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The Debatable Land Between this World and the Next
The Debatable Land Between this World and the Next Author:Robert Dale Owen Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THIS VOLUME ON A SUBJECT INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH THE PRESENT ATTITUDE OF THE RELIGIOUS WORLD IS DEDICATED TO THE PROTESTANT CLERGY: TO WHOM, IN ... more »WAT OF PREFACE, THE FOLLOWING REMARKS ARE ADDRESSED. " To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."—Ecclesiastbs. For every man, according to his light and conviction, there exists a certain duty to society, be it humble or elevated, evinced in words or in daily acts. If, after jealous watch set on motive and strict diligence in probing the verity and weighing the worth of what one may have to say, the conviction still abides that it ought to be said, one may be unfaithful in remaining silent. With such care and under such impression I tender to you what follows. My work has this one claim, at least, on your attention, that what is therein set forth, alloyed with misconception and circumscribed by short sight though it be, has been written religiously under the dictate of candor and of conscience, as if every word were to be laid at the foot of the Almighty's throne. You will admit the grave importance of my subject-matter, since it refers, first to the present state of theology and the religious needs of the world; incidentally to the reality of plenary inspiration; again, to the character of what, in the gospels and epistles, are termed sometimes signs and wonders,sometimes spiritual gifts; and, finally and specially, to the question whether phenomena analogous to these have come to light in the present age. A just view of these subjects, vital beyond measure as they are, is unspeakably essential to the advancement of man's spiritual part. It is to you we may properly turn for this. Your office, in itself considered and looking to the eminence of its duties, is the highe...« less