they are commonly called, form in fact but one death, and may be called the first death, being the penalty and wages of sin, or disobedience of the commandments of God,the tree and fruit of rebellion. The second death is in consequence of the rejection of the remedy which God has provided for the first death, which came upon us in consequence of our first transgression. Then we were cast off from the presence of God in the garden of Eden,-the spirit separated from the body, and the body cast into the grave. This constitutes the first death. The second is like unto the first. Let me explain. When Christ comes to sit upon the throne of his kingdom on the earth, and to be glorified in all them who have believed, and to give eternal life to as many as have obeyed the gospel and received the remedy which has been provided by the great God, in Jesus Christ; then, those who have refused to comply with the requirements of the gospel, and have trampled on the blood of the covenant and counted it an unholy thing, will be banished from the presence of the Lord, thrust out from the kingdom of grace, separated from the glory of his power, and have no inheritance in the New Jerusalem, the Eden of God, be separated from the new earth, and cast into hell. "This is the second death." 2 Thessalonians i. 9, 10: "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." Revelation xx. 14, 15: "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the walk thereof." Revelation xxi. 8: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." To this all must come who will not obey the gospel. There is no deliverance from this death, only by Jesus Christ, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven. has the power to restore to all who believe and obey him, what the first Adam lost. Moses says, that soul who will not hear this prophet shall be cut off from among the people. And the Savior says, the tares shall be gathered and burned. "Take the unprofitable servant and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." If man rejects this offering and sacrifice of the dear Redeemer, he will be forever lost. "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for, and fiery indignation which shall devour the He adversary.' There is no other name given under heaven amongst men, whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus. Therefore, if we reject him, and his offering, our death becomes eternal of necessity; we cannot have a hope of deliverance when and where there is no deliverance. Let us then be diligent to do the work of our Master; let us try to save all the souls in our power, by persuasion and entreaty for them, that they may come to Christ and be saved, while his arm is stretched out, and his mediatorial kingdom is not completed. Let us encourage each other to faithfulness and good works, that the world may have no occasion to say of us,-they believe not in a coming Jesus. Let us be diligent, that we may be found of Him in peace. And now, brethren, we exhort you to let your light shine; be not ashamed of this gospel, which brings life and immortality to light. When you read the history of the ancient sufferers, and servants of God, in Hebrews, 11th chapter, will you not be ashamed of that false delicacy, which prevents some of you from owning and publishing to a scoffing world, what you in your consciences do believe is true? We have great reason to be thankful to God for the courage and faithfulness of many of our brethren, who are laboring to publish the present truth of the second advent. God has raised up and sent forth, as we humbly believe, a number, from different sects, of our dear brethren, to give the "midnight cry." We might name to you many who have the confidence, and we hope the support of our friends in our several conferences; viz., brethren Litch, Himes, Ward, Jones, French, Fuller, Thompson, Sutclife, and others, who are already in the field, proclaiming "the midnight cry," "go ye out to meet him." And now, brethren, we advise you to open your pulpits, houses, hearts, and hands, that you may further them in this work of the grace of God; that when the Master comes to reward every man as his work shall be, He may say unto you, "As much as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me.' We know, if this work be of God, it will stand. And wo be to that man, who may be found fighting against God! Better for that man that a millstone be hung about his neck, and he cast into the depth of the sea, than to offend one of those little ones! Let us put forth every exertion, that the cry be made to every son and daughter of the human family, before the "great and notable day of the Lord come.' |