the Bible. Of progressive sanctif-
cation In the future state. apd OF the au-
thority Of the reason to criticise the dogmas
OF Zoology. t-, .'''
Thus the great question OF theological
controversy centres In the doctrine Of hell.
That doctrine and that belief as they ex-
listed at an earlier period are. explained
with PARTICULARLY by Mr.. JAMES NEW In
an article on 1.-THE Christian He'll " In the
lost number OF the Ninetee,stk Century maya
zine. He shows first that the popular belief
In hell still msnifests itself in the popular
speech. A gambling house. for instance. Is
commonly called hell. The use of the
word hell as an oath Is as frequent as ever.
The imprecation Of damnation Is not less
universal than formerly. The conception OF
hell as q place Of fire and birthstone re-
mains also. and 1t has continued without
change since the early Fathers OF the
Church. described tho horrors of the abode
OF the damned.
Some OF these descriptions are quoted by
Mr.. NEW. and they resemble closely the
terrible picture painted by JONATHAN Ed
wAnpa. II man. says st. 6TEPHANUs.
wpss 10 go these missriss, be would not b