I believe this is the standpoint to
which the churches will have to come.
In corroboration of the idea that even Christian people do not believe
in eternal torment, I would say that lately I met a lady, and I inquired
the latest news of her friend who had slipped and broken his leg. She
said that she had just come from the hospital, and that he was dying.
She added that it would be a relief when he was gone, for he would then
be out of pain.
Now this lady is a member of a church that professes to believe in
eternal torment, but she had no idea of her friend going into
everlasting suffering when he died. He made no profession of religion;
but that circumstance seemed to give her no concern. Is not such the
general feeling? And thus it is that many practically repudiate their
own creed. They hang on in theory to the doctrine of endless suffering,
because it is in the creed of the church; but practically they deny it.
Would it not be far better to believe steadfastly in a state of
discipline and purification? Would not that be a much better incentive
to prepare for the end of life, than the half heathenish idea that there
is nothing whatever to fear? As a gentleman said to me lately, when
speaking of the Roman Catholic fear of Purgatory, "The Methodists and
Presbyterians would need some kind of purgatory too.
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