The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

IV. Eternal Redemption and Utter Extinction

1. “DUST” RETURN TO “DUST.”

And in Hymn 19 (XI, 27-XII, 35) the hymnodist repeats an oft-used phrase, “Behold, I was taken from dust, nipped out of clay.” But, he continues, because of pollution, “that which is molded of clay must needs return to dust at the end of its [term,] [and lie again] in the dust whence it was taken.” Then he says that the “holy [angels,] the everlasting [spirits,] the reservoirs of glory,—even they cannot tell forth all Thy glory .... How much less, then, he who returns to his dust?” ⁵⁶ That is the natural lot of a “creature of clay.” CFF1 750.4

2. “PERDITION ETERNAL” VS. “ENDURING” FOR ALL TIME

In Column XIII, 1-21, the hymnodist asserts: CFF1 750.5

“Upon all things that defy Thee Thou bringest perdition eternal. So, if mortal men keep faith with Thee, behold, Thou crownest their heads with glory everlasting.” ⁵⁷ CFF1 751.1

Then he meditates upon “the hosts of Thy spirits, the congregation of Thy Holy Beings,” and God’s creative and sustaining power, declaring, “Thou art a God everlasting,” and “[that yet the time will come] [when Thou wilt reward the righteous,] and the wicked will be utterly [doomed.].” ⁵⁸ CFF1 751.2

3. INIQUITY CANNOT EXIST IN GOD’S PRESENCE

The theme runs on throughout the remaining hymns. Column XIV, 1-27, speaks of “men of truth and sons [of light,” to be “for all generations of time and for all the [ages to come.].” ⁵⁹ He asserts that “Thou wilt bring eternal doom on all frowardness and transgression.” ⁶⁰ But the Lord forgives “them that repent their transgression, but visitest the iniquity of the wicked.” ⁶¹ CFF1 751.3

In Column XV, 9-26, the hymnodist asserts that “not by the hand of flesh can a mortal order his way.” ⁶² God “created the righteous, ... to heed Thy covenant and walk in Thy ways.” He opened “all the straitness of his soul to everlasting salvation and perpetual peace unfailing.” But the wicked are reserved “for the day of slaughter,” and “great judgments” will come upon them. ⁶³ He concludes by saying that “Thou art a God of truth and [hatest] ⁶⁴ all wrongdoing; and no iniquity shall exist in Thy presence.” ⁶⁵ CFF1 751.4

4. “MORTAL FLESH” REDEEMED FOREVERMORE

The closing Hymn (Columns XVII, 1-XVIII, 30) deals, along with other themes, with “divine forgiveness” and “Thanksgiving for divine grace.” Though “fire” that devours to the “nethermost hell” is the doom that awaits the wicked, the “redeemed” will “serve Thee in constancy,” and “their seed” shall be “ever in Thy presence.” ⁶⁶ And the hymnodist implores, “Redeem [my soul,] and let the wicked be brought to an end!” ⁶⁷ CFF1 751.5

In closing, he extols God, who has “done these things,” and he asks, “For what is mortal flesh [that Thou shouldst so exalt it] and work such wonders with it?” ⁶⁸ And he repeats the thought and phrase “mortal flesh,” and renders praise that God redeemed and transformed him, that he “may stand [before Thee] evermore unshaken in the glow of Perfect Light, till the end of time, where [no] darkness is for ever, and where all is peace unbounded until the end of time.” ⁶⁹ CFF1 752.1