Look, now, at the intrinsic reasonableness of this New doctrine of hell; and compare, or rather contrast it with that believed and taught a hundred years ago. While our reason protests against the Old as utterly absurd, it freely and cordially accepts the New. The Old is a purely sensuous doctrine, in accordance with a sensuous age, a sensuous philosophy, and a sensuous interpretation of holy Scripture; while the New is eminently spiritual, in harmony with the conceptions of spiritually minded men, with the higher spiritual philosophy, and the spiritual interpretation of the Divine Word. The Old is arbitrary—lying quite outside of the domain of law and order; while the New is seen to be in perfect accord with the known laws of the human soul—the inevitable result, indeed, of the violation of these laws. The Old presents God as a very monster of cruelty; while the New exhibits Him as a wise and tender and loving Father, forever pursuing his rebellious children into the lowest depths of sin and suffering; clasping his arms around even the devils in hell; providing a congenial home for all in the great Hereafter; and just such a home as each one, by the life that he has voluntarily formed, strengthened and confirmed, is fitted to enjoy, and will himself freely choose.
Who, that is not utterly blinded by prejudice, can fail to see that this New doctrine, as compared with the Old and once generally accepted view, is as the light of noon-day compared with the darkness of midnight!
