Such forced complacency in the knowledge that loved friends are consigned to hopeless torment, is repugnant to our humanity; yes, and most repugnant when humanity is at its best. On such themes some people do seem to lose their common sense and common feeling. If there were nothing else, such outrageous conceptions ought to be enough to discredit the whole theory of eternal torment. But we can endure the idea of temporary separation, when we know that such separation is necessary, and that it will issue in everlasting reunion. As to the sincerity of our professed belief that thousands of the heathen are every day dropping into everlasting fire, let me give a diagram which I have just met with, showing the relative expenditure in the United States for various commodities per year; and the amount contributed for Foreign Missions. And yet, this is a liberal showing for missions, compared with that of many other Christian countries. ================================================================= Liquor ===================================== Expenditures for Meat =================================== Tobacco, Cigars, Etc. ================================= Bread, including Flour and Meal =============================== Iron and Steel ============================== Dairy and Egg Products =========================== Sawed Lumber ========================= Cotton Goods ======================= Boots and Shoes ====================== Woolen Goods =================== Sugar and Molasses ================= Fruit =============== Public School Education ============= Furniture =========== Tea and Coffee == Salaries of Ministries = Foreign Missions Now, will any person pretend that we are sincere in our professed belief that the heathen are dropping by the thousand every day into everlasting fire? Surely, if we really believed that, and if we believed that there is only one way of averting such a fate, we would move heaven and earth to avert it. The common-sense inference is, that we do not really believe it. We may flatter ourselves that we do; long usage may aid the deception; but let us be honest with ourselves, and see how the case really stands. We may think that it would never do to drop the traditional attitude; but let us be sure of this, that self-deception can never be an aid to true religion. In this as in all things, let truth have the right of way. * * * * * I have just seen an extract from a Canadian Journal which speaks for itself. Here it is: