The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Periodicals Reflect Conflict and Advance

I. Bible Echo—Panoramic Portrayal of Conditionalist Advances

The Bible Echo, a “Weekly Religious Newspaper,” edited by WILLIAM KELLAWAY, of London, was launched in 1874, several years before the organization of the Conditional Immortality Association. Militantly Conditionalist, it placed in the very first issue, in its editorial masthead, its stated purpose, and repeated it in each issue:
“To restore to prominence the many truths of the Bible which have long been set aside by superstition and tradition, and which, therefore, are almost forgotten by the Church of God. Reference is made more especially to the truths of the thorough mortality of man; and the Gospel of Immortality and the Kingdom of God to be received and inherited by Christ only. It will also teach the Apostolic truth of the everlasting punishment of the ungodly in their excision from life, under which ban they will remain for eternity.” ¹ CFF2 427.1

It sought faithfully to “echo” the message of the “Book of God.” CFF2 427.2

1. BIBLE YIELDS NO SUPPORT FOR “INNATISM.”

In the initial issue the leading editorial was titled “Is Man Eternal by Nature? The Bible Silent on the Inherent Eternity of Man.” Challenging at the outset the contention that man is “inherently eternal,” and “imperishable” and “indestructible,” Kellaway says incisively:
“The first fact we notice is that the Bible does not call man immortal. CFF2 427.3

“We assert that the Bible is wholly silent on the innate and inherent eternity of man. Nowhere does it teach the doctrine of human immortality as a present fact. It does not frame a single argument for it. It does not take it for granted, in any reasoning. It does not urge it as a motive for repentance or reformation. It does not darkly hint it. No; nor does it even incidentally, accidentally, casually refer to it. From Genesis to Revelation, there is not a single verse which speaks of man as immortal. No prophet, king, apostle, nor the Christ, speaks such a word. Neither directly nor indirectly, expressly nor inferentially, by parable or symbol, nor in any style of language or mode of conveying ideas, do the inspired writers let slip such a thought.” ² CFF2 428.1

Seeking out and bringing “together every passage on ‘man,’ ‘soul,’ ‘spirit,’ ‘mind,’” et cetera, the editor lists a hundred texts on “man,” in sequence. Then he comments pointedly:
“It will be observed that God does not once call man immortal; but on the contrary, man is spoken of as ‘mortal,’ ‘corruptible,’ and even ‘dead.’ So that the affirmative side of the Scripture is for human mortality and against the human fancy of deathlessness.” ³ CFF2 428.2

The same issue carries a strong article by Canon Henry Constable, ⁴ and another by W. Dashper on “Punishment Eternal, but Not Eternal Torture.” ⁵ Dr. Petavel is likewise a participant in this initial number. ⁶ It has scholarly contributors. CFF2 428.3

2. ABUNDANT TESTIMONY MERITS A “VERDICT.”

In the issue for May 8, along with three articles by contributors on “Hades,” as the grave or resting place of the dead, “The Rich Man and Lazarus,” and “Jesus the Resurrection and the Life,” ⁷ Editor Kellaway continues with all pertinent texts on “soul,” “spirit,” and “mind,” and concludes:
“We think, after adducing the testimony we have, we are entitled to ask for this verdict, That God does not teach that man, the spirit, the soul, or the mind, is either of them an intelligent immortal being.” ⁸ CFF2 428.4

He quotes from a letter sent to Edward White from a missionary in India. Then he notes the accession of prominent Baptist Arthur Mursell, of Stockwell Chapel, London, to the ranks of the Conditionalists. ⁹ There is a letter from a Congregationalist minister who had known Dr. Thomas Binney for a quarter of a century, stating that Binney, in his last sermon at Weighhouse, took his stand publicly with Dale, Bevan, Braden, Raleigh, White, Hall, Mursell, and others, as “a believer in the ultimate destruction of the wicked, after punishment according to their works, but not in their eternal or never-ending torment.” They are “to be destroyed.” ¹⁰ CFF2 429.1

