THE WESLEYAN CONVENTION AND SOME SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 279, 26 April 1898, Page 4

THE WESLEYAN CONVENTION AND SOME SEEMING CONTRADICTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sik,—On reading the report in your paper re the above, there is one subject that appears to need some explanation. The writer of the paper on " The chief doctrines of Methodism " states that " the wicked wi 1 be raised to everlasting death," and further on states " the wicked will pass into eternal misery." How are the two eondi.ions to be explained ? It seems to be on about the same line as the hymn which is so popular with that denomination which says : " A never ilyinjr soul to save And fit it for the sky." While the last verse says : " Assured if I my trust betray 1 shall for ever die." Which of the two is right requires explanation. The writer also stutes " they believe in the natural immortality of the soul, as proved from the Bible and reason." It is something new to hear of soul immortality being proved from the Bible. It has been conceded by the greatest thinkers and Bible students, that the Bible is silent on that subject, as although the word soul, occurs over 530 tin.es in the Old and New Testiments, it has not in one instance the word immortal connected with it, and no less a poison than Professor Beet, one of the leaders of Meihodism in England, has just Dublished a work entitled, " Things to Come," in which he states •definitely that the immortality of the soul is not taught in the Bible, and I am surprised that any professed teacher should claim for the Platonic doctrine of soul immortality, that it is taught in the Bible, and I fail altogether to see how it can bo proved by reason. There is no doubt there is a great deal of nonsencial prejudice and bigotry existing in our midst, which needs to be removed, but there is perhaps no section of the Protestant Church to which this applies more than to the one from which the statement comes. —I am, etc., E. White.