Surely this abnormal gift of the poor idiot is a strong suggestion of his immortality. We refuse to think of that divine spark being quenched in everlasting night. And it is almost more impossible to imagine a wholly irresponsible being like him, yet endowed with such a divine gift, being consigned to endless torment. What remains, then, for him but a part in the better world? Yet he was by no means fit for that better world. Is there not then almost forced upon us the idea of a preliminary stage of education? And if that is so in his case, is it not more or less required in the case of every one of us? Think the matter over seriously, and see where it will land you. XII. A FEEBLE NOTE OF WARNING. The Creed of Eternal Torment--Do Ministers Really Believe It--If They Do, Why Not Say So?--No Decisive Note of Warning--Definite Missionary Incentive Is Wanting--The Phrase "Eternal Death" often Used--Does It Mean Eternal Annihilation, or Eternal Torment, or What?--Vague Reference as to Punishment Fosters Unbelief--An Age of Compromise --Professor Faulkner's Testimony--The Idea of Restoration Would Wholly Meet the Difficulty--Honesty and Candor--Carlyle's Scathing Warning --Ultimate Fulfillment of Prophecy--Eternal Songs. If the doctrine of everlasting punishment is true, there has been of late years a singular reserve on the part of preachers in proclaiming it. Why? Surely "all doctrine is profitable." This doctrine would seem to me to be specially so, if it is true. It is contained in the creed of both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. But do the ministers believe it? If they do, would they not preach it; yes, preach it morning, noon, and night? But as a matter of fact they do not preach it. I never heard a sermon on it, or any attempt to prove it, since I was a child. A short time ago in a large congregation the minister asked for a show of hands on the part of any who had heard a sermon on hell during the last ten years. Two hands were held up. Some time ago a noted Methodist minister told me that the Methodist ministers of Canada do not believe in Everlasting Punishment. A prominent official of that church told me lately that he does not believe it, but that if it were known he would lose his position. The Presbyterian ministers seem largely to hold the same view. Is the subject mooted at all in any Presbyterian Church? I know that ministers profess to believe it; but they seem as apathetic about multitudes dropping continually into eternal fire as if they did not believe it. Privately, I have spoken on this subject with many ministers; and not one of them professed to believe it. * * * * *