INTRODUCTION.

THE principal questions discussed in the following letters, are-Is the soul immortal? Is there an intermediate state of existence? And is the immortal soul to be punished in this state? Mr. Hudson advocates the affirmative of these questions, and I deny that the Scriptures teach such opinions. It is easily perceived if the soul is not immortal, the following, among other things, unavoidably follow:

1st, Mr. Hudson's system at once falls to the ground. The question with me has been, what saith the Scriptures on the subject of the soul's immortality? That no Scripture writer calls the soul immortal, is indisputable; nor is Mr. Hudson so bold as to assert the contrary. No, he takes this for granted; calls the soul immortal, and contends that this doctrine and a future retribution had their origin in divine revelations. which are now lost. He contends for this, notwithstanding he asserts that Moses in his law did not teach even a future existence.

2d, If the soul is not immortal, the chain is broken, by which the multitude have been bound.

in slavery to kings and tyrants of the earth. It. will be seen in the tenth letter that Mr. Hudson's doctrine of the immortality of the soul and its suffering and enjoying in a disembodied state, originated among the heathen, and was used to keep the ignorant multitude in subjection to their rulers, and to fight their battles. Kings and priests tyrannised over them; and by the hope of future reward on the one hand, and terror of future punishment on the other, their influence and authority over the people were maintained. Enslave men's minds and you can easily enslave their bodies.

3d, If the soul is not immortal, and does not suffer in a disembodied state, the superstitions and impositions of the Romish church are manifest to all the world. But for these doctrines the Catholic system never would have existed. Invocation of saints, prayers for the dead, and purgatory, all depend on them for their existence. Remove them, and these, with a train of attendant evils, are forever at an end. But, bad as this system has been, it has the advantage of Mr. Hudson's system. If the Catholic church sent souls to purgatory after death, she also provided masses, prayers, alms, and other means for their salvation from it. But Mr. Hudson provides no means for the salvation of souls from his purgatory except their own "consideration and reflection." He does not pretend that the living can benefit souls in his hell, nor does it appear that a single soul reforms itself by consideration and reflection in the intermediate state.

4th, If the soul is not immortal, and does not suffer in a disembodied state, it is certain there is a radical mistake in all the missionary projects of the present day. It is not disputed, that all these projects receive their impetus from the belief that the soul is immortal, and if not saved, must go into future endless misery at death. Ask any one of those, who rest not day nor night in begging money for missions, what makes him so very zealous The answer is, "O, to save the immortal souls of the poor, perishing heathen." Who can blame them for their exertions in such a cause, if this doctrine be true? And is it not a disgrace to Universalists, who believe Mr. Hudson's system, not to exert themselves in attempting to save immortal souls? Indeed, his punishment, in duration, looks so much like endless punishment, that they ought to be fellow workers with our orthodox brethren in such a good cause. It will afford me sincere pleasure to see them remove such an inconsistency between their faith and practice, and wipe off this reproach. But if the soul is not immortal, and does not exist in a disembodied state, much money, and zeal, and labor are spent to obtain a visionary object. This no man will dispute. All I ask then, is, that my views be candidly investigated, for if true they deeply interest the community.

5th, If the soul is not immortal, and does not suffer in a disembodied state, an end is put to much misery suffered by the human race. If I am correct in my opinions, an end is put to all the terror and misery which ghosts have occa

sioned to children, and persons of riper years. But I pass this, to notice, that what occasions the most severe misery to many is, how it is to fare with their souls after death. "Oh!" say thousands, “I could endure poverty, sickness, every affliction, without a murmur, if I only was assured it would be well with my poor soul after death." This occasions more real misery to multitudes, than heart can conceive; and the numerous cases of suicide which occur, loudly proclaim the truth of my statement. I appeal then to the humanity of every feeling heart, if it is not an incumbent duty to examine into the truth of my views, which at once puts an end to all this anxiety and misery. If correct, they remove an inconceivable load of distress from the mind, and direct it to a source of hope and consolation, solid, satisfying, and purifying.

6th, But on the supposition that the soul is immortal, and exists in a disembodied state, the Gospel of Christ is made void. In it life and immortality are brought to light, and brought to light only there. The life and immortality the Gospel brings to light, is by a resurrection from the dead. But this is not true, nor is there any need for life and immortality being brought to light by the Gospel, both these having been brought to light by the natural immortality of the soul. The immortality of the soul supersedes the necessity of Christ's resurrection, or ours, through him; for, according to this doctrine, we are immortal creatures, and must live forever if Christ had never risen from the grave. The evil