I make the quotation to show how easily, yet with what limitations, we fall into the generally expressed view that God "would have all men to be saved," while really ignoring the fact. For the writer evidently refers to the time when the church awoke to the necessity of missions; and he evidently thinks that our feeble efforts in that direction prove in a general way that God "would have all men to be saved." He takes no note of the millions and millions that have passed away without so much as hearing the joyful sound. And he is equally oblivious to the fact that millions who are living now, and other millions yet to come, will never hear the Gospel in this life. Are not these some of the "all men" whom God would save? Does it matter to Him whether they are in this world or the next? Has any one of them gone beyond the sphere of His love? We must enlarge our conception of God's own words and thoughts; they are as high as heaven is high above the earth.
I have just received a circular from a pastor of a certain congregation. It is an appeal on behalf of missions. It asks if this scheme of the church is a failure; and if not, why it is not supported. Then it goes on to say that the churches have been assessed in certain amounts, and that this particular church is far behind in raising its share. Each member is then urged to pay up.
But not a word of incentive is given. We are not told what the heathen are to be saved from, or what they are to be saved to. Surely we would like to know if they are going straight to everlasting fire if they are not converted. That is the doctrine of the church; but it does not seem expedient to express it. Why? Because it is not believed. If it were believed would there not be plenty of funds to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth? So we hang on in theory to the doctrine of eternal torment; but we do not dare, nor are we inclined, to express it. Surely it is time for a change; yes, a change to honesty and candor. If we are undecided, let us say so; the truth will prevail in due time. It is "to the upright there ariseth light in the darkness."
Nor, as I have said, does the circular give a hint or hope of what the heathen are to be saved to. There is no suggestion of "glory, honor, and immortality." Is not this altogether too vague a way of extorting money? But let it be made clear that by our efforts the worst of the heathen will be put in the way of salvation, and in many cases of possession of it, and I think there would be no lack of funds. Let it be shown that whatever there is of future suffering is on account of sin, and that it is a divine preparation for eternal joy, and the most hardened and selfish will have a worthy appeal to their liberality.
For notwithstanding all hardness and selfishness, there is deep down in the human heart a feeling of wonderful kindness for our own kith and kin. Witness the heroic efforts that are willingly made to save a fellow creature from danger or death. See the agony that is endured by the most selfish when every effort seems fruitless. Yes; we see this very plainly in the case of temporal danger or death. Would not we see the same solicitude multiplied a thousand fold if it were realized that the issues involved are eternal?
When we get to that point where these great issues can be presented as real facts, and not merely as half believed theories, I believe there would be no difficulty in raising funds for missions. And surely, it will not then be a matter of assessment, but of free will. May the glorious day be hastened!
IV.
INFINITE JUSTICE.
A Strong Argument—Universal Atonement—Infinite Justice Satisfied—A
Candid Methodist Minister—Can Man Commit an Infinite Sin—Everlasting
Punishment Could Never Be Endured—Uses of Suffering—Punitive and
Remedial—The Penalty has Been Paid—Moral Effect—Mystery of Pain—Not
Punishment but Chastening—Extending Our Outlook Beyond—Boundless
Space and Time—Operation of Grace in the Next Life—Infinite
Power—Infinite Mercy—Infinite Love—Incentive to Endless Praise.
It may be said that in this argument I am not taking sufficient account of divine justice. That may be so. The fact is, that the relation of justice to the idea of universal salvation was one of the last ideas on this subject that came to my mind. But now it seems to me that in the idea of divine justice is involved one of the strongest arguments for universal salvation.