ng in view of
the vessels of mercy, who, instead of taking the part of these miserable
objects, will say, Amen, Alleluia! praise ye the Lord!"

Where, in the pages of God's word, is such teaching to be found? Will the
redeemed in heaven be lost to all emotions of pity and compassion, and
even to feelings of common humanity? Are these to be exchanged for the
indifference of the stoic, or the cruelty of the savage? No, no; such is
not the teaching of the Book of God. Those who present the views expressed
in the quotations given above may be learned and even honest men; but they
are deluded by the sophistry of Satan. He leads them to misconstrue strong
expressions of Scripture, giving to the language the coloring of
bitterness and malignity which pertains to himself, but not to our
Creator. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death
of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye,
turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?"(938)

What would be gained to God should we admit that He delights in witnessing
unceasing tortures; that He is regaled with the groans and shrieks and
imprecations of the suffering creatures whom He holds in the flames of
hell? Can these horrid sounds be music in the ear of Infinite Love? It is
urged that the infliction of endless misery upon the wicked would show
God's hatred of sin as an evil which is ruinous to the peace and order of
the universe. Oh, dreadful blasphemy! As if God's hatred of sin is the
reason why it is perpetuated. For, according to the teachings of these
theologians, continued torture without hope of mercy maddens its wretched
victims, and as they pour out their rage in curses and blasphemy, they are
forever augmenting their load of guilt. God's glory is not enhanced by
thus perpetuating continually increasing sin through ceaseless ages.

It is beyond the power of the human mind to estimate the evil which has
been wrought by the heresy of eternal torment. The religion of the Bible,
full of love and goodness, and abounding in compassion, is darkened by
superstition and clothed with terror. When we consider in what false
colors Satan has painted the character of God, can we wonder that our
merciful Creator is feared, dreaded, and even hated? The appalling views
of God which have spread over the world from the teachings of the pulpit
have made thousands, yes, millions, of skeptics and infidels.

The theory of eternal torment is one