3. ADDRESS CHALLENGED, AND CONDITIONALIST ACCESSION

The May 15 number reports a lecture at Chelsea Vestry Hall by Baptist minister Barker, presenting the usual “inherent immortality of all men” postulate. At the conclusion of the lecture, in the designated “discussion” period, James Waylen issued a direct challenge to meet Barker “at any time or place, and fairly fight the battle out on Biblical grounds.” ¹¹ Conditionalism was not at all pacifist. CFF2 429.2

An editorial on “The Pharisees and Immortality” and an article by Miles Grant, of America, on “Spiritualism the Work of Demons” ¹² are followed by an extended statement by Canon Constable on “Thomas Binney and Life in Christ.” ¹³ Back in 1869 Constable had sent Binney a copy of his Duration and Nature of Future Punishment. This was acknowledged by Binney, together with the statement that he was simultaneously reading the books of several other Conditionalists—and then and there declared his own acceptance of Conditionalism. ¹⁴ CFF2 429.3

4. DALE DECLARATION RECEIVED WITH “PLAUDITS.”

The rejection of the Eternal Torment dogma, declared by Birmingham’s Dr. R. W. Dale at a Congregationalist ministerial gathering, is reported in “Note on Passing Events,” of May 22:
“At the Cannon Street Hotel, on Friday evening last, a Conversazione took place, Samuel Money, Esq., M.P., in the chair, when the noted R. W. Dale, of Birmingham, distinctly, and at some length, avowed his rejection of the dogma of never-ending torture, and his belief in the Scriptural and reasonable doctrine of the destruction of the wicked. The spread of this important truth among the Congregationalists and others is remarkable. To show the feeling of the community, we are glad to be able to state that, instead of this profession being received with hisses by the auditory, the address was honoured with plaudits from all parts of the room. Surely truth wins.” ¹⁵ CFF2 429.4

Likewise on May 22, in an editorial on “Death Compared to a Sleep,” each of the four divisions developed is buttressed by a battery of texts. Here are the four:
“I. Dying Is Represented as Falling Asleep.” (Texts follow, with key words emphasized.)
“II. The State of Death Analogous to Sleep.”
“III. While the Dead Sleep, It Is Night to Them.”
“IV. The Resurrection the Waking and Standing up of Those Asleep.” ¹⁶ CFF2 430.1

5. SWISS MINISTER QUESTIONED BUT APPROVED

In the May 29 issue, under the section “Spread of the Truth,” a report appears—“Progress of Truth in Switzerland.” It quotes a letter from a Protestant pastor examined at great length by a church “commission of inscription” CFF2 430.2

“chiefly upon eternal punishment. I fully explained my opinions:—negation of the necessary immortality of the soul, but separation of the righteous and the wicked in the future state; the meaning of the word aionios; destruction of the soul or second death for the impenitent; life in Christ only.” ¹⁷ CFF2 430.3

He was heard with “great attention,” thanks to the circulation of Dr. Petavel’s book La Fin du Mal (“The Non-eternity of Evil”), a summary of which had been given in a theological society meeting by a Conditionalist. This Protestant pastor, under questioning, was nevertheless “admitted unanimously and welcomed most kindly,” and inscribed in the “register of pastors and ministers.” Then, seeking appointment as pastor to a particular congregation, he was again questioned rigorously, and gave “anew an exposition of my opinions upon a future state.” After some dissenting voices he was “unanimously appointed.” ¹⁸ CFF2 430.4

