The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-06

a preacher could select-that moth.
ing Is more repugnant to the aver
age church gathering than to pres
ent the actual facts as to hell.
| Rev. Mr.. Erwin made It plain that
he had no theory OF his own-nC
| preconceived ideas as to just what
hell is or what its punishment con-
sists of-other than the statements
made in the Bible.
He took up the different theories
as presented by the advocates of
those theories-measuring them by
the words OF Jesus-comparing their
theories with the conclusions OF
students and scholars who have
studied and translated the scrip
lures from the original and asked
his hearers to judge for themselves.
AS a foundation for his belief in
future punishment he called atten-
ton to the fact that Jesus, had in
sistently referred to future punish
ment for the wicked-that no other
fact in relation to life and death has
so much prominence in the new
testament, quoting familiar passages
Of scripture in support of his state
ment.
From front to cover said the
references to the plan for salvation
and every part has reference to
the fact that God-patient and long
sufering-will give opportunity for
repentancs-but that those who do
not repent must suffer the con-
sequences.
Christ taught that there is hell
that It Isl a place of torment and
in several places makes reference to
what it is. He taught the fact of
everlasting life and coincidentally
taught everlasting punishment for
the w1cked-as in the case Of Dives
and Lazarus-the most graphic pic
ture OF the punishment OF the wicked
which the Bible contains.
In scathing language the speaker
riddled the claims Of those who teach
that there is no hell or future
punishment-paying particular at
tentiOn to the teachings of Pastor
Russell and Mrs. Eddy. Meeting
point by point their teachings by
Bible truths he held up before his
hearers-aslSinR them TO Judge which
taught truly-men and women who
have only their own views to support
their teaCfings-or the plain facts
as set forth in the teachings Of the
master.
As to defining hell fire he stated
that no mortal had yet been able to
determine what makes fire. Using
as an illustration the familiar old |
time way OF striking f1re-steel and |
flint, the spark from which set on |
fire the infianrnable material into
which the spark fell he asked where !
the fire oTiginated-in the flint or in /
the steel Rain falling on lime |
fire-is the fire in the water /
or in the lime? A NOW Of hay burns |
up from spontaneous combustion"
what is spontaneous combustion? /
Christ taught that the wicked burn /
In O. lake OF fire--whether that fire /
Is an Actual-reai burning flame or
the soaring process OF a conscience
which will not let its possessor rest
10 makes no difference-fhe thing to
do is to avoid If possible ever know
ing the actual fact as to what hell
really is.
To persist in sin-to remain I'M
live a. life in direct
to the teachings OF the
SON OF God and in defiance Of the
iivine plan OF Salvation. That is
he way to make sure OF experiencing
he tortures Of hell-0whatever form
hat hell may take. To live Alright
% acknowledge the Master and live
u closely to Him as possible. That
5 the way TO avoid it.
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