Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-08-20


another trial. as though Divine justice
were unable 10 determine rbe worth
ness or unworthiness Of the individual
for eternal life in one trial or testing.
We fully agree With this sentiment
but call attention 10 the fact that the
Sodomites did moi enjoy one trial for
life They and all mankind were
born in sin shapen in iniquity: in sin
did their mothers conceive them .
They were born under the sentence.
Dying thou shalt die" Neither they
nor anyone else. therefore. could be
placed upon trial for a future life ever
lasting or death everlasting. until re-
leased from the original sentence Of
death under which all were born And
no release from that death sentence
was granted TO anybody until the Re
deemer came and died. the Just for
the unjust" that. las by man came
death. by man also might come the
resurrection of the dead"
Only those. therefore. who have been
born since Jesus day could be released
from the original penalty, or could be
placed on trial for life or death eter-
nal. Only the Church. therefore. ac-
cepts this proposition. TO this agrees
the words of the Apostle. If zoe sin
wilfully after that zoe have come TO a
knowledge of the Truth. there remain
eth no more sacrifice for sin (such hav-
ing enjoyed and misused their share
OF the original sacrifice)-nothing but
fearful looking forward to of judg-
ment tsentenceJ and fiery indignation,
which will devour the adversaries OF
God-in the Second Death Hebrews x.
26l. The Sodomites, therefore. did not
enjoy any chance of eternal life. They
knew not the only name given under
heaven or amongst men whereby we
must be saved" Not only so, but the
majority of mankind since Jesus day
have never heard the Gospel in the
true sense OF the word hearing They
have never understood, never appre-
Slateu' IL luliyp tlSuIy.
More Tolerable For Sodomites.
1t may astonish some 10 know that
Jesus. speaking Of the Judgment or
trial of the world during the coming
age. during his Mediatoria Kingdom.
declared that that trial would be less
severe upon the Sodomites than upon
some OF those people to whom he
preached, who would also have a
share in the opportunities OF that
great epoch-an opportunity. with the
| Sodomites. of reconciliation TO God
and the attainment of eternal life.
His words were. Woe unto you Cho-
razzin and Bethsaida, for if the mighty
works which have been done in you
had been done in Sodom and Gomor-
rah, they would have repented long
ago in sackcloth and ashes. Therefore
say unto you, 1t shall be more toll
cradle for Tyre and SidOn in the day
OF judgment the worlds trial time,
the Millennium than for you MAT
thew II, % 23l. What more could we
ask upon this subject? What higher
authority could be invoked than the
Great Judge himself?
1t will not do to say that Jesus did
not refer to the same licentious Sod
omites mentioned by st. Jude in our
text. 1t will not do to say that Jesus
meant some Sodomites living in his
day, because there were none. The
Nf.-ff taII IA
same day that lot went out of Sodom
! it rained down fire and birthstone from
heaven and destroyed them all' duke
xvii. 29l When our Lord declares
| that 1t shall be more tolerable fol
( Sodom in the day Of Judgment thar
] for Caperuuum" and the other cities
in which he preached. he implies that
1t will still he toierable for those PEG
/ pie who heard him and who rejected
his message
! Thus It is Written"
This Gospel Age which began with
/ our Lords suderings and trying expe
! riences. and which has continued those
experiences With his followers, has foI
its object the preparation, the qualifi
cation. OF those who will be the Judges
Of the world in the coming Age. They
must all be developed in the fruits anC
/ graces of the Holy Spirit-"meekness
/ patience, brotherly kindness love.
else that will not be fit 10 be the
Judges Of mankind by and by 1t IL
required that all become copies OF the
Redeemer, Gods dear Son St Pau
tells us this. saying, Know ye no
that the saints shah judge the world 2
and that God has foreordained that al
OF these judges must be copies OF hi
Son? (Romans viii. 20; l Corinthianr
/ vi p.
Come back with me TO the Old Tesla
ment Scriptures and note how the Di
vine Spirit dictated this matter OF til,
future trial Of the Sodomites 10 one o
the prophets and caused ii TO be writ
ten for our instruction. Alas! as Jesu
said, we have been SLOW Of heart L
believe all that the prophets nav.