It may be said that I am here only combating an old-fashioned idea,
and that no one believes in the old theory of eternal punishment,
or that if they believe that the possibility exists, they do not
believe that any human being can incur it. But I feel little doubt
that the belief does exist, and that it is more widespread than one
cares to believe. To believe it is to yield to the darkest and
basest temptation of fear, and keeps all who hold it back from the
truth of God.
What then are we to believe about the punishment of our sins? I
look back upon my own life, and I see numberless occasions--they
rise up before me, a long perspective of failures--when I have
acted cruelly, selfishly, self-indulgently, basely, knowing
perfectly well that I was so behaving. What was wrong with me? Why
did I so behave? Because I preferred the baser course, and thought
at the time that it gave me pleasure.
Well then, what do I wish about all that? I wish it had not
happened so, I wish I had been kinder, more just, more self-
restrained, more strong.
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