The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-29
IS THERE A HE'LL?
The Word Is Used in Both the Old Testament and the

In letter to the editor of the New York Sun Rev. Walter J. Shanley, rector of St. Peters, Danbury has this to say:
 Sir, In a letter to The Sun recent ly Doctor of Divinity says that our pulpits are silent on the question of he'll I beg to differ with him. The doctrine of hell is preached from thousands of Catholic pulpits throug h. cut Christendom. The reverend. doc tor clearly sees that "the Old Testa- m ent Scriptures never taught an eter- nal hell of punishment" He has studied very carefully the words of the Great Teacher and is certain that He never taught it.
 I will quote a few of the many texts of Scripture to show that the doctrine of hell is taught in the Old Testament and was inculcated by Christ Himself:
 A fire is kindled in My wreath and hall burn ever to the lowest he'll. (DeUt. XX1ii, 23.)
 The sinners of Sion are afraid trem bling hath seized upon the hI'po- critics. Which of you can dwell with devouring fire? Which of you shall dwell with everlasting burnilhgs (Isalas, xxxii., 14.)
 The dead that are in hell, whose spirit is taken away from their bow els, shall not give glory and justice to the Lord. (Baruch, ii., ID
 Woe be to the nation that riseth up against my people; for the Lord AL mighty will take revenge on them, in the day of judgment He will visit them. For He will give fire, and worms into their flesh, that they may burn and may feel forever. (Judith xvi, 20, 21.)
 Christ in describing the last judg- 1nent said:
 Then shall the King say to them also that shall be on his left hand :: everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. est. Luke, Axv., 41.)
 Christ in the parable of Lazarus and Dives pictured the latter in hell: 'The rich ma also died and he was buried in heI.' In this parable hell is en phatically called a place of torments. ; est. Luke, xvi, 28.) Christ in warning against the fear of the world said to the Jews: Fear ye him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell.' est. Luke, xii, 5.)
 Christ in preaching against scandal used these words: If thy eye scandaliZe thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom of God, than having two eyes to be cast into the nell or Ire. (SC. NdTk, 4O-
 There are abundant texts in Scrip ture to prove the existence of hell. In the very last book, the Apocalypse, or Revelation the teaching is very de- finite. In describing the last attempts of Satan against the Church St. John says:
 And there came down fire from God out of heaven and devoured them, and the devil who seduced them was cast into the pool of fire and birthstone, where both the beast and the false prophet shall be tor mented day and night forever and ever. (ApOc., XX., 9.)
 In the eighth verse of the twenty first chapter of the same book the author denomiRateS some of the souls who will people hell:
 But the fearful and unbelievinS and the abOninable and murdererS and wfOremongers and sorcerers and idolaters, and all liars, they shall have their portion in the pool burn ing with fire and birthstone, which is the second death.
 The thought of hell is uncomfort- able in this age of luxury, worldiness and crime. As the wicked say ia their hearts, there is no God. so too they say there is TO hell
 WALTER J. STANLEY
 Danbury, Conn.,, January 26.