Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-09-15
THE SAME YET DIFFERENT


We are requested by a friend 70 ex-
plain the difference between predesti-
nation and Generalization. There Is
a pathological and also a theological
meaning OF those terms. In the strict
word signiacation they express the
same idea. To predestine an event
and to fore-ordain It, are merely dif-
ferent terms for the same thing But
predestinaton has obtained a theolog-
zeal signlncation which conveys a DIFF
fcrent meaning to fore-ordlnation' II
is that, we suppose, that our cores
pondent wishes explained.
According TO the Calvinistic doctrine
OF predestlnation, the Almighty, before
the foundation OF the world. determined
that a certain number OF the souls he
would create-the children whom lie
Intended to bring forth--should be ever
lastingly saved from sin and perditlon
through the merits OF His Son Jesus
the Christ alone and all the rest should
be eternally doomed TO ceaseless tor
ments In hell-Are. The few 20 be
saved from the rubbish OF nature"
not for any good that they themselves
might do, and the majority condemned,
not for evils Of which they might be
personally guilty. but their fate was
fixed beforehand, all for the praise and
glory Of God In the exercise Of His SOW
ereign power.
This being predestinated OF course II
may be argued that II was fore
ordained. But the scrlptural doctrine
Of generalization does not necessarily
imply the awful human theory known
as predestinauon, It declares that GER
tain individuals were ordained before
they were born, FOR a station and a
work 10 which they would be adapted.
at given times and places on earth.
They were 10 be raised up for the
special purpose divinely intended. with
environments and circumstances tend
ing to favor their development and ac-
lion on the lines required. But this
does not imply their salvation or con-
domination irrespective Of their merits
or dement's. OF Interference with the
exercise Of their individual agency and
will.
The great leaders Of mankind In re-
llgion, IN science. In art, IN COLOMBIA
ton. In exploration, In war. in peace.
IN craftsmanship and IN all other de-
partments Of human life and progress.
were thus foreordained to be born when
and where they would be needed. in the
plans aud purposes Of the Eternal
Father concerning the human race, As
jeremiah was known TO God before he
was formed IN the body and ordained
by Him to be a prophet to the nations
(see jeremiah C. I, y. - SO other proph.
cts We're similarly selected Napoleon
was thus, as he said. a man of desu-
ny" So was George Washington. The
same may bee said OF Lincoln and many
others OF modern times, also OF Abra-
ham, Moses, David, Cyrus. Alexander
and the grand heroes, poets, sages and
seers Of former ages, as well ms Of
the latter days They were chosen
nom the beginning, but not prelsstin-
ated TO be saved or damned on the CAL
whistle principle.
Foreordination 20 a given work on
earth, was pr5dIoated on foroknow-
ledge Of what they would do when
placed In the.s several spheres Of acc
ton. No rumulsion Was or is eXer-
cIsed upon tlsm from above or beneath
They were and are left TO- their own
yoIit.on and win De- judged according
20 their works Their merits ana De.
merits WIN count Tor what hey are
wor,h. In eternity they win De what
they are and vim occupy chat position
for which they are lifted. determined by
their earthly acts and ,he.r olapu-
hIIty for higher or lower. or inter.
mediate place .r rhe many mansions"
OF tae Father 0sal
Salvation is a.t aal'a t0 cyerv soul
who win receive the Savior aud obey
His word and WILL None win Dee lost
that can possibly De saved In the
body CT out Of the body the opportunity
20 receive the truth and serve God win
be Afforded them, and redemption Win
----- even