Forest Man

76. We are directed to give thanks for all men. I Tim. 3:1. Truly, then, all have something to be grateful for. But, if eternal woe is to be the doom of some of our countrymen, citizens, neighbors, relatives, and household, it would have been far better if our race had never existed; especially that portion thereof that may be the subjects of infinite wrath and vengeance forever. We are told that all the happiness those enjoy on earth, who may in the end be cast into hell, will infinitely increase their sufferings in that awful world, by contrasting their condition in perdition with what it once was; so that, even the few joys they once knew will be an endless curse to them. What reason, then, will they have to be thankful for life or any of its delusive shadows? If the doctrine of eternal woe be true, they are all dreadful curses in disguise. But, thank God, this life and all its joys are real blessings to all: they will not end in our eternal condemnation; and while life, being, and immortality endure, all will have reason to be thankful to God for bestowing them.

77. Christ “can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.” Heb. 5:2. Who, then, dare say that he will not have compassion on those classes, enlighten their minds, and lead them in the right way? He surely will; for he is the Light of the world, and the Savior of lost men. But, according to Partialism, he will have no compassion for countless millions of our frail race, but will make it his business to drive them into hell, and there torment them eternally. Who can believe that our blessed Redeemer is, or ever will be, so cruel?

78. The law of God requires all mankind to love him with all the heart, and soul, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves; and hence, it is said by St. Paul, that “love is the fulfilling of the law.” Will all mankind ever love thus? Will the law ever be fulfilled? Jesus informs us that love divine will reign in all hearts – that the law will be fulfilled. “Verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18. This is a triumphant refutation of the doctrine of endless hatred and sinning. The law of God requires, for its fulfillment, all to love and serve God, and Christ teaches that the law shall be fulfilled.

79. The doctrines of Jesus are of such a character that, when he preached, the people “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” Luke 4:22. Is there any grace in the doctrine of eternal damnation? If there is not, he did not preach it; for, “gracious words” were spoken by him. Jesus taught that God is the Father of mankind, in truth as well as in name; that his name and nature are love; and that he will finally deliver his offspring from the sorrows and imperfections of earth, and exalt them to heaven. The people were not accustomed to such “gracious words,” and well might they wonder.

80. Jesus tells us not to take anxious thought of the future. Matt. 6:25-34. We should trust in God. He is able and willing to save us, and he has solemnly promised that he will. God, immediately after the flood, told Noah that, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease.” Gen. 8:22. Would it not be impious to doubt the fulfillment of this promise? To be anxious about the return of the seasons, and of day and night? It certainly would. Is it not equally impious to be fearful that God will not provide for our eternal well being? All that is required of us is, “to deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God.” He will provide for us hereafter. Our destiny is in his keeping.

81. Jesus reproved the Pharisees for shutting up the kingdom of heaven against men. “Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, nor suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Matt. 23:13. They were never guilty of shutting up the kingdom of hell – they were perfectly willing that it should be kept open, and that many should go in thereat; but the door of the kingdom of heaven they endeavored to close against all who did not think and do as they did. How many there are at this day just like the Scribes and Pharisees of old! They open hell and shut heaven to most of mankind. If Jesus were on earth, he would say to them, “Woe unto you!” as he did unto their ancient brethren. Remember, elsewhere Christ said to his disciples, “Beware of the doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees.” Jesus labored, preached, suffered, died, rose from the dead, and ascended on high, that all might enter his kingdom; and we are informed that “he shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.” All, then, will finally enter the kingdom of heaven.

82. Peter was instructed in a vision, that all mankind came from heaven; that they are, while on earth, protected by heavenly power; and that they “all will be drawn up again into heaven.” Acts 10:10-16.

83. The same truth is taught by Paul, when he says, “For of him (God), and through him, and to him, are all things.” Rom. 11:36

84. The same soul-cheering truth is also taught by the wise man. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; but the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Eccl. 12:7. From these three passages we learn, that mankind are of divine origin; are, while on earth, under divine protection; and when they leave this world, return to that great and good Being who created and sustains them. Says Jesus, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32. Amen.

85. It is also written, “Therefore, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Rom. 5:18. Observe, first, the judgment to condemnation came on all men. None are excepted – all were condemned. Second, the free gift, with justification of life, also came on all men. The free gift of eternal life is to be equal in extent to condemnation, and all are to enjoy eternal life. Can argument be more complete?

86. In the next verse it is written, “For, as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19. The same many that were made sinners shall be made righteous. Dr. Macknight, an orthodox Commentator, thus comments on this verse: “For, as the many, in the first part of this verse, does not mean some of mankind only, but all mankind, from first to last, who, without exception, are constituted sinners, so the many in the latter part of the verse, who are said to be constituted righteous, through the obedience o Christ, must mean all mankind, from the beginning to the end of the world, without exception.” Is not this argument also complete?

87. The same writer, in the next verse, adds: “But, where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Grace, then, is to abound beyond sin. But, how can this be, unless all enjoy this grace? All mankind sin; and in order for grace to abound much more than sin, all men must partake of that grace.

88. Paul says that, “As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Rom. 5:21. Sin hath reigned unto death. All sin, and all receive its wages – moral death. Grace is to reign unto eternal life. All are to be recipients of this grace, and enjoy eternal life.

89. We are required to love our enemies, that we may be like our heavenly Father. Matt. 5:44. It is, then, a glorious truth that God loves his enemies; for, if he does not, we, by loving ours, would not imitate him. The fact that we are required to love our enemies – to be Godlike – is proof positive that God loves his. I know this is deemed by some a false and dangerous doctrine; and many go so far as to say that it came from hell and that the devil is the father of it! But, it is of more respectable origin; it came from heaven, and he God of purity and truth is its author, and Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to inform the world of this truth. It is not strange that some suppose that God will torment a part of those he loves, without relief and without end? The hawk loves the dove, the wolf loves the lamb – loves to torment them. Is everlasting burning the fruit of God’s love? Mr. Shinn very truthfully remarks: “And what greater cruelty can be conceived than for creatures to be filled as full of torments as their capacity can hold, and be confined in necessary sin and misery without end, by Almighty power?”

“Alas! This doctrine casts its shadow far behind, and eclipses all the sacred and soul-cheering truths of the Christian religion! In vain may we be told of the good Providence of God toward the Jews or the Gentiles; in vain may we behold the mild and beautiful character of the Savior, as “the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person”; in vain may we study the justice, the veracity, and the kindness of our Maker’s conduct in the present world. The doctrine under review carries the universe forward to a gloomy consummation, and causes all those stars of encouraging doctrine to set under an unfathomable of mystery and darkness, which seems plainly undistinguishable from an unprincipled and unfeeling despotism.”

90. We are all required to “bless those that curse us,” that we may be “merciful, as God is merciful.” Luke 6:28, 36. How false, then, is the dogma which represents God as cursing forever those who are so unwise as to pollute their lips with profanity; which says, because men do wrong, God will do infinitely worse – will pour out volleys of curses upon their defenseless souls eternally! This doctrine degrades the Almighty below the most profane wretch on earth. Remember, we are required to bless them that curse us, that we may be Godlike.