Future punishment...

Front matter

JKOBATP

Hearing the air cut by their verdant plumes, the serpent fled ; And, to their stations, back the angels up return'd with equal flight.

Canto Vin.

Preface

HE Doctrine of Future Punishment has for many years engaged the attention of thinking minds, on both sides the Atlantic. Notable departures from the old faith have but stimulated enquiry, and led to greater study of those portions of God's word which treat of this allimportant truth. The result cannot be otherwise than beneficial. Although in the somewhat severe conflict of opinions, the discussion may not always seem profitable or promotive of Christian charity, yet in the end it must lead to a more intelligent conception of the truth, and a deeper reverence for the Volume of inspiration. This treatise has been written and compiled at the request of the Publishers, to meet a felt want in many Christian homes. Volumes by specialists in Science and Theology abound, but these for the most part are beyond the capacity and comprehension of the ordinary reader, and only treat of some one phase of the question, with which the writer is specially concerned. An attempt has been made in the present work to discuss, however cursorily, nearly all the leading views held regarding the future punishment of the wicked, in the simplest possible language, and at the same time to include in the Notes and separate papers, the more scholarly and abstruse discussions of thoughtful minds, both in the old world and the new. To students, therefore, as well as to the general reader, it is hoped that the volume may at least be helpful, if not exhaustive.

Instead of proceeding at once to discuss the doctrine of Universalism, as opposed to the orthodox view held by Evangelical churches, the teachings of Materialism are first considered. For, if as is alleged by Materialists, there is no immortality for man, it is useless to discuss the different opinions held as to the nature or duration of punishment, in a state which has no existence. Is there a future state ? Is the present the precursor of an endless existence? Is man an accountable being? or is the grave an eternal sleep, and heaven and hell mere speculations, without anything approaching reality ? Such questions meet us on the very threshhold of the subject, and demand consideration before all others.

Following this and closely connected with the main question, several chapters have been devoted to a consideration of " Conditional Immortality," "Optimism,": Probationism, Purgatory and Agnosticism ; until finally, and at greater length, the old orthodox viev/ of Eternal Punishment is discussed, as opposed to modern rationalism and restorationism : — theories — which if we rightly judge, undermine all faith worthy of the name, and rob the Almighty of His holiest and most glorious attributes.

Those who expect to find in this Volume, a mere " symposium " of the different opinions held regarding Future Punishment, will be disappointed. While an earnest endeavor has been made, not to misrepresent the views held by those who are at variance with the Evangelical Creed, no uncertain sound is given as to the opinions held by the several writers. I know that it is said by some, that old-fashioned doctrinal preaching is dying out : that old doctrines have sunk into oblivion : that future retribution is now only alluded to : that eternal punishment is never taught in the pulpit of to-day ; and that in the few instances where the orthodox creed is held, the prosperity of the church is blighted, the pulpit loses its power over the masses, vital religion dies out, sanctuaries are deserted, and educated men become infidels ! Those who speak thus, wilfully misrepresent facts. In Canada and the United States, the pulpit was never more definite and outspoken regarding the Doctrine of Eternal Punishment than at the present moment ; orthodox congrega-

PREFACE. 7

tions were never more numerous and aggressive, and contributions to missions never more liberal.

To those of my brethren in the different churches, who have so kindly aided me in the preparation of this Volume, my best thanks are due. Without their contributions, the discussion of this momentous question would have been far less valuable than it is.

I trust that the Publishers, who have undertaken the responsibility of issuing the Volume, and all who may promote its circulation, may feel, that apart from any monetary return, they have aided in the defence of "the faith, once delivered to the saints."

Finally, and in the words of another : " Whatever, be the fate of human speculations on this tremendous topic, be it ours to cultivate the simplicity of faith which is independent of them. Even though in its vastness and mystery it continue to rebuke our feeble reason, let it stand in the naked simplicity of fact ; a truth great, and terrible and certain ; planted deep in the nature of God's attributes, and, therefore, unfathomable as all things that are of Him ; but withal addressing itself to the simplest and strongest feelings of man, his dread of pain, his horror of shame, and misery, and death ; meeting him at every turn to evil, and casting a fearful shadow across those pleasures that are not of God, and those glories where God's glory is forgotten ; meeting him at the first fatal step upon that course which ends in the abyss of woe it denounces, and warning him at once to flee the bondage of seductions which grow as they are obliged, and strengthen with every victory ; warning him that all the temporal results of sin — are but shadows of the overwhelming penalty it brings, when the mercy, which still restrains to these limits the fulness of divine vengeance shall have ceased ; and the sin and the punishment which are now but temporary, passing together into the world of eternity, and still, as ever, bound in inseparable links, shall become themselves alike eternal."

