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BETTER THAN NOTHING

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 16, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 20.

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“BETTER THAN NOTHING.”

By G. W. A.

The Daily Graphic, is responsible for the following incident, which has a certain bearing on one side of the question of eternal torment, which is being so warmly discussed by the clergy at the present time:—
“A good old Methodist lady, very particular and very pious, once kept a boarding-house in Boston. Staunch to her principles, she would take no one to board who did not hold to the eternal misery of a large portion of the race. But the people were more intent on carnal comforts than spiritual health, so that in time her house became empty, much to her grief and alarm.
“After some time a bluff old sea captain knocked at the door, and the old lady answered the call.
“‘Servant, ma’am. Can you give me board for two or three days? Got my ship here and shall be off soon as I load.’
“‘Wa-al I don’t know,’ said the old lady.
“‘Oh, house full, eh?’
“‘No, but——’
“‘But what, ma’am?’
“‘I don’t take unclean or carnal people in my house. What do you believe?’
“‘About what?’
“‘Why, do you believe that any one will be condemned?’
“‘Oh, thunder! yes.’
“‘Do you?’ said the good woman, brightening up. ‘Well, how many souls do you think will be in fire eternally?’
“‘Don’t know, ma’am, really;—never calculated that.’
“‘Can’t you guess?’
“‘Can’t say,—perhaps fifty thousand.’
“‘Wa-al, hem!’ mused the good woman; ‘I guess I’ll take you; fifty thousand is better than nothing.’” G. W. A.