_6. Lesson Taught by Severity of the Atonement:_ Let the severity of the Atonement impress men with one very important truth, viz., that breaking up the harmony of the moral government of the world is a serious, adventurous, and dangerous business, even though when necessary to bring about conditions essential to the progress of Intelligences; and more serious when man in his presumption and apostasy from God, of his own perverse will, to gratify his ambition, or pride or appetite or passions, violates the law of God and breaks the union between himself and Deity. That is serious; and how difficult it is to re-establish that union, to purchase forgiveness for that sin! How hard it is to make amends to the majesty of God, dishonored by man's individual transgression of divine law--let the severity of the Christ's Atonement for man's sin bear witness; for it required all that the Christ gave in suffering and agony of spirit and body, to lay the grounds for man's forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The severity of the Atonement should impress men with the fact that we live in a world of stern realities; that human actions draw with them tremendous consequences that may not be easily set aside if the actions in which they have their origin are wrong. Moral laws have their penalties as physical laws have their consequences; there could be no moral laws without penalties; and penalties of laws must be enforced, else laws are mere nullities. Violations of moral law are attended by shame and suffering; suffering is the consequence or the penalty of violating divine, moral law; and the penalty must be paid, either by the one sinning or by another who shall suffer vicariously for him. This brings us to one of the great questions inseparably connected with the Atonement. Can there be such a thing as vicarious suffering? And can the vicarious suffering of an innocent victim pay the debt to justice due from one who is guilty of the transgression of law? LESSON XXIII. (Scripture Reading Exercise.) THE EFFICACY OF VICARIOUS ATONEMENT. ANALYSIS. I. The Law of Righteousness. II. Possibility of the Spirit Suffering. III. The Suffering of Men. 1. Because of Their Own Sins. 2. Because of the Sins of Others. 3. With Each Other on Account of Sin. 4. Willingness of Men to Suffer for Others and what it Suggests. IV. Vicarious Suffering the Doctrine of Christ. V. The Reign of Law and Love. REFERENCES. The texts and contexts of the scriptures quoted and cited in the body of this lesson. _SPECIAL TEXT: "He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. * * * Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins._ _"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (I John iv:8-11.)_ DISCUSSION.