it is wise not to commit themselves. But is not that very much the same
as to say that they are waiting for the current of popular favor before
they dare to be faithful? And does it not argue a want of faith in the
truth as a sanctifying and saving power? And is further truth likely to
be revealed to us if we deliberately shut our minds to such light as is
offered? I say, let the truth prevail, though the heavens should fall.

By the way, one of the gentlemen referred to uses the phrase "eternal
death," as many do. I wonder what they mean? It is an ambiguous phrase.
It might mean endless torment after death; or it might mean annihilation
at death; or it might mean annihilation at some future time. It is
surely misleading to use a phrase that may have so many meanings. If
some definite idea cannot be advanced, I think the effect will be that
the whole matter will be regarded as uncertain, and that there is
nothing to fear. And such I believe is largely the position of the
Christian world to-day. Could not a consensus of doctrine be arrived at
by the various Christian churches--a consensus founded on the best
interpretation of the Word; and also on reason?

Only last Sunday I heard a sermon on success in life. And it was a
better and more spiritual sermon than many that we hear on that subject.
The preacher strongly commended the Bible as the best text book on
success; and he was earnest and positive in his distinction between
right and wrong. But he gave no hint that evil doers would have any
punishment in the next life. In fact, he made no allusion to a next life
at all, except in one instance where he spoke of multitudes of men going
out into the next life as "miserable failures." Why did he not speak of
endless torment? That is one article in his creed; but he seemed not to
believe it. A few earnest sentences along that line would have been more
effectual, in my view, than his entire sermon.