Five other items—an editorial on the groundlessness of the argument in behalf of natural immortality; Constable on “Mr. Spurgeon on the Intermediate State”; a Bible study on “Where Do the Dead Sleep” answered by “IN THE DUST” (with supporting texts), “IN THE EARTH,” and “IN THE GRAVE”; further comment on R. W. Dale’s recent speech at the Congregational Soiree, in the Cannon Street Hotel, against the notion of eternal conscious suffering; and finally, an announcement that Samuel Minton, of Eaton Chapel, would deliver a lecture at Chelsea Vestry Hall on “Immortality in Christ Alone,” to an assembly of ministers.” ¹⁹ CFF2 431.1

6. DR. DALE’S DECLARATION OF FAITH

These excerpts from Dale’s speech will prove illuminating:
“‘Again and again He Jesus] spoke of the doom of the impenitent ...; and by Him that doom was uniformly represented as involving a condemnation that will never be reversed, ... a ruin for which there is no remedy. The chaff is to be burned up, the dead and corrupting soul is to be utterly consumed and destroyed.’ CFF2 431.2

“‘We have reached the conclusion that eternal life is the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ; that this life is not given to those who reject the gospel, but given in the new birth to those who believe, and who are thereby made partakers of the Divine nature .... CFF2 431.3

“‘In the world to come they the impenitent] will not ... hear from the lips of Christ the words, “Come, ye blessed of My Father;” but that He will say to them, “Depart from Me, ye cursed;” words extinguishing all hope ...; that their punishment will not regenerate, but destroy them; that in the fires to which they are destined they will not be purified, but consumed, and that from the second death there is no resurrection.’ ²⁰ CFF2 431.4

Then he adds:
“‘I wish, with the greatest possible emphasis, to state that in my own experience the reception of this doctrine has not only not enfeebled my belief in the great doctrines of the evangelical faith .... but has given all those doctrines Incarnation, atonement, regeneration a firmer hold on my intellect, my conscience, and my heart.” ²¹ CFF2 431.5

7. DALE DECLARATION ATTACKED BY “CHRISTIAN WORLD.”

In the June 5 issue A. W. Warner discusses the technical Hebrew and Greek terms for “Hell,” and illustrates their meanings and occurrences.” ²² And on June 12 note is taken of a new Christian World attack on Dr. Dale’s address before the Congregationalist clergy gathering, and his declaration on Conditionalism. ²³ Mention is made of another Baptist minister—R. Stevenson, of Broad Street Chapel, Nottingham—declaring against Innate Immortality and Eternal Torment. ²⁵ Then a sevenfold answer (with texts) is given to a sevenfold question, “When Do Saints Receive Eternal Life?” the seven being: (1) At the resurrection; (2) at the last trump; (3) at the end of the Christian course; (4) in the day of rewards and punishments; (5) at the harvest of the world; (6) in the world to come; and (7) in the time of re-genesis. And American Conditionalist C. F. Hudson is cited relative to everlasting contempt—“the eternal contempt of their companions.” CFF2 432.1

8. “CHRISTIAN WORLD” ATTACK CHALLENGED BY “ECHO.”

A second attack on Dr. Dale, this time in the Christian World of May 29, is then noted. ²⁷ And a simultaneous attack on Congregationalist Dale by the Christian Standard admits: “‘The doctrine of the ultimate annihilation of the ungodly is making astonishing progress, at least among Nonconformists.’” ²⁸ CFF2 432.2

But the Standard is excoriated by the Echo because of its misrepresentations. Editor Kellaway says:
“Believers of the truth of [Conditional] immortality in the British Isles are to be counted by thousands, and, we believe, tens of thousands. They are in nearly every town and village, and in some places have increased to companies; indeed, the churches are few which have not some private or avowed holders of the doctrine; and in America we think they would not fall far short of a hundred thousand. Besides this, there are many in Australia, Cape Colony, and India; and in Switzerland there is a very large return to primitive faith.” ²⁹ CFF2 432.3

Defending Conditionalism, Kellaway adds:
“We do believe in the aionian punishment, and will not let his falsehood pass without branding it as false. We are sorry we have to write so strongly of any author and his productions; but Mr. [editor] Grant is a very great offender, and the truth must be spoken.” ³⁰ CFF2 433.1

