The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-06-22

| tory has been op.
| lRAsI0R RUSSELD posed by Protest.
- ants upon the plea
that Purgatory is not mentioned in the
Bible. Let US admit that no such Pur-
gatory us Dante pictured has any vol.
ume Of foundation. Let US admit that
not all that Catholics have claimed re.
specting purgatory is either Scriptural
or logical.
But let us admit also that there are
Scriptures (of which our text is onel
which tell of salvation by fire" that
evidently is not the salvation In which
the ''elect" Of God will participate us
more than conquerors" through obedl.
emily following in the footsteps Of
Jesus their Redeemer. Indeed, our text
is the principal one used by our Cath.
Ole brethren in support OF their Pur.
gatory.
Pursatory lp Our Text.
But If the Pastor did not agree with
the Professionals that there is no Purga.
tory taught In the Bible. neither did
he agree with the Catholics respecting
the kind of Purgatory, for he pro-
ceeded to show that his text referred,
not to place Of suffering. purgation
that existed ia the Apostles day. but
that the Apostle was here speaking
ptophetically. of the end of this Gospel
Age-foretelllng purgatorial condition
at that time-not after men have died,
nor in another world. but in the pres
emf life. and on this earth.
Indeed, sdid Pastor Russell. not only
Is the Ere of this text symbollcal of
trouble, but the same is true of nearly
all that Is said about Gre In the Bible.
There is n process of destruction, con.
sumption, Gods righteousness is
spoken Of as consuming fire which
burns against all sin and unrighteous-
ness.
The context shows that the Apostle
is discussing the Church in her earthly
estate; that some Of the brethren
would not at. the time appreciate the
difference between 'the gold, silver
and precious stones" Of the Divine
promises and the cheaper materials
likcnlng them to wood. hay and stub.
ble:" but that q day would come in
the end of the Age when the Lord
would specially test. His people and
when the tests would be severe and
crucial like fire. In that day wood. hny
and stubbic would be consumed; but
the gold. silver and precious stone
Characteristics Of the true faith and
proper Misunderstanding would re.
main. We are not to understand him
to mean that doctrines are all-impor-
tant. but rather that they are reflect
cd in the acknowledgements Of the
individual who without them would be
unable to stand in the testlnes that
would surely come in the close of this
Age.
The Apostle points out, however. that
all who build their faith on Christ will
eventually be saved. no matter how
! .;':s,cS- error they may get into-even
cir entire faith structure Is
d will be consumed in the
cry trial. All who build faith
full accord with the Divine
b. obcdlently. will become
Is with the Redeemer in His
u. while those who build their
Him. and maintain It even
rror, will be eventually saved.
lower salvation. Theirs
purgatorial experience-purl-
ictifying. fitting them for an
leasing on the spirit plane,
efore the throne instead Of In
:
n Time Mentioned In Toxt.
itly we are now living In the
Q mentioned in our text
Gods people under the fiery
"higher criticism" and "scl.
ely SO called" experienced a
the faith they possessed. be.
BY possessed only the wood,
stubble Of human tradition,
the gold. silver and precious
the Divine Revelation.
according to prophecy, we
the time Is fast approaching
d will have further reckon
the Gentiles and especially
portion called Christendom.
favored, the responsibilities
n proportonate. The sqnar.
lat account means "a time OF
UGH us never was since there
ltion."
Twill not be In another world
Aother life nor eternal In dura.
stead, God will merely permit
in seIfishness Of heart reject.
Counsels, to wreck present civ.
to such an extent that, unless
ays were shortened, there
5 flesh be saved. But on nc.
the elect those days. will be
d, by the establishment OF
ngdom, to restrain evil. to en-.
the world and to assist the
ind obedlent back into the I'm.
likeness of God. Y