But it
will be a lower glory, preparatory for a higher, to be attained later
on. Others, with different degrees of evil still clinging to them, will
have to undergo pains and penalties suitable to their condition, and so
by gradual ascent attain to perfection and blessedness. Thus, it is
reasonable to think that there will be as great a variety of character
and capacity then as now; and this will largely determine the great
variety of place, service, and so on.
But supposing that future punishment did issue in moral improvement, and
that such improvement should go on increasing, is it thinkable that
under an infinitely gracious and wise government there would come no
time of such perfection as would warrant release? But in that case the
suffering would not be endless. Whichever way you take it, that seems to
be the inevitable, final issue.
So it seems to me that the only wise, and beneficent, and just idea of
future suffering, whether it be intense or mild, or whether it be of
shorter or longer duration, is, that it will be the means of working out
a divinely intended degree of moral perfection; and that it will then
come to an end. This course of procedure we observe here and now. It may
operate on a larger scale, and with more final results, in the life to
come; but we apprehend that the principle will be much the same.
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