The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-20
FATHER SUTTON ON ~HELI...

FATHER SUTTON ON ~HELL.. Catholic Priest Delivered Interesting
 Lecture at St. Peter's.
 Rev. Father Xavier Sutton, was again greeted with a crowded church at St. Peters last night to hear his lecture. Each succeeding night intensifes the interest in his lectures and his clear presentation of the existence of a hell was received with the greatest atten- tion.
 Father Sutton was at times eloquent, again pathetic and at all times logical and intelligible. The question box was again an instructive feature of the de- votions.
 The following questions, among oth- CTS, were asked and answered last night: 'Ts it a sin for a Catholic and non Catholic to be married?' Why do Catholics pray with beads and hold them sacred?" Why do Catholic laity not partake of wine in communion?" Why do Catholics use holy waterT Explain the use of incense in the formation, did not the Anglican Church exist In England?" Why do Catholics wear scapulars?' What is an Agnus Dei?" Why do Catholics kneel to the priest when entering a Catholic Church?" Do they take com munion?" Are those who steal bound to give back what they steal before they receive dissolution In confession?" Do priests forbid theatresT' Why are Protestants filled with awe when they enter a Catholic Churchr Several questions relating to marriage and divorce were put off until tonight, when a special lecture will be devoted to both subjects.
 The question. "Is there a hellY' was emphatically answered in the affrma- tive by Father Sutton. His argument was based upon the testimony of the Biblical writers on the subject and was clear-cut and convincing. He quoted extensively from the utterances of Christ and of the Apostles. in which the existence of hell is declared.
 We have tR word of Christ. the Son of God" said Father Sutton, "and opposed to 1t Is the word of discredited men who go from place to place declar- ing the non existence of such a place as hell is described to be, for the pur- pose of tustifying their own wicked lives, or of extorting money from the credulous."
 How easy it is to go through life with the comforting assurance that there ] Is no he1ll How popular that minister | of the Gospel who tells his congrega- | ton that there cannot be a future life | of punishment! Despite all this. not |
 
 the existence of such a life. Can we, | for a moment, suppose that a just God | can treat all alike at the last day, the | wicked who prosper here below, and | the good who suffer much. Many menl comfort themselves with the delusfon that God Is too merciful to condemn any of His creatures to everlasting | torments. They say that the Idea that God will punish eternally men who have committed sin in single moment l of time Is too cruel for beltel; that the penalty would be out of all proportion to the offence. This Is popular fall lacy. God being Infinitely just as well | as merciful must punish, if He Is to remain God. Punishment is an attrib- ute of justice. We cannot deny to God, what we admit in human justice. Furthermore, the question of time does not enter into the matter at all. the crime itself being the only measure of punishment. The greater the crime. the greater the punishment it deserves. | God being infinitely great. an offence committed against Him must be. so to speak, infinitely great, and. therefore, deserving of lasting punishment No atonement can suface for such crime. Of this atonement we cannot nave an adequate conception.
 We cannot understand the manner in which the spirit will be devoured by a never-dying fiame," said Father Sut- ton. but we have the assurance of the Holy Scriptures that that will be the case Above all other tortures will be the everlasting feeling of regret that through wilful disobedience the soul has brought upon itself the wrath of an outraged God with whom reconcile tion becomes forever impossible"
 The lecturer dwelt impressively and eloauently on/the sentences that will be uttered by our Savior when soul comes before its Creator to render an account of its stewardship"
 If that life be a misspent one, he said the soul will listen to the fearful sentence, Depart from me. ye cursed, into everlasting fire If 1t be good one, passed in following the Command ments, even through endurance of sut- ferine. the sentence that brings to the soul everlasting peace and joy Will pc Come, ye blessed or my Father, for yours is the Kingdom or Heaven which is prepared for you.
 Here Father Sutton gave numoer of beautiful illustrations of the idea of eternity, which means time onHte- rated. and closed with an earnest ap- neal to the congregation to repent while there was yet time and while they were on probation.
 For the first time since the lectures began a Catholic service proper was Benediction of the most Holy Sacrament was given in conclu- sion. .,.or
 Tonight the lecture will be on Mar riaRe and Divorce" a subject or wloe- spread interest and importance.
 cLa-ua~ Apninat English Government.