And here I would notice the great loss we sustain in having no emphatic
note of warning. It used to be the custom of warning men of hell fire;
but now there is no warning, except the very general and vague warning
of wrath to come, which has really little meaning. We do not say in what
it consists; therefore the vague statement has but slight significance.
To this may be attributed much of the comfort and carelessness of
sinners. Many there are, even of regular church goers, who hear nothing
on these matters but what they hear from the pulpit; and from that they
hear practically nothing. How much better it would be if they could be
warned very definitely of coming suffering, if they are not now
delivered from their sins. So long as there is sin there will be
suffering. I am convinced that the nerve of the preacher's message is
often cut by this want of a definite note of warning.
* * * * *
Let it be clearly noted that punishment is a large factor in the theory
of Restoration. Let no one suppose that the transition from sin to
holiness is an easy matter under any circumstances. There are multitudes
of men that go out of life so utterly wicked that they must suffer
terribly, and perhaps suffer long, before they are reformed. At least we
may suppose such to be the rule. There may be exceptions, like that of
Saul, to which we shall refer later. Sin unforgiven will pursue a man
into the next life, and exact a fearful penalty. The prodigal must eat
of the husks before he comes back to the Father.