The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
UNIVERSAL SALVATION AND
EARLY CHRISTIANS.

Christian Life (London) gives ex-
tracts from writings of the early min
listers of Christianity who were
avowedly Universalist in their teach
ing, saying:
We have often shown that the
doctrine of universal restoration is
distinctly set forth in the New Tesla
ment. We have space this week for
only a few quotations from what are
called the Primitive Fathers, which
clearly prove that while some of them
believed in endless woe, there were
others, equally distinguished for
their learning and position in the
church, as believers in the restora-
ton of our whole race to holiness and
happiness.
Let us name Clemens Alexan-
drinus, one of the most illustrious
writer's, and most renowned for his
learning. He lived in the early part
of the third century. We give only
few words of his: Justice is, of
itself, nothing but goodness; for it re-
wards the virtuous with blessings,
and conduces to the improvement of
the sinful. There are many evil af-
fections which are to be cured only
by suffering. Punishment is, in its
operation, Ike medicine: it dissolves
the hard heart, purges away the filth
of uncleanliness, and reduces the
swellings of pride and haughtiness;
thus restoring its subject to sound
and healthful state. 1t is not from
hatred, therefore, that the Lord re-
Dukes mankind" With re-
gard to the actual salvation of all, the
following are his fullest and most
pointed expressions: -"How is he
Saviour and Lord of alls
Therefore he indeed saves all; but
converts some by punishments, and
others by gaining their freewill; SO
that he has the high honor, that
unto him every knee shall bow, of
things in heaven, on earth, and under
the earth; that is, angels, men; and
the souls of those who died before his
advent"
It is we'll known to all scholars who
are conversant with the works of
Origen, of the third century, that he
distinctly proclaimed his belief in
the final salvation of all; all who
have lived and all who now live, and
all who shall live; and that of the six
schools of theology, four of the six
held the views of Origen. He says:
"The end and contamination of the
world will take place, when all shall
be subjected to punishments proper
toned to their several sins; and how
long each one shall suffer, in order
to receive his deserts, God only
knows. But we suppose that the
goodness of God, through Christ, will
certainly restore all creatures into
one final state; his very enemies be-
ing overcome and subdued." g.
Origen held that punishment be ap-
portioned, in length and severity, to
each ones wickedness and hardness
of heart: "for some, they would be
shorter and more moderate; but for
others, especially for the devil, they
would necessarily be rendered in
tense, and protracted to an immense
duration, in order to overcome the
obstinacy and corruption of the
guilty sufferers. At last, however,
the whole intelligent creation should
be purified, and God become all in
ALL"
We now refer to the writings of
Titus, Bishop of Bostra, who -four
ished in the middle of the fourth
century; and it must be remembered
that we are only singing out few
of the many, and of those, too, who
were regarded as chiefs in the Church
of Christ, and orthodox, too. The
Bishop of Bostra says: That the
abyss of hell is, indeed, the place of
torment; but it is not eternal, nor did
it exist in the original constitution
of nature. 1t was made afterward,
as remedy for sinners, that it might