The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-09-27
Sermon by
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL.
Pastor Brooklyn
Tabernacle.

Knoxville, Tenn. Sept. 25.-A Con-
vention of Bible Students is In session
In this city. Pastor Russell of the
Brooklyn Tabernacle. as President Of
the International Bible Students Asso-
ciation, addressed the Students twice
today. His audiences were large and
intelligent We report one Of his ad-
dresses from the text foregoing. He
said-
Much speculation has been aroused
by our text. Some have claimed that
it signifies that Christ. after his death
on the cross and before his resurrec-
ton, went to some place where human
spirits are imprisoned in some kind Of
purgatory and there preached to them.
Not only is the Catholic theory in line
with this suggestion, but many Protes-
tants hold that the dead may be pray
ed for and thus be assisted to escape
from eternal torment. All of this is
wrong, as we shall show-quite con-
trary to the teachings Of our text when
viewed In the light of its context.
Those preached to were not human
beings, but spirit bengs-not men. but
angels. This Is clearly stnted In verse
20. which tells us when these angels
were imprisoned and why. They were
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arN was preparing u'"'"N ""cN
10 the 'rh'SlS account oI 'ha' 'iIiie we
nhu qul'e II co'upl''c 'e'"Fu or history
OF these dlS"bra'nl Sp'rils' III the
slSth Chnpt! verses J."
Angels Frcierrcd to Go Humans.
Some time after father Adams DISC
bedlencn and his pyuu!Slnn from Eden
the holy angels were permitted to
visit humanity with view TO assist.
ing men back to harmony with God
This doubtless was permitted for two
reasons: First had such an opportu-
nifty not been furnished. the angels
might In the conclusion of Gods great
Plan. have been iucllned to say, Yes,
God accomplSshpd human salvation,
but In very roundabout way and at
very great cost and trouble Had he
given us an opportunity to mingle with
humanity we might have had an up
lifting Influence upon the people and
have ACCOMPLISHED their reconciliation
to God.
God wished to forestall any such
misunderstanding of the wisdom Of
the Plan which he had arranged and
would. In due time. work out; second
ly, the angels themselves never had
come In contact with sin of any kind.
Hence they never had been tested or
tried In respect to their obedience and
loyalty TO the Creator They were per-
mitted to attempt the recovery of hu,
manlty-partly In order to test their
own obedience and loyalty to God
Our knowledge of spirit beings and
the powers granted TO them by the
Almighty IL limited TO our observation
OF the Bible record. The angels who
appeared ns young men AT our Lords
sepulchrc ANA again at his ascension
'
plished the purposes "r thelr VISIT van
ished' are ILLUSTRATIONS
we remember the account OF now
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