MR TROUP’S LECTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1009, 30 September 1903, Page 3

MR TROUP’S LECTURE.

‘(To the Editor Gisborne Times..)

Sir, —To describe Hell a place of rest, and not of torment, is singularly at variance with the Scriptures, if there be a place and state of eternal torment, it must be a matter of small importance what name you call it. Isaiah xxxiii., 14v., puts the question, Which of you can dwell with devouring fire ? Which of you can dwell with everlasting burnings ? St. Mark ix. has, A fire that cannot be quenched, where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not extinguished, and where evoryone shall be salted with fire. In St. Matthew xxv., An eternal fire and everlasting punishment. St. Matthew xiii., A furnace of fire, where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. St. . John, Rev. xiv., says, They shall drink of tho wine of the wrath of God, and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, and that the smoke of their torments ascendeth up for ever and ever, and that they shall have no rest day nor night. But why multiply texts? There is nothing so clearly exhibited in the Scriptures as the existence of Hell, the nature of its torments, and its endless duration. It would seem as if the Almighty would warn us of the danger of falling into it by these frequent repetitions. God is a God of mercy and of love, and earnestly desires the salvation of all men. Men condemn themselvos to Hell by rejecting His mercy and His love, by living in wickedness and in defiance of His law. To be just, God must punish as well as reward. Even our judges on earth inflict lifelong punishment on criminals, and even a sentence of death.—Yours, etc., Believer in the Bidle.