The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

V. Grant-Conditionalist Debator, Editor, and Evangelist

In early life MILES GRANT (1819- I 911) was a skeptic and infidel, characteristic of the times. First he taught in a public school, then in an academy, and later in a seminary. In 1842 he was tremendously impressed by a Methodist minister’s exposition of Bible prophecy, and became convinced that the Bible is truly the Word of God. He continued teaching until 1850 when he entered the ministry. He was first pastor of a Boston church, and from 1856-1860 served as editor of the World’s Crisis and Second Advent Messenger. CFF2 655.3

He became an ardent believer in Conditional Immortality, the unconscious sleep of the dead and the complete destruction of the wicked. That was the heyday of the debate, and Grant accepted many a challenge to debate on Conditionalism and Spiritualism-about one hundred discussions in all. He won the decision on most of them. Some of his opponents were distinguished disputants, one being the scholarly Dr. Josiah Litch. In 1858 he debated for four nights in Boston Music Hall. Grant was a real polemicist. (Pictured on page 650.) CFF2 656.1

Grant again became editor of the World’s Crisis from 1861 to 1876. From then on he engaged in evangelism. Pursuant to this, he traveled from five thousand to fifteen thousand miles a year by stagecoach, packet, steamer, and train-even by lumber cart and afoot-and was fond of it. He traveled not only throughout the United States and Canada but in Great Britain and on the Continent, visiting England annually from 1884 onward. It was on these trips that he made contact with British Conditionalists, and visited Conditional Immortality Association conferences. Grant held that the twin truths of the premillennial Advent and Conditional Immortality constitute the very core of the gospel. His major work was his unusual Positive Theology (1895), though he published various pamphlets on Conditionalism- What Is Man? The Soul, What Is It? The Spirit, What Is It? et cetera. He was a vigorous proponent. CFF2 656.2

REMARKABLE ASSEMBLAGE OF DOCUMENTED KEY STATEMENTS

Grant devotes twelve long chapters in Positive Theology (four to fifteen) to a comprehensive coverage of Conditional Immortality-life, death, Hell, hades, gehenna, tartarus, the wages of sin, the thief on the cross, Rich Man and Lazarus, and thirteen other problem passages and major objections. He quotes from nearly two hundred Conditionalist authoritiesattesting his wide investigation. While sections of each chapter comprise his own presentation, logically and lucidly presented, his work is to no small extent an assemblage and coordination of the key statements of the ablest scholars-the pith of their contributions-grouped under a series of categories covering the field, giving the sources with documented footnotes, and all in condensed form. CFF2 656.3

His compilation represents an exhaustive search for sources and authorities that cannot be gainsaid, and shows an exceptional organizational and condensational ability. These are brought together in sequence, with definitions from the best lexicographers, extracts from experts, and proper references. Altogether it is an impressive reference work. CFF2 657.1