The Object in Permitting Suffering
By Adelaide D. Wellman
ONE of the tersest writers the world knows, brings up anew a hackneyed subject. Certainly he would not do so if he did not have something unhackneyed to say about it. Here is what he says: “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end [purpose] of the Lord.” James 5:11. Doubtless, as James states, “ye have heard of the patience of Job”; but I am not quite sure that the purpose of Job’s suffering has been generally seen. Nor do most people understand why any innocent person should have to suffer, if, as declared in the same scripture, the Lord is very pitiful. Things look much as if He did not concern Himself about the inhabitants of this world, or else were not the all-powerful Being He is depicted. A brief statement of the case may enable some to comprehend more clearly the design of the Infinite. The Creator, in the beginning, defined conditions that were necessary to human welfare—very easy conditions, not in the least168oppressive or irksome. However, as He would not put His creatures on the level with mere machines, He left each one free to choose whether he would comply with these conditions or not. One individual, out of vanity, chose to rebel. He declared that God was dictatorial in putting His creatures under restrictions; that such a course was an infringement of individual liberty; that the requirements were useless, and moreover, were impossible of fulfilment. The universe had never before heard a falsehood, and they were bewildered by these. Even the omniscient God was at a disadvantage in trying to refute Satan’s misrepresentation; for while the evil one had recourse to every trick he could devise in order to deceive, the Father could use only straightforward means. What could He do to convince the inhabitants of all the worlds, that right is right, and wrong is wrong?—Just what He has done—let results demonstrate; let the rebel power carry its evil principles far enough that every intelligent being in all the universe shall see that the Creator’s way is best. Then all who are in harmony with that perfect way, will rejoice in it evermore; but those who would yield only unwilling acquiescence, will cease to be, for perfunctory submission is incompatible with “the object of the Lord.” ADELAIDE D. WELLMAN.