A few days ago I was speaking with a mature and scholarly man who
occupies a prominent position in the Methodist Church. In our
conversation we drifted into the subject of Restoration, and he freely
avowed his faith in it; but he said that if such a thing were known, he
would lose his position.

In the Presbyterian Church there is by no means a universal loyalty to
the traditional doctrine of eternal torment. There was a notable
indication of this some time ago. Somehow--I do not know how--the
question of eternal punishment came up among Presbyterians in the United
States. A great number of letters was addressed to "_The Interior_," of
Chicago. Some of these endorsed the doctrine of Extinction, and the
others of Restoration. So far as I can remember, none were in favor of
eternal punishment. At the close, the Editor summed up in favor of
extinction. But he was not indicted for heresy, nor any of his
correspondents, so far as I am aware.

The whole affair showed very clearly that there is a tacit and wide
repudiation of the doctrine of eternal torment. It also showed that the
church is divided on the theories of restoration and extinction; while I
presume that many would uphold the old doctrine of torment. I claim that
this division of opinion is allowable. There ought to be, and I think
that on the whole there is, Christian liberty on this topic. Some day
the church may see eye to eye on these matters.

Especially do I honor the Episcopal Church for always having taken this
more liberal ground. It is possible to hold the most diverse views on
this point, and yet be in good standing in that communion. I lately
spoke with an Episcopal clergyman who believes not only in the
Restoration of the entire human race, but who believes that Satan