In fact Kellaway challenges Grant, editor of the Standard, to debate the whole question of “torment or death” in the Bible Echo and the Christian Standard. ³¹ The battle was intense. Stirrings in Scotland also are reported over Eternal Punishment. ³² CFF2 433.2

9. GREAT CONDITIONALIST MEETING IN CHELSEA

A Supplement to the issue of June 12 is devoted to the “Great Meeting in Chelsea Vestry Hall, on Immortality Only in Christ,” ³³ with some five hundred assembled to hear the Reverend Samuel Minton, of Eaton Chapel. The gathering included numerous prominent clergymen—Constable, Boardman, Hitchens, Rotherham, May, Waylen, Mursell, Farre, Hartley—with Edward White as chairman. Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, unable to be present, sent this message:
“‘I am more and more persuaded that the argument which you intend to uphold is, so far as I can understand it, thoroughly sound and conclusive; and therefore I trust your work to-night will be thoroughly successful.’” ³⁴ CFF2 433.3

Minton is declared to have given a masterful address. Two quotations must suffice:
“Scripture not only withholds any support to natural immortality, but that in every page, in every variety of language, and by every form of imagery, it distinctly, positively, and dogmatically denies it, and says the opposite. From beginning to end it labours to impress upon us that we are not immortal, and shall not live for ever unless we are partakers of the life of Christ; and if we will have eternal life we must accept it as the gift of grace through the Only-begotten of the Father; that if we long for immortality we must seek for it.” ³⁵ CFF2 433.4

“God is able to destroy man. Destroy is stronger than kill. You may kill a living creature without destroying it; but you cannot destroy without killing it. God can destroy the sinner. He can separate and dissipate his component particles and the elements of his entire being; and this is His threat to the wicked. He can separate part from part as no man can. Some say we believe in annihilation. We do not. Annihilation, as scientifically understood, means reducing something to nothing. This we do not believe. But we do believe in the destruction of the ungodly.” ³⁶ CFF2 433.5

Then the Reverend Arthur Mursell, recent Baptist convert to Conditionalism, proposing a vote of thanks, said:
“I believe ours is the view that will ultimately obtain throughout Christendom. I am certain it is winning its way in all Churches; and I hope I may not be accused of a want of charity in saying that there is only lacking more boldness for many to confess themselves believers of immortality only in Christ. Speaking of my own case, I had convictions on the question for years, but could not until lately command the courage to speak out. The truth we hold is so rational and scriptural that I cannot see any reason why it is not the popular view .... CFF2 434.1

“I feel that those who teach the natural immortality of the soul, only give Jesus half a crown, and it is my desire to crown Him Lord of all.” ³⁷ CFF2 434.2

10. WHITE ON CONDITIONALIST TWENTY-THREE-YEAR SPREAD

In the same June 12 Supplement extended notice is taken of Dr. Edward White’s “Doctrines and Principles”—an address on the twenty-third anniversary of the dedication of his St. Paul’s Chapel. At the outset he cites Whately’s well-known statement:
“Never once, from Genesis to Revelation, is man addressed by prophets or apostles as an immortal being possessed of a never-dying soul, or in any equivalent language.” ³⁸ CFF2 434.3

White then says that “life, however it was clothed upon ..., never lost ... its primary meaning of conscious existence, and that the threat of destruction never lost its primary meaning of extinction of that existence.” ³⁹ And at the close he reports, “Since those days twenty-three years ago these views of divine truth have spread wonderfully, both at home and abroad.” ⁴⁰ Specifically, he says they have CFF2 434.4

