In the light of this fact sin appears but an episode in eternal providence; and we can conceive that it is permitted for a time, for the realization of a greater good. It is but an expansion of the acknowledged principle that God brings good out of evil. Sin is not the normal condition of the universe. It is abnormal, and in time will give way to normal conditions. We are accustomed to believe in this principle on a small scale; but if we accustom ourselves to regard the same principle or a large scale it will not be difficult to believe that sin will ultimately be done away. In the history of eternity, we can imagine it to be but a transient circumstance, like a fleck of cloud in a summer sky; and even that fleck will disappear. * * * * * Just now, since writing these lines, I have had a very singular experience. A gentleman had written me a year ago in warm appreciation of my books. But I did not meet with him until a few days ago. In our conversation he told me that on reading a certain passage--he quoted the passage--be was so overpowered that he fell backward in a kind of swoon or trance. Then he was struck by something like a spark of fire. His impulse was to cry out, but he restrained himself, and had such a vision of the love of God that he wept, and wept, and wept, in an ecstasy of joy. Indeed he was overcome when he told me the story. And this man is no weakling, by any means. He is a strong man, physically, intellectually, and spiritually. When I realized that I could be used to produce an effect like that, I was filled with wonder, and love, and praise. Now I hesitated about giving this experience, for to some it may look like egotism. But it may be taken on a higher ground. I would like to ask: Is it conceivable that such divine love, united with divine wisdom, and divine power, has no better way of disposing of the great majority of the human race than consigning them to everlasting torment? And more than that; each one of these myriads is God's own child, as truly--perhaps more intimately--than our children are our own. I say, is it conceivable that he has nothing better for them in store? Except our mind and heart have been utterly warped by traditional views, surely we will refuse to believe it. XI. THE ATONEMENT. Extent of the Atonement--The Dilemma of Universal Atonement and Partial Salvation--Human Systems of Truth--Methodist Theology--Tradition and Reason--Dr. Dale's View--No Divine Failure--Imperfection of All Theological Systems--"Sufficient but not Efficient"--Undeveloped Possibilities--The Angel in the Apocalypse--Omnipotence Both in the Physical and the Moral Realm--The Short Epoch of Time--Advance of the Presbyterian Church in the United States--Individual Congregations --Hardening Effects of the Narrower View--The Softening Influence of Dreams--Divine Capacity of Suffering--Persistence of What is Good--Good Men Who Are Not Christians--Insanity--Blind Tom.