THE TEMPERATURE OF HEAVEN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4897, 5 October 1901, Page 4

THE TEMPERATURE OF HEAVEN.

We talk of the A mericans gene- j rally as a practical nation, but after all we hardjy realise to what lengths: their intense worship of the practical will carry ihem. A ser/non delivered by an Obio Baptist pastor, tho Rev, Gr. Viney, in which tbe temperature of Heaven was declated to be 826 degrees, has been attracting widespread attention throughout the States ; and although it appears absurd and unconvincing ta the average Briton, it is interesting as an example of the logic and religion by which converts are gained in A tperica. Mr Viney's text was Isaiah xxx, 28 — • Moreover tbe light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in tbe day that tbe Lord bindeth up the breach of bis people, and healeth the stroke of tbeir wound.' The Scripture, Mr Viney argued, can only refer to the fioal consummation j of thiogß. * Tbe light of tbe moon shall be as tbe light of the bus 'means that there will be no night in heaven. Then the light of the sun shall be j sevenfold, as tbe light of seven days. Tbe thermometer, proceeded this exponent of tbe new logic, has been known to t\sb to 118 degrees in thesun, bat in order to afford an apt illustration setting forth the true condition of both the light and tbe beat of Heaven a day is required that will be just seven times hotter and brighter tban the most unendurable summer days. Seven times 118 are 823. Sucb a day, tb© li^bfc and beat of wbich could be endured not for a moment by mortal man, ' is a faithful description of the climate, of Heaven.' No mortal could endure that climate, but happy beings who live in Heaven are themselves made flames of fire according to tbe scripture, and saints going up from earth like Elijah must not only pass through refining fire, but must be transformed into- the nature of fire in order to endure the conditions existing in Heaven Mr Viney made a concession to orthodoxy by remarking incidentally (bftt tbe light and heat were due to no

bud, but to the glory of Qod, but be did not weaken his argunlent by insisting on the spiritual nature of the heat. ;