Some time ago I presented this argument to a Presbyterian minister, not
suspecting in the least that he was wanting in orthodoxy. He said the
argument was conclusive, and that there is no such thing as eternal
punishment. I have since spoken with many ministers on the same topic;
and in no case was there any opposition. Many are hesitating and halting
between this view and the one that has so widely prevailed. Especially
is there a natural hesitation to speak about the matter publicly. The
main question is, Is it true? If it is, it is good news indeed for our
poor, suffering world.
I may state here that there is another possibility which, if it had been
adopted, would have avoided all necessity for punishment. I refer to the
fact that when Adam and Eve sinned, God might have cut them off, and so
avoided the hideous tale of suffering that has resulted since. Or He
might have rendered them childless, and have thus anticipated and
avoided all difficulty. Either of these measures would certainly have
been fraught with far less suffering than the consignment of so many
uncounted millions, or even one individual, to eternal torment. The fact
that any better measure was available, is a strong argument for the
ultimate restoration of the race.
We believe that God has made a provision for all mankind, ten thousand
times better than the cutting off or rendering childless of the first
pair. When we realize that the whole race is yet to be restored, we
begin to see something of the unbounded love and wisdom that rule
through all time and all eternity. Even the suffering of the present may
be made conducive to our ultimate happiness and glory. A little farther
on we may see that sin and suffering have been permitted for a time as
an object lesson for all eternity. In view of such a possibility we feel
like exclaiming, "O, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom, and
knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past
finding out!"
Very recently there came to me a new idea; and it came with such
suddenness that I can believe it was a suggestion from another Mind. I
was listening to a very able and thoughtful sermon. The theme was the
retention of the Canaanites in the land, instead of driving them out. We
read that "When Israel was strong, they put the Canaanites to tribute,
and did not utterly drive them out." The very natural and telling
application that was made by the preacher was, the many compromises with
evil that are made in our own time for the sake of gain.