REV. H. J. LEWIS ON THE SECOND DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 161, 9 July 1888, Page 5

REV. H. J. LEWIS ON THE SECOND DEATH.

!In introducing his subject the rev. gentleman said that probably on no subject had a greater change taken place in Christian preaching and thought during the last half century than that of hell. Thirty years a.go it was the background of almost every evangelical sermon—now it is almost discarded. "" In this change thoro was danger —danger that in rejecting the superstitious and sacerdotal shell, we might reject along with it, the revelation of divine truth which it contained. Hell he understood to mean a punishment for impenitent sin, awaiting sinners in the world to come. He did nob wish Ins hearers to believe in hell on his authority, bub on the authority of their own consciences, after giving the subject serious and earnest thought. If they wished for the truth, th§y should take up throe linos of thought, and follow each out rationally, consistently, and fearlessly, wherever they lead. First: Reason. Ask this great question—Does death end all ? Is it likely that the mere shock of death can annihilate memory, conscience, character and soul ? If not, then comes the question — Can this life help determining what the life will be beyond the grave '! Can the memory of sins committed in this life possibly give pleasure and peace in the world to come—can possibiy give anything bub pain, misery and remorse ? 2nd : Conscience. Look around and see people living lives and setting all laws of justice and humanity at defiance. Take an instance of a scoundrel who takes advantage of an innocent, trusting and unsuspecting girl— poisoninghermind, corrupting her character and bringing ruin upon her. She bears all the shame and misery in this world, while he is allowed to go scot free. Can any healthy conscience believe thab God has done with such a man —that Ho will let such man otF without a smart ? If he believed there was no.hell for the seducer, the sensualist, and the drunkard, there must be a hell for every sin, unless it be repented of. After treating on the revelation which the word of God gives as to the reality of punishmenb after death, the preacher went on to say that whatever hell might be, he believed it to be the sufferings and pains of a guilty conscience. If a man has a long list of wrongs done in this life, acts of unkindness, malice, of lies and deceits—if evil thoughts and darker deeds, with all their consequences placed before him, won't this be hell enough ? He thought it would. Hell is passion without pleasure, lust without gratification, desire without fulfilment. The burning feverish pain which men sutler here for wrong-doing is a foretaste of hell. The rev. gentleman spoke at some length on the avenues which lead to heli, making special reference to the habit of living for pleasure, of avarice, unreality, selfishness, and ingratitude to God. He closed a most eloqueub and thoughtful discourse by directing his hearers to fly where alone they were safe from hell, namely, bo Christ. Give Him the highest place in the hearts, and this will keep down all temptation and drive all evil out. He would give them strength to overcome, and over Him who overcometb, the second death had no power.