FROM OUR EXCHANGES

Robert E.

At the Rocky Mountain Missionary Convention of the Methodist Church at Denver, Col., Bishop W. F. Oldham, a famous organizer of missions in India, said, "Just prove to me that there is a sane man who honestly believes he will be burned alive forever in a place filled with brimstone and fire. It is possible that some men believe that others will be punished in that way, but it is not human to believe it will happen to one's self. If we threaten the natives whose souls we are sent to save with the terrors of eternal torture in a pit presided over by Satan and a horde of assistant devils, we place the Christian religion on almost as low a plane as the devil-worshipping systems of the heathen. People are punished for their sins in their own souls. The beginning of punishment lies in inheriting ourselves when we die. Sins are registered in personality, and if the personality is strong enough to survive what you call the 'here,' the punishment is not entirely in this life but in the hereafter as well, but I do not believe that any man will be punished forever."

Dr. A. B. Leonard of New York said, "To be sure there is no hell. It is unconceivable that God should create human beings for the purpose of torturing them eternally."

Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Grace Church, Chicago, said: "No man I know believes in a hell of literal fire and brimstone. It is a mediæval conception of things. Man will have to be responsible for the fruit of his doing in this life or hereafter. The better hell to warn men of is the hell of their own wrong-doing—the hell that is the consequence of their own voluntary acts. Man knows the effect of violation of the laws of health. Warn him of the effect of the breach of moral laws."—Universalist Leader.

We look in upon our own hearts, and our own experiences tell us of the working of that Spirit in our own lives, drawing us close together in proportion as He gains control over our habits, our intellects, our hearts, our wills, and all our ways. We know here to-day that just in proportion as we submit ourselves to Him shall we be drawn away from the unholiness of our dissension, the un-Christlikeness of our separations, into the one great body which bears His name and of which Christ our Lord shall be the head. To some generation this privilege is to given; some day the Church will come that shall realize at last in itself the blessed vision of our Lord, when all His people shall be one.

Robert E.
The New York Observer.

One of the greatest sources of concern to pastors in general to-day is the common indifference and evident lack of interest in matters spiritual among the people to whom they minister. Pastors are not asleep but many of them are sorely grieved and perplexed over the situation. The general apathy respecting religious work and the disposition to be controlled by the spirit of the world on the part of so many church members, are the things which are taking the heart out of many true men in the ministry and leading them to question whether their work has been a failure.

The Baptist Standard.

In the secular press of late there has been more discussion of what are the essentials of Christianity than we recall in many years. Men are apparently trying to get "back to Christ" and to find what is the real test of Christianity. While much has been said that is unwise, and some things that are unjust and untrue, we cannot but welcome such discussion; it shows a real interest in Christianity, and while it often comes from those who are not friendly to the Christian churches, the attitude of the writers proves that they do not count themselves enemies of Christianity.

The Churchman.

For God who has made himself known in Christ, makes himself partially known in godly men. Every shining face, like that which Moses brought from long communion with God, is a true testimony to God's character and love. Every considerate word and deed bears its witness to God's loving consideration. The better hours and qualities of evil men tell us something of God's plan of what a man might be.—The Congregationalist.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit