suffering as the effect of sin, but so does the doctrine of extinction.
To be eternally put out of being, and so precluded forever from eternal
happiness, is punishment beyond the power of the mind to conceive. As we
cannot conceive of the felicity of eternal joy, so we cannot conceive of
the loss of it.

It is a matter of no great moment to others how I myself stand on this
great question, except for the reasons which I think support it. I am by
no means dogmatic on the subject, for the reason, as stated before, that
revelation does not seem to give a clear and direct deliverance on it.
But I do think that there are much clearer and more emphatic Scriptural
statements in favor of the doctrine of Restoration than any of the
alternate theories.

I think, moreover, that reason is clearly in favor of it, so far as
reason will carry us. And I believe what an eminent minister said
lately: "We ought to make our faith reasonable to reasonable minds."

The fact is, that all true religion is reasonable, and we would see it
to be so if we could see the truth in all its relations. But our views
are limited; that is the trouble. Hence there are many topics that we
shall not fully understand in this life; but "when that which is perfect
is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

It will be seen also that details are not only unrevealed but also that
they could not possibly be revealed. The main fact only can be the
subject of investigation. Faith can wait for the revelation of the mode
and the time.

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