TO THE ATHEIST (OR UNBELIEVER)


     In April of 1829, Mr. Alexander Campbell engaged in a debate

with Mr. Robert Owen, notorious infidel of that time. Before the

debate, Mr. Owen was visiting with Campbell at his home. In a walk
 
over the farm the two came to the family burying ground. Here, Mr.

Owen said: "There is one advantage I have over the Christian --- I

am not afraid to die. Most Christians have fear in death; but if

some few items of my business were settled I should be perfectly

willing to die at any moment." Mr. Campbell's answer was: "You say

you have no fear in death; have you any hope in death?" Mr. Owen

said, "No." "Then," continued Mr. Campbell, pointing to an ox

standing by the fence, "you are on a level with that brute. He has

fed until he is satisfied and stands in the shade whisking off the

flies, and has neither fear nor hope in death." Mr. Owen smiled, it

is said, but did not attempt a reply.

     This incident should give serious consideration to any who

might lean toward doubting the existence of the Eternal Father. Is

man no more than beast? Is there no greater end to man than the

grave? If there be no God, then His Word is false, and man has no

hope beyond the tomb. If this be true, we live now only to die. Can

any serious thinking individual, who has given it a second thought

allow himself to accept a position such as this? There is so much

evidence to prove the existence of an eternal mind behind this

universe. And note this: Should a man happen to err in accepting

the religion of Christ Jesus to be true, he could not be a loser by

the mistake. But, how irreparable is his loss, and how

inexpressible his danger, who should err in supposing it to be

false. The one who accepts the doctrine (teachings) of Christ has

everything to gain and nothing to lose, whereas the one who refuses

to accept it has nothing to gain and everything is to be lost. Why

take the risk?

       Jack Thompson, preacher for the White Park church of Christ

Return to "Newspaper Articles"
Home