Arizona republican., 1922-04-22
Sir Arthur and the Preachers
about this.


We do not know whether it was because last
Sunday was Easter when the subject of resurrection
is a seasonal theme, that the pastors of Chicago
churches in apparent concert attacked interview
in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle within the week had
delivered himself of his conceptions of heaven, pur-
gatory and hell
Said one pastor: Misty photographs and spooks
half concealed by sheets substitute for
the clear teachings of the Bible" Another said that
few grains of comfort would be added to that which
comes already the knowledge revealed to and
he added this sting: "A great mind be rational
on certain themes but may part with nationality when
he discusses the unseen. did w. I. Stead fear
Sir Arthur belongs to this same class
More liberal and more frank the comment of
Rev. Arthur Rogers. an Episcopal clergyman: In the
intimate knowledge which he claims of the details Of
the future life we recognize that lively imagination
which made the creator Of Sherlock Holmes 1t is
interesting. We cannot say that it might not be
true But he gives the impression Of a writer of
fiction rather than of sober teacher OF religious
truth"
When we take an inventory of knowledge Of
the future as gained from the Bible find that
possess none as to the details which Sir Arthur has
attempted to supply. Every person who has been
subjected to religious teaching has his own con-
ception Of heaven and hell but it is nothing more
than conception such as may form of the ap-
pearance of a person of whom we have only heard
but whose description have not heard. Some
may picture him as black and large, while to
others he is light-hared and slight. We unavoid-
ably form pictures of things Of which have merely
heard
Sir Arthur's picture may be nearly accurate
as that of any other living man. and every living
mans picture may be true his. 1t cannot be
maintained. of these pastors asserted or
rather intimated that his teachings a poor
other Substitute the clear teachings of the Bible
on the subject of the resurrection of Christ for
nothing in the Bible touches upon the things which
Sir Arthur purported to reveal.
Biblical mention Of heaven and hell is unavoid-
ably made in figurative language.
The Bible only teaches us that heaven is state
of perfect bliss hell state OF unutterable
All the rest is veiled but we told all we need
to know. we may believe and, naturally, the most
of us believe that this veil will be pierced by
living man; that only in good time we shall know,
and that in the meantime should preserve
souls in patience and exercise that faith only through
which we may conquer.
1--WE have but faith, cannot know,
For knowledge is Of things we see.
A beam in darkness; let it grow"
We have sometimes thought that theoiogians in
their search of the Scriptures for hidden mean
ing. trying to wiring from the Divine Word some-
thing that the Divine Author had not disclosed have
failed in that essential Christian patience and faith;
emuators of the builders OF Babel that they might
ascend and counsel with God. And they. too, have
suffered confusion as great that in which the
builders thrown.
Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint and heard great argument
About it and about; but eyermore
Came out by the same door wherein went"
We hear of the simple teachings of the Bible"
From them gather easily knowledge of our
duty to God and duty to man. What else do we
need to know?