“won the assent of men whose scholarship and piety no one questions. Dr. Weymouth, Head Master of Mill Hill School, Dr. Mortimer, late Head Master of the City School, Archbishop Whately, Bishop Hampden, Professor Stokes of Cambridge, Mr. Sheppard of Frome, the late John Foster, author of ‘Essays on Decision of Character,’ Mr. Dale, Mr. Warleigh, Rector of Ashchurch, Mr. Davis, Vicar of Roundhay; Professor Hudson of Boston, President Trafford, Mr. Wm. Maude, Dr. Parker, Mr. Minton, and many others less known but equally weighty thinkers and critics have made no secret of their assent.” ⁴¹ CFF2 434.5

Conditionalism attracted and won some of the finest minds in Britain. CFF2 435.1

11. PROTESTS, ACCESSIONS, REPUDIATION, ADVANCE

On June 19 a letter from Bible translator Joseph B. Rotherham, written to the Christian World, is reprinted. It protests the Eternal Torment position, and states that “the Destructionist view is able to assert itself with invincible cogency.” ⁴² Because of Bible declarations, Rotherham says he is CFF2 435.2

“‘constrained to disbelieve the theological dogma of man’s natural and unconditional immortality. It is enough for me that the Bible does not teach it. Had it been true, I must have found it there. CFF2 435.3

“‘As a consequence, I am free to accept the everlasting punishment of the incorrigible as their everlasting destruction.’” ⁴³ CFF2 435.4

The editor comments on recent ministerial accessions—some courageously stepping out, and many being snubbed by associates and reactionary organizations. ⁴⁴ Dr. William Leask also has a lengthy article, “The Scripture Doctrine of a Future Life.” ⁴⁵ He logically contends, “A mortal creature cannot give birth to an immortal.” And in the midst of his article Leask says: “The dogma of eternal torments, which has sprung out of the dogma of natural immortality, must be rejected along with the huge delusion which gave it birth.” ⁴⁶ CFF2 435.5

12. NUMEROUS TOKENS OF PROGRESS

In the July 3 Issue Miles Grant again writes on “Spiritualism the Work of Demons,” and “G.A.H.” on “Tormented but Killed at Last.” ⁴⁷ Kellaway, the editor, notes several new ministerial accessions to the ranks of Conditionalism. ⁴⁸ And in an editorial on “How Believers Have Eternal Life Now,” he says the Christian has it “in promise,” “in faith, which credits the promise,” “consequently in hope,” and “in pledge.” Each is supported with texts. He summarizes by stating:
“God has given to the Christ for us eternal life. It is to day in his power and keeping. It is in transit to us. We are promised we shall have it in possession. We believe Cod and lay hold of it. We hope and with patience wait for it. And for our assurance that we shall have it, we have an earnest of it by way of a change into the divine moral image. But eternal life will be actually bestowed at the resurrection, when this mortal shall put on immortality.” ⁴⁹ CFF2 435.6

There is also a letter from John Leslie, of Canada, on Dr. Thomas Binney’s position, declared before a group of sixty, that the wicked “would be destroyed, or perish forever.” It also cites Dr. Fraser, of the Free Presbyterian Church of London, and Dr. Eadie, of Glasgow—all maintaining the Conditionalist position. ⁵⁰ CFF2 436.1

13. £100—OFFER FOR MISSING TEXT

The July 10 Issue notes _J. N. Darby’s early Conditionalist positions, ⁵¹ later abandoned, and July 24 records Congregationalist Robert Ashcroft, avowing “leis belief in the non-immortality of the soul.” ⁵² Then there is the account of a £100-offer in Liverpool, broadcast through circulars and local papers, for “a single passage of Scripture proving the natural and inherent immortality of the soul.” ⁵⁴ And finally there is an item, “Above a Hundred Wesleyan Methodists Believing in Life in Christ,” with a resultant “great stir” in one of the “northern circuits.” The August 21 issue tells of School Chaplain C. A. Greaves’ letter to the Rock, on “No Immortality out of Christ.” CFF2 436.2

