"
* * * * *
I am very far, therefore, from jumping at new conclusions, especially on
a subject of such tremendous solemnity. But I feel that we should keep
our minds and our hearts open, realizing how little we know yet of God,
and of His illimitable dispensations. Especially should we hail with
thankfulness any gleam of light on the awful darkness that has so long
brooded over the destiny of by far the largest portion of mankind.
The eminent Dr. Funk, who is well known to be a profound thinker on such
matters, writes me as follows:
"What is called 'Eternal Fire,' or 'Eternal Punishment,' it seems to me,
may mean simply, that long continued suffering, both negative and
positive, which wilful imperfection brings. It does not seem to me that
the time can ever come when the Everlasting Father will abandon His
child that He has created. No; it is infinitely less likely that He
would do this than an earthly parent. Christ has said that the good
shepherd will leave the ninety and nine, and continue to search until he
finds the missing lamb."
In marked contrast to such an idea just ponder for a moment some of the
doctrines of the Calvinistic theology. To get a realistic idea of the
matter, think of God bringing into the world one soul whom He destined
for everlasting torment.
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