Universalism in a Nut-shell.
I HAVE often seen Universalism reduced to an absurdity. But seldom, if ever, has it been better done than in the following, which I beg leave to recite for the benefit of any who may need it: “I am a Universalist,” said G. K. boastingly, “and you Orthodox are not fair in saying that our system is inconsistent with reason.” This he addressed to one who held an opposite system. “But I will prove the irrationality of your system,” said his friend. “You believe that Christ died to save all men?” “Yes, I do.” “And “you-don’t believe there is any punishment hereafter?” “No, I do not; men are punished for their sins in this life.” “Well, now let us put your ‘rational’ system together, if we can. It amounts to just this, Christ the Saviour died to save us from nothing at all! Not from hell, because according to you, there is none. Not from punishments in a future state of being, for he receives his whole punishment in this life. Yours is the absurd spectacle of ropes and life-preservers thrown at an immense expense to a man who is on dry land and in no danger of being drowned! Let me tell you that your religion is stark infidelity. If you believed the Bible you could not believe Universalism.”—Ex.