The Rev. R.S. Bunn on Eternal Punishment.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2987, 15 July 1878, Page 2

The Rev. R.S. Bunn on Eternal Punishment.

The Bey. B. S. Bunn delivered an able address on Eternal Punishment at the Grahamstown Wesieye^i Church^ last evening, before a large and attentive congregation. The rev. gentleman chose for his teat Matthew 26th Oh., 24th v.—"lt had been better for that man if he had 1 not been bcrn." He divided the address into three parts, viz., annihilation, restoration, and tie evidences of eternal punishment. The indestructibility of matter was dwelt on to some length. ; If that was a soucd principle in physics wonld the Creator annihilate a much higher organization bearing his own moral image. The preacher illustrated this by; the simile of a river in Africa-tlost in the sands of the desert for a while, and again reappearing in copious streams and waterfalls. The second part of the discourse—^restoration —was then dealt with. This lie said was no modern hearsay, but bad originated in the third centaly with Origan, who blended Christianity with the system of Plato, and many of the first principles of Apostolic Christianity were abandoned. He .then referred to the revival of the theory of the restoration of sinners which took place 3S' years ago, the Bey. E. White being/amongst the first Who entertained the theory. He spoke to some length on this matter, pointing out its fallacy, astime, suffering, and chastisement was no equivalent to the great atoning sacrifice of Christ, j The eternity of punishment was then treated upon. The preacher pointed out that the terms used in the Bible on the subject wera the strongest to be found to express endless duration of punishment. Such terms were used as" everlasting/j " for ever arid ever," and " eternal." There could be no doubt as to the meaning of thfse terms, as: they were also applied to the self-existing and etarnal God. There was no expression implying limitation of the punishment of the wicked. In conclusion the rev. gentlemen said that the only fair conclusion to be drawn was that the punishment of the wicked would be equal in duration to the happiness of the saved ; and eternal bliss and eternal woe would be equal in duration to the existence of God himself.