14. MULTIPLE PROVISIONS OF “LIFE” ENSHRINED IN CHRIST

The September 18 issue begins a continuing series of articles by Dr. Emmanuel Petavel, translated from his current French book La Fin du Mal. ⁵⁶ And in the September 25 issue a new Baptist ministerial accession to Life Only in Christ is noted from the Christian World. ⁵⁷ On October 9 editor Kellaway, defending their “Contention With Popular Belief,” quotes from a little tract Immortality only in Christ, on Christ our life:
“‘He is spoken of as—our Life—the Life—the Word of Life—the Prince of Life—the Lord of Life—the Giver of Life—the Bread of Life—the Water of Life—the Way of Life—the Resurrection and the Life. He gives the Promise of Life—Justification of Life—Newness of Life—the Spirit of Life—the Grace of Life—the Light of Life—the Crown of Life—right to eat of the Tree of Life, and to drink of the River of the Water of Life—and writes our names in the Book of Life. All Scripture testifies to the doctrine, that immortal Life is the gift of God, through the Christ.’” ⁵⁸ CFF2 436.3

This is followed by a thirteen-point declaration against evil being eternal. ⁵⁹ In the “Discussion Department,” “Alpha” and “Beta” discuss the nature and destiny of man. ⁶⁰ And four separate Conditionalists answer the “Eternal Fire” contention. ⁶² Then on October 16 and 23, under “Brethrenism and Excommunication,” the moving story of the expulsion of E. W. P. Taunton is told—expelled because he refused to give up “his view of eternal punishment”—together with the withdrawal of George W. Barber, who gives a masterful answer to the strictures against him. There is also the recital in the October 23 Echo of the laying of the cornerstone of the Progressive Christian church (of Atherton), by Captain Henry J. Ward on October 17. The entire congregation held to Life Only in Christ. They were impelled to separate in order to have freedom of conscience to believe life is derived from Christ and to disbelieve in Eternal Torment. CFF2 437.1

15. SUMMARIZING STATEMENT ON CONDITIONALISM

We close this survey of this first volume of the Echo by noting a sevenfold answer by Robert Pegrum, in the issue of November 20, to the question “Is Man Immortal?” His seven points in the negative (each buttressed by numerous scriptures), with the Greek and Hebrew terms involved, follow: CFF2 437.2

“I. THE BIBLE STATES THAT GOD ALONE IS IMMORTAL, THEREFORE, MAN CANNOT BE IMMORTAL” Scriptures in original) CFF2 438.1

“II. THE BIBLE TREATS MAID’, N01 AS IMMORTAL, BUT AS A CANDIDATE FOR IMMORTALITY” CFF2 438.2

“III. THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT DESTRUCTION WILL BE THE DOOM OF THE UNGODLY.” CFF2 438.3

“IV. THE BIBLE ASCRIBES THE SOUL (Heb, Nephesh, Gr, Psyche) TO THE LOWER ANIMALS, AS WELL AS TO MAN THEREFORE, THE SOUL CANNOT BE IMMORTAL.” CFF2 438.4

“V. THE BIBLE. FREQUENTLY AND PLAINLY AFFIRMS THE MORTALITY OF THE. SOUL “ CFF2 438.5

“VI. THE. BIBLE APPLIES THE EXPRESSION ‘LIVING SOUL’ (Heb, Nephesh Chajah TO THE LOWER ANIMALS AS WELL AS TO MAN.” CFF2 438.6

“VII. THE BIBLE ALSO ASSERTS THAT SPIRIT (Heb, Ruach, Gr., Pneuma) IS POSSESSED IN COMMON BY MAN AND BEAST THEREFORE, THE POSSESSION OF SPIRIT DOES NOT PROVE THAT MAN IS IMMORTAL.” ⁶⁴ CFF2 438.7

Man is not, therefore, inherently, innately, indefeasibly, immortal. That is a gift through Christ, received at the resurrection, and only by the righteous. CFF2 438.8