The fact
is, that in the early centuries of the Christian era the larger view was
accepted freely. But by and by the church of Rome invented the dogma of
eternal torment for its own gain; and that is how we came by our evil
heritage. So that in this matter we have lapsed from our early faith;
and a sad, sad lapse it was, entailing untold mourning, lamentation,
and woe.
* * * * *
But it is a glorious truth that men with the utmost limitation can be
used of God for the highest ends. Elsewhere I cite the case of the
Apostle Peter in this regard. He could be used for the conversion of
three thousand men by means of one sermon; and later the conversion of
five thousand men; and yet he did not believe that the Gospel was
intended for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It is a marvel of divine
wisdom and grace that such a poor instrument could be used for such a
glorious work. And we have seen the same principle at work in our own
time. If Restoration is true, yet men who believed in endless torment,
and counted it a prime article of the orthodox faith, were,
notwithstanding, the very salt of the earth, and were used of God in
conserving and disseminating the limited truth which they knew. I say,
that is a marvel of divine grace and condescension.
* * * * *
We see the same principle also in the domain of Science.
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