The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-29
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

TO the Editor: [ have asked
to explain this parable so as
to harmonic with the doc
trine of the humiliation of the wicked.
In trying to do so I shall follow those
general rules. accepted by all, in the
Interpretation of scripture, viz: that
parable is fguratiye language and
cannot be interpreted literally, and
that no scripture should be isolated
from other passages bearing on the
same subject, and given an interpreta-
ton out of harmony with the whole.
The parable under consideration is
generally treated as though it stood
alone, and referred to individuals; and
in this way is made a contradiction
and confusion of facts and reason.
Considered independently 1T desig-
mates a certain rich man who shall be
tormented after death because of n GER
tain manner of living while here.
There was certain rich man which
was clothed in purple and fine linen,
and Jared sumptuously every day"
The only charge against this man is
this manner of living. Now we know
that the man who accumulated wealth
land this can be done honestly and
spends it freely upon himself, is a
greater benefactor to those around
him, than the rich miser, who is all
the time drawing it in, but will suffer
almost like the beggar at the -
rather than let - go ont 5ate,
teaches that the epic~ IL also
things on earth ~ lneio -, soou
by torme- " NC IoiIo"eu
l;ee -Alts after death, and that a
of misery and want is a sure pass
port TO everlasting happiness. No
other charge was made against the
rich man, and nothing else said in be-
half of the beggar. Again it teaches
| that there is no possible chance for
| the kindred of such rich man to be
| saved. He had five brethren against
| whom no charge was brought and vet
| he was told that it was utterly useless
| to try to save them.
We see without going further, that
| fair Interpretation of this parable
when considered alone, presents q
confusion of facts and reason, that is
| hard for a man of common sense Ito
| say nothing of intelligence) to accept.
But when we take it in connection
with the whole chapter, and in the
| light of many other parts of Gods
| word, together with historical facts.
| we see in it a sublime knowledge and
! foresight that could emanate only
| from God. We see that the figurative
! language used by the Savior was the
most appropriate that could have been
| used to convey the knowledge that
He wished to impart.
| Now let us begin with the chapter,
| and we find that it commences with
| the parable of the unjust steward. 1T
| is hardly necessary to go into detail
to show that this unS ast steward was
the Jew, whom God had placed over
| His affairs in this world. They had
| wasted His goods by their failure to
| carry out his commands, and the Saw
| Tor was here foretelling that they
| would be cast off. IF therefore We
| have not been faithful in the unright-
| eous mammon, who will commit to
| your trust the true riches?" God had
| only given them a foretaste of the
| earthly phase of His Kingdom, and
| if they had proved unworthy of that
| how could He entrust to them the
| true riches" the spiritual church.
| This we see went to the gentiles.
| The Pharisees also, who were covet-
GUS heard all these things; and they
| derided him." They knew that the
| parable referred to them and hence
| their derision.
| Having shown them that they
| would be cast off, He tells them in
| verse 10 when their severance from
! Gods favor began. 1.-THE law and the
/ prophets were until John: since that
| time the Kingdom of God is preached
and every man presseth into it," ''The
law and the prophets" The jewish
| dispensation under which none but
| the circumcised could come into Gods
favor was recognized by Him until
! John the Baptist began to preach
''the Kingdom of God at hand" and
! then every man (gentiles and alb
/ presseth into it," Showing that the
! old dispensation had passed away,
! and that the true riches" spiritual
| church had been given to the gentiles.
! The Savior follows this up with the
| assurance that, as a people, they
| should be punished for their sin. And
| it is easier for heaven and earth TO
| pass than one little of the law to fail. .
| In verse IS He intimates the charac-
ter of their sin. They had committed
adultery as a nation, by turning away
! from God and joining themselves unto
, the pleasures of the world. God had
forewarned them time and again that
if they did this He would destroy them.