DISCUSSION OF THE CONJOINT QUESTION, IS THE DOCTRINE OF ENDLESS PUNISHMENT FOR ANY PART PASTOR OF THE METHODIST CHURCH, SOUTH-BERWICK, ME. AND EBEN FRANCIS, PASTOR OF THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, DOVER, N. H. CONSISTING OF EIGHT DISCOURSES, DELIVERED IN DOVER, N. H. IN THE MONTHS OF MARCH AND APRIL, 1843. EXETER: PRINTED BY FRANCIS GRANT. 1843. The following discourses were prepared in haste, amid the multiplicity of our other duties. As the congregation, which was present on the last evening of the discussion, so unanimously requested their publication, we cheerfully accede thereto. This, we believe, will be sufficient apology for our present appearance before the public. 9-219 DISCUSSION, PART I. No. I. IN THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 1843 BY F. YATES. QUESTION: Is the doctrine of endless punishment for any part or portion of the human family taught in the Scriptures; or, is the doctrine of the final holiness and happiness of all mankind? QUESTIONS of more importance than these were never presented to the mind of man. Our race, of whatever clime, has ever looked towards the future with deep interest, and most men, whether sage or savage, have looked forward with expectations of future existence. The Bible comes to us from the hand of the Father of the Universe, dispelling the doubts, and confirming the faith of those who receive it, by pointing them to a state of being beyond the confines of the present world. To this holy Book we must turn, not only to learn the fact of our future existence, but also the character of that existence. The great body of those who regard the Bible as a revelation from God have believed that it teaches that man is a moral agent, governed by a moral law, the proper penalty of which is endless punishment. But some few, in these latter days, have risen up, and called in question the doctrine of endless punishment. They tell us that the world has been deceived altogether in reference to this subject. The Bible does not teach-what the most pious and |