In the light of this fact sin appears but an episode in eternal
providence; and we can conceive that it is permitted for a time, for the
realization of a greater good. It is but an expansion of the
acknowledged principle that God brings good out of evil. Sin is not the
normal condition of the universe. It is abnormal, and in time will give
way to normal conditions. We are accustomed to believe in this principle
on a small scale; but if we accustom ourselves to regard the same
principle or a large scale it will not be difficult to believe that sin
will ultimately be done away. In the history of eternity, we can imagine
it to be but a transient circumstance, like a fleck of cloud in a summer
sky; and even that fleck will disappear.
* * * * *
Just now, since writing these lines, I have had a very singular
experience. A gentleman had written me a year ago in warm appreciation
of my books. But I did not meet with him until a few days ago. In our
conversation he told me that on reading a certain passage--he quoted the
passage--be was so overpowered that he fell backward in a kind of swoon
or trance. Then he was struck by something like a spark of fire. His
impulse was to cry out, but he restrained himself, and had such a vision
of the love of God that he wept, and wept, and wept, in an ecstasy of
joy. Indeed he was overcome when he told me the story. And this man is
no weakling, by any means. He is a strong man, physically,
intellectually, and spiritually. When I realized that I could be used to
produce an effect like that, I was filled with wonder, and love,
and praise.
Now I hesitated about giving this experience, for to some it may look
like egotism. But it may be taken on a higher ground. I would like to
ask: Is it conceivable that such divine love, united with divine wisdom,
and divine power, has no better way of disposing of the great majority
of the human race than consigning them to everlasting torment? And more
than that; each one of these myriads is God's own child, as
truly--perhaps more intimately--than our children are our own. I say, is
it conceivable that he has nothing better for them in store? Except our
mind and heart have been utterly warped by traditional views, surely we
will refuse to believe it.