A Double Entity by D. Arnold

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 11, 1865

A Double Entity.

By D. Arnold

It is an old saying, "There are none so blind as those who will not see." How often do we see this verified in those who persistently cling to some error that has no foundation only in the creed of the church, and made popular by the great majority's believing it, while to the most casual observer who is not biased by prejudice, superstition, and bigotry, its inconsistencies are most glaringly apparent. For instance, the idea of a double entity, or two real beings after death, and but one before.

How often do we hear preachers of the orthodox stripe saying on funeral occasions, "Our brother is not dead, but is ranging the sweet fields above; his hands are handling the harp of gold, his feet are walking the golden streets, his eyes are viewing the glorious beauties of the New Jerusalem," and similar expressions. But while performing their services at the grave they tell us, "We here deposit our brother in the dust, here to sleep until the trump of the

resurrection morn shall awake him again to life and immortality."

Now how is this? Did death from one create or produce two real beings, having eyes, hands, feet, and all the other organs necessary to constitute real beings? Or did the one who, while the funeral obsequies were performing, was so happily employed in Heaven, leave that blissful place and descend to earth, and while with slow and solemn pace the procession moved toward the open grave, enter the narrow house and take up its abode in the dark and silent tomb, there to rest till the morn of the resurrection?

Now, friend "Orthodox," which of these positions will you take? To be consistent with your own preaching you are bound to take one or the other. Or will you with Solomon take the more consistent and scriptural position that "the dead know not anything?" Eccl. ix, 5, or with the Psalmist, "His breath goeth forth, . . . in that very day his thoughts perish?" Ps. cxlvi, 4, or with Paul, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off?" Heb. xi, 13, or with Christ, "For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just?" Luke xiv, 14.

D. ARNOLD.

Fulton, N. Y.