And there was lately a remarkable expression of Christian charity on the
part of the Episcopal Church in the United States. At a triennial
convention of that body held at Richmond, there was passed a resolution
opening the pulpits of the Episcopal Church to clergymen of other
denominations. The resolution was then referred to the House of Bishops,
which passed it by a vote that was practically unanimous.
This is a marvellous advance in Christian unity, and a tacit
recognition of the secondary nature of many questions that were once
thought to be of primary importance. Amongst other topics, there may
well be a difference of opinion on matters pertaining to the next life.
* * * * *
And I believe that the Methodist Church is really, though not avowedly,
in a state of transition on the same point. I was speaking a short time
ago with a noted official of that church, and one that has a wide and
intimate acquaintance with the views of his brethern. He said to me,
very candidly, that the ministers of the Methodist Church do not believe
in eternal punishment; and he said this with such an air of satisfaction
that I concluded that he himself took that position.
As for the Congregational Church, it makes no pretense of exacting such
a view on the part of its ministers. Some of its ministers and members
uphold that theory; but there is perfect liberty of opinion. I know that
many of their ministers believe in Conditional Immortality. Dr. Edward
White, of England, the apostle of that doctrine, was a highly respected
minister of that church.
I think I am right in saying that there is no Universalist Church in
England. There Universalism is no barrier to membership in the
Congregational Church.
At all events, in either of the four churches named, there is little or
no preaching of eternal torment. That is the outstanding fact. We can
account for the fact only on the supposition that the doctrine is not
believed. If it were really believed it would certainly be preached. If
it is true it ought to be preached, morning, noon and night. One cannot
conceive of believing in hell fire as the doom of sinners, and not
warning men of it, even with the earnestness of frenzy.