On the contrary, I venture to think it would be as
effectual, and perhaps more so, than the warning of eternal torment. For
this warning has always to be general. We have no definite conception of
what constitutes the torment; hence men do not really believe it.
Especially when it is represented as of eternal duration, the idea is
entirely beyond men's imagination; and so the effect is far from
proportionate to the warning.
But we can imagine something of the suffering of discipline. That comes
within the scope of our imagination; yea, and of our experience, too.
And when it is represented as ceasing when the desired result is
secured, it commends itself to our highest ideas of benevolence, wisdom,
and justice; and but for the baleful influence of tradition, would
become at once credible.
If you want an example of the same principle on a smaller scale, take
the case of Nebuchadnezzar to whom we referred. Was his a light
punishment? Anything more dreadful it would be hard to conceive. But it
was discipline; and the discipline was removed when it had accomplished
its purpose. And don't you think it had a most salutary effect on the
man all his days? I imagine that the same principle applies to the next
life. What the discipline may be, we know not; yet we can conceive that
in certain cases it may be terrible suffering.
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