But in support of the idea referred to, this passage may be quoted: "The
promise is to you and to your children." Does not that exclude all
others? Well, let us see. Read on. "And to all that are afar off." Ah!
That immensely widens the circle. "All that are afar off." Who are
they? Are they not the heathen of all the world, and of all time? So the
children of believing parents are bound up in the same bundle with the
vilest of mankind. And we are not greatly surprised. For they are God's
own children, every one; and whether they are little innocent infants or
others advanced in some stages of wickedness, or the most depraved of
mankind, we believe they are all subject to redeeming power and grace.
Different means may be required for their education or reclamation; but
it is easy to believe that divine love, and power, and wisdom, will not
fail of their effect.

But, then, something more is added in the passage we have quoted. "Even
to as many as the Lord our God shall call." Does not that look like
restriction, or selection? Well let us see. Who are they that are
called? Here we have it, Listen. "Look unto me, and be saved, all the
ends of the earth." Surely, that means the whole race. And equally it
means the next life as well as the present; for there are millions and
millions who never heard the call, and never will hear it, on this
side of time.

We hope we are now leaving behind us the ferocity which was formerly
considered quite appropriate to religion. Indeed, a man was hardly
accounted serious, if he was not severe. And the worst of it was, that
God was considered severe. Men could read over and over again that "God
is love;" but somehow the great truth was not received in its fulness.
The idea of God's justice seems to have cast a baleful shadow over men's
hearts and lives. Certainly heaven's own light is now breaking through