Des Moines, Iowa, March 7, 1899.
Dear brother N
... Now as to the heathen question. What you ask as to the Millennial Dawn people is true. They hold that all the heathen and the great mass of Christendom will be raised up in the first Adam state and given a new chance. But this is without Scripture. Romans 1 and 2 are the chapters which deal with the question of the heathen. Chapter 1 shows their state, and lack of excuse. Romans 1:19-2019Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19‑20) shows they are condemned by the light of nature; the creation is a witness of God, and they have not heeded it. Verses 21 to 32 show their terrible state, under judicial blinding because of their wickedness. Verse 28 shows that when they knew God (as the descendants of Noah), they did not like to retain Him in their knowledge. The language of man’s natural heart is “no God.” They do not want Him. So God gave them up to a reprobate mind. The same thing will happen to Christendom at the close. Indeed it is fast approaching that state now. Compare 2 Timothy 3 with 2 Thessalonians 2. Romans 2:1212For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (Romans 2:12) shows that the heathen who die in their sins, perish. “As many as have sinned without the law shall perish without the law.” They have not the law of the Ten Commandments, but God has constituted man in such a way that he knows that it is wrong to steal, murder, etc. His conscience witnesses against such things, and the thoughts accuse or excuse. God has created man as a consciously responsible being, whether he has ever seen the law or not. And this is why they are said to be “a law unto themselves.” It is a principle of his being as a responsible creature of God.
It is true that such as have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel cannot be held responsible for that, but God never leaves man without a witness, and the heathen have it in creation.
I believe if a heathen with the light of nature, broke down and confessed himself a sinner, and cried to God, God would send him light. But the doctrine of a second probation after death is a bad one.
If I have not met the difficulty let me know....
Affectionately in the Lord,