“I confess that is a puzzling question,” answered Ernest.
“Besides,” continued the Lieutenant, “your position is contrary to sound philosophy.”
“How is that?”
“You say it is left to men to choose their own destinies. Now suppose that not one of the human race had accepted Christ, would not the atonement have been a failure? Would not Jesus have died in vain?”
“It does seem so,” said Ernest.
“Do you suppose,” continued the Lieutenant, “that the Lord was trying experiments?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean this,” answered the Lieutenant. “if God was experimenting, He virtually said: ‘Son, go into the world, and make an atonement for the sins of all mankind; perhaps, some may avail themselves of the provisions of this scheme which we have adopted, but we do not know that a single individual will be saved.’ Do you not suppose that God had some definite purpose to accomplish in the atonement? If not, He was less wise than men are. Even we, weak human beings, never go to work without some plan and some object.”
“Of course,” said Ernest, “I admit that God had a definite purpose in view.”