The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-08-22

clergymen preach he. fire, | will say
that we preach the faith, and out faith
is the faith of the cnurch."
Rev. David S. Phelan, editor West
ern Watchman," stated: Catholic
priests do not preach a hell of fire. The
church has not taken a definite posi-
ton on the subject"
Rev. DR.. James w. Lee, of the
Methodist Episcopal church, South,
stated: Il do not believe in a fire-and-
birthstone hell, and l think l have
never heard but one sermon in which
that belief was expressed, and that
was down in Georgia years ago."
Rabbi Adolph R%osentreter is quoted
as saying with emphasis: 'The reso-
luton passed by the bible students at
Washington ought to have been passed
1900 years ago. l do not believe in a
literal hell of fire, of course. Orthodox
Jews do no. hold that idea"
The christian Leader inc Way"
prints the following: The American
Association for Bible Study has
solemnly stated that there is no hell.
A conference of English ministers has
adopted the same view. A few days
ago the Ministerial Association of
Marietta solemnly promulgated or in
dorsed a like doctrine. In other
words, the authorities of the christian
churches seem to agree that the old
biblical conception of a hell of unend-
L.. torment, of fire and birthstone, is
illogical and untruthful."
Pastor Russell of London and Brook
Ign Tabernacles, says: IF the bible
does teach that eternal torture is the
fate of all except the saints, it should
be preached, yea, Numbered, weekly,
daily, hourly. If it does not so teach,
the fact should be made known and
the foul stain dishonoring Gods holy
name removed"
Until the posing of the Washington
resolution few ministers could safely
publicly repudiate the hell-fre error,
lest they be charged by other minis
tiers with seeking personal notoricty,
as a sort of unwritten code OF ethics in
ministerial associations forbids indi-
vidual action on this and kindred mat
tiers. Now that the theological atmos-
phere has been cleared of a discredit-
ing and deterring fallacy the clergy
feel relieved, and it is hoped by many
that stranded christians and possibly
some skeptics, may be regained to de-
nominational activities.
Many l. B. S. A. delegates were most
positive in their statements that the
vast majority of clergymcn were in
hearty agreement with the president
of the l. B.. S. A. on the hell-fire myth,
and that they would gladly go on re-
cord, if opportunity afforded, and the
worldwide spontaneous response
more than justifies their claims. How
ever, there is no hopes expressed that
Billy Sunday and Pastor Russell will
agree.
Pastor Russell, president of the In
ternational Bible Students Association,
in the post has practically stood alone
in the lime-light on the anti-hell-fire
platform and withstood severe and I'M
just criticism. Now that leading
clergymen of many denominations
have mount: d the same platform he
will henceforth be only one of a galaxy
of great preachers to share the brunt
of battle against literal fre-and-brim-
stone adherents.
Progressive ministers do not ex
pect to find the battlefield vacated by
the stand-patters. 1t would be expect
ing too much to hope that all clergy
men would get into the band wagon
Immediately, and a few ministers of
wealthy and prominent congregations
will not willingly admit past errors,
fearing that such an admission would
cause laymen to disesteem them.
These ~stand-pat ministers would like
to bring about a countrywide on
slaught against Pastor Russell and all
other anti-hellfire preachers.
Progressives, however, art not to be
Continued on page Eighty