May not all suffering
be ordained as a necessary safeguard of innocence to all eternity? I
mean this: We have to recognize the possibility of falling; for the
angels fell. We must remember that we are not machines, but moral
beings. Now may not sin have been permitted, and the suffering in
consequence of it, in order to furnish us with a warning against sin to
all eternity? And as we are of such diverse mental and moral calibre,
may not our suffering be individually of that kind and degree that it
will be exactly what we need as a warning against sin, and so safeguard
our innocence for ever?
It may be objected that our memory of suffering would lose its vividness
with the lapse of eternal years, and so fail of its effect. But I can
believe that we would have a vivid remembrance of it for ever, when I
think of how vividly I recall events of my early years. Scenes of my
school days I can recall more vividly than the scenes of yesterday.
So far as I know, this is a new idea of the mystery of pain. It may be
of no value; but I put it forward that those who are thoughtful along
such lines may examine it.
There are other considerations which might be adverted to here; but I
think what I have advanced is sufficient. The final argument, and the
all-comprehensive one, is, the final triumph of good over evil.
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