cases be made we cannot be confident. The attitude of theologians generally regarding individual destiny is well expressed by Dr James Orr, "The conclusion I arrive at is that we have not the elements of a complete solution, and we ought not to attempt it. What visions beyond there may be, what larger hopes, what ultimate harmonies, if such there are in store, will come in God's good time; it is not for us to anticipate them, or lift the veil where God has left it down" (_The Christian View of God and the World_, 1893, p. 397). Although in recent theological thought attention has been mainly directed to individual destiny, yet the other elements of Christian eschatology must not be altogether passed over. History has offered the authoritative commentary on the prophecy of the Parousia of Christ. The presence and power of His Spirit, the spread of His Gospel, the progress of His kingdom have been as much a fulfilment of the eschatological teaching of the New Testament as His life and work on earth were a fulfilment of Messianic prophecy, for fulfilment always transcends prophecy. Even if the common beliefs of the apostolic age have not modified the evangelist's reports of Jesus' teaching, it must be remembered that He used the common prophetic phraseology, the literal fulfilment of which is not to be looked for. Some parables (the leaven, the mustard seed) suggest a gradual progressive realization of His kingdom. The Fourth Gospel interprets both judgment and resurrection spiritually. Accordingly the general resurrection and the last judgment may be regarded as the temporal and local forms of thought to express the universal permanent truths that life survives death in the completeness of its necessary organs and essential functions, and that the character of that continued life is determined by personal choice of submission or antagonism to God's purpose of grace in Christ, the perfect realization of which is the Christian's hope for himself, mankind and the world. BIBLIOGRAPHY.--In addition to the works referred to above the following will be found useful: S.D.F. Salmond, _The Christian Doctrine of Immortality_ (4th ed., 1901); R.H. Charles, _A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life in Israel, in Judaism, and in Christianity_ (1899); L.N. Dahle, _Life after Death and the Future of the Kingdom of God_ (Eng. tr. by J. Beveridge, 1895); J.A. Beet, _The Last Things_ (new ed., 1905); W.G.T. Shedd, _Doctrine of Endless Punishment_ (New York, 1886); F.W. Farrar, _The Eternal Hope_ (1892); E. Petavel, _The Problem of Immortality_ (Eng. tr. by F.A. Freer, 1892); E. White, _Life in Christ_ (3rd ed., 1878); also the relevant sections in books on biblical and systematic theology. (A. E. G.*)