SUBMISSION TO THE DIVINE WILL, ETC. 359 ceases to act in its functions, being dis- teach as doctrine, binding your con- solved, to return to its native element. sciences, but as views which I have of the sacred Scriptures, referring to the sec- I conceive that the same term is ap- ond death. plicable to the spirit in like manner. One thing is taught clearly in all the Whether it be a dissolution, or whether it revelations, ancient and modern, that be an eternal preservation of that spirit there is a class on whom the second in a state of torment and misery, which I death shall pass; and the thought of do not admit, one thing is certain—that their returning to their native element is the hope of redemption and eternal life is the thought which all intelligent beings past forever from those who are the sub- shrink from. The instinct within us is jects of the second death. to cleave to life—to cleave to our organi- zation; and the greatest joy we feel is in I understand this to be a curse upon the certain hope of a resurrection from those who give themselves up altogether the dead. The idea of the second death, to work wickedness and abominations, or dissolution of the spirit, is that which who have sinned so far that they have no is the most terrifying to the soul. But longer any part in life: they have sinned our Father has so ordained that our spir- that sin which is unto death, for which itual organizations, as well as our taber- there is no redemption or forgiveness in nacles, can only be maintained and per- this world, nor in the world to come. fected through obedience to the laws of Some people entertain the idea from eternal life. the sayings in the Revelation of St. John, Blessed is the child that is corrected, that those wicked ones are to be pre- for he shall learn wisdom. Blessed is the served in a literal liquid lake of fire and man who is called to an account for his brimstone, to suffer the torments of fire sins from day to day. Blessed is the con- forever and ever, without the possibil- gregation of the Lord and all Saints who ity of being consumed or changed. I do are permitted to have the Holy Ghost not so understand the meaning and in- manifested on them, and through the tention of the sacred writers. The Sav- servants of the Lord, to call them to ac- ior says—"Fear not him that is able to count for their sins, reproving them for destroy the body only, but rather fear their transgressions, that they may be him that is able to destroy both soul and corrected. This is far better for us all, body in hell." "Hell" may be an analogous that our sins be brought to judgment in term, and applicable in different places this life, than to have them put off to a to different things; but in this passage it future day. is evident he implies the destruction of May the Lord help us to repent day the soul as well as the body. by day, and to receive the chastisements of the Almighty, that we may attain to These reflections of mine I do not everlasting life. Amen.