Some years ago I gave a series of
Sabbath evening talks on Ingersoll and his opinions; and there was a
large attendance of the class of men that I wished to reach. I cannot
but think that the travesty of divine truth that has so long prevailed
in the guise of orthodoxy, is responsible to a large extent for the
practical infidelity that exists in the Christian world to-day.
* * * * *
It is all very well for men to speak of the final reign of grace; and
some are very eloquent along that line, never turning their eyes
backward on the uncounted millions of the past who lived and died in
heathenism. What has become of them? That is the question; and it calls
for an answer that as Milton says, will "justify the ways of God
to men."
* * * * *
There are a number of propositions which I would try here to state with
all clearness. We have casually glanced at some of them; but I think it
will conduce to clearness if we present them statedly and group
them together.
First: "God infallibly accomplishes everything at which he aims."
These are the words of an orthodox divine. I think they will commend
themselves to our judgment at once. But the divine in question never
thought his dictum would be given such a wide application.
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