The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-16

lasting Observation-Disclosures
Doctrine Regarding Punishment
Explained.
The sermon preached last Sunday by
Rev. James Benninger, pastor o. the
Hampton Street Methodist Episcopal
church, in which he proclaimed his be-
lief in a literal hell called for a most
vigorous reply last night from Alfred
]. Donley. prominent local Universal
list, who spoke in All Souls Universal
list church. He spoke in part as fol-
lows:
REV. Mr. Benninger said last Sun
day that he preached n literal hell be-
cause the doctrine was not being
preached from modern pulpits as much
as it used to be. 1t was, of course,
his duty if he is a sincere believer to
preach this doctrine. There are very
few clergymen, however. who would
dare to take this parable to preach the
doctrine of a literal hell. It's a very
hard thing to find any passage in it
that may possibly be construed 10
teach the doctrine.
"IIe says that there is a literal hell
~
That's Inconsistency on it's face How
could such a thing be? Canon Farrar,
of England has said that there are
three things taught by the Christian
church that are now essentials. He
summed up these three things as fol-
lows:
"First-That the fire of hell is n ma
terial fire and that the agonies suf-
fered there are physical agonies.
"Second-That those who die in sin
pass irrevocably into this literal hell
"Third-That the punishment of
those doomed to hell is everlasting.
TWO ARE INCONSISTENT.
II tell you that it is a very good
thing that there is not more of this
preaching of this terrible doctrine
from our modern pulpits, for the cler-
gyman who breaches hell-flre cannot
consistently preach of the love of God
l will try to distinguish between the
various Christian conceptions of hell.
The Calvinistic churches believe
that God selects few people who are
to escape this everlasting punishment.
Those who are to be saved are elected
by Him and according to His mercy
He shall save us.
The Armenian churches, not exact
ly liking this doctrine, teach that man
condemns himself of his own free will,
that he can be saved from hell If he
so chooses.
THE Universalist church teaches
that the sinner receives punishment
for his sins in this life and in the life
to come. What this punishment Is
we do not dogmatize upon. We be-
| lieve that all punishment is for the
purpose of correction only and it's eX-
tent we leave to the Almighty God.
THE Calvinistic doctrine is revolving
| to any minister who is a lover of hu-
manity and IL is what has caused a
| deal of trouble lately among the
churches preaching 1t. Those who be-
lieVe 1t are forced to believe in in
| FAINT damnation and in the damnation
| of the heather. 1t means the eternal
damnation of all, in fact, aXcept the
| few whom God may elect to be saved.
THE Armenian churches revolt at
| the idea of infant damnation, but their
position is illogical, because, If there
| is literal hell, infant damnation must
be, as only those who are converted
believers can be saved.
| "The Universalist church agrees
| slightly with both of these views. We
| believe that the will of Almighty God
will prevail, but that God willeth
| death to no man. We believe that
| Cod in giving man a free WILL allows
| him to choose a great deal for himself
| but we believe that mans will is al
ways subpect to Gods.
| TENDENCY NOT GOOD.
"The tendency of this doctrine of 6
| literal, everlasting hell preached to the
| people is not a good one. I believe
| that almost all cruelty existing In
| Christian countries may be traced
| back to this conception of God pun
| ishing people unjustly by melting ou
infinite torments for a finite thing. II
| there is no hell a great responsibility
| attaches to those who preach tha
there is one.
| "Rev. Mr.. Benninger contends thai
there is a great gulf fixed between
heaven and hell that can never bC
bridged. The Bible says that Chris
has the keys to death and hell, anG
who may say that He may not again
preach to the spirits in hell as we are
told in the Epistles of Peter Ithat He
| OllNc Nllu'
"Rev. Mr.. Benninger quotes BishoI
Fowler as saying: 'Banishl hell from
the next world and you inaugurate 4
| in this That to my mind is tanta
mount to saying, Whether there is &
hell or not preach it for the sake o.
eXpediency.'
HE quotes DR.. Barnes as inquirinf
how it is possible for the UNIVERSAL
lists to believe that hell will yet bt
vacated of guilty millions, and tha'
all it's miserable inhabitants will be
received into heaven The Univer
salist church does not preach for {
moment that guilty millions are goint
| from hell into heaven.
I'VE believe that every human sou
must be perfect before it can entel
heaven, and that none without holi
ness may see the Lord. We teach tha
God loves all of us and wishes naugh
but good for us all"
ANTI-SALOON WORK,