WILLIAM COCHRANE.

LIST OF AUTHOEITIES.

Note. — The following Authors, among others, have been consulted or quoted, in the preparation of this volume :

Abbott, Lyman Dr.

Adler, Professor Felix Allon, Dr. Henry Argyle, His Grace the Duke of Augustine.

Barnes, Dr. Albert Bartlett, Professor Bascom, President John Beecher, Dr. Lyman Beecher, H. W.

Brady, Rev'd Cheyne Breckenridge, Dr. R. J, Brewster, Sir David BusHNELL, Dr. Horace

Caird, Principal Candlish, Principal Carlyle, Thomas Clemance, Dr. Clement Cook, Rev'd Joseph Constable, Rev'd H.

Cumming, Dr. John

Dante,

Darwin, Professor

Dawson, Sir J. W.

Delitzsch, Professor

Dick, Dr. John

Edwards, Dr. Jonathan Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Farrar, Canon Franklin, Benjamin Eraser, Dr. William

Haeckel, Professor Harrison, Frederick Hirschfelder, Professor Hodge, Dr. Charles Hugo, Victor Hume, David Huxley, Professor

Kellogg, Professor S. H.

Kingsley, Rev'd Charles KiTTO, Dr. John Knapp, Dr. G. C.

Leighton, Archbishop Lyell, Professor

Mathieson, Dr. George Maurice, Professor F. D.

Hunger, Dr. T. T.

McCosH, Dr. James McGiLVRAY, Dr. Walter McLeod, Dr. Donald McLeod, Dr. Norman

Newton, Sir Isaac

Parker, Theodore Patterson, Dr. Robert Patton, Dr. F. L, lO

FUTURE PUNISHMENT.

Pearson, Bishop Pettingell, Rev'd J. H.

Phelps, Professor Plumptre, Professor PuNSHON, Dr. Morley PUSEY, Dr. E. B.

Rogers, Professor George Robertson, Rev'd F. W, Robinson, Dr. Stuart

Saurin, Rev. James Shedd, Professor W. T. G.

Smith, Professor Henry B.

Smith, Professor Joseph H'y

Spencer, Herbert Spurgeon, Rev'd C. H.

Stuart, Professor Moses Symington, Dr. A. Macleod Swedenborg, Emmanuel

Thornwell, Dr. J. H, Thompson, Dr. J. P.

Tyndall, Professor

Wallace, Professor Watts, Dr. Robert White, Rev'd Edward Whittier, J. G,

Contents

':^NTRODUCTORY. Different views held as to a future ^(|[ state. The Materialistic — Annihilationist — O^Jtimistic — Probationist — Romish — Dantean — Agnostic — Uni" versalist — And Orthodox.

Materialism. — Man nothing but a Material Organism, whose conscious existence terminates at death — The theory in some form or other advocated for thousands of years — Prevalent in China three hundred years before the christian era. Teaches that every particle of matter is endued with life. Common distinction between mind and matter ignored. The Universe always has existed, and must continue to exist for ever. At death man as an individual ceases to exist, but the forces which belong to him enter into the composition of other men. All existence traced to matter, which never having been created cannot be destroyed. Immateriality and Spirituality, meaningless words. Feeling, thought and will, only modifications of the nerves and brain. Belief in a future life a dream and a delusion. Materialists not all agreed as to the value of the conclusions aimed at. Some disown the name. Quotations from Haeckel, Huxley and Tyndall.

Evolution. — Differs from Materialism. Does not do away with the necessity of a Creator. The present course of nature, a development of original and infinitely early laws. Man the legitimate offspring of the bestial race by a link of unbroken succession. The chemic lump shapes itself into the human form, and within the recesses of the human brain assumes a spiritual character, and thinks. Baselessness of such a theory shown, by quotations from the writings of MacGilvray, Newton, Sir David Brewster, and others ; with Notes on Materialism and Evolution from the writings of Professor Lyell, Alfred Russell Wallace, Professor Joseph Henry Smith, Dr. R. Patterson, Professor Henry B. Smith, Dr. Charles Hodge, The Duke of Argyle, Thomas Carlyle, Dr. James McCosh, and Sir J. W. Dawson.