114 QUAKER ASPECTS OF TRUTH 



the children a good education* What she suftered it 

 is impossible for us to realise^ but by her sufferings 

 she saved her children from degradation, and turned them 

 out into the world useful and self-respecting citizens. 

 I used to know them well, and was proud to know 

 them. Here, then, we have an example of vicarious 

 suffering — the innocent suffering for the guilty — the 

 mother suffering for the father's sin. But not only 

 was it vicarious suffering : it was obviously vicarious 

 suffering which had in it no small measure of atoning 

 efficacy. By the mother's sacrifice the children were 

 saved from ruin and were made useful and self-respecting 

 citisjens. The harmony, jeopardised by sin, was in a 

 large measure restored. 



Let me give you another illustration. 



Many years ago I knew a married couple who fell 

 through drink, and other more terrible forms of vice, 

 and their children's prospects seemed ruined. But 

 the grandmother of the children rose to the occasion. 

 She sacrificed the leisure and comfort of old age, and a 

 very real sacrifice it was, and brought up a second 

 family. Here again, we have vicarious suffering — the 

 grandmother suffering for the parents' sin. Again it 

 was vicarious suffering which obviously had in it a very 

 large measure of atoning efficacy. By their grandmother's 

 sacrifice the children were saved from the most terrible 

 degradation imaginable, and are now filling useful and 

 honourable positions in society. I know them well, 

 and am proud to know them. 



But why should I multiply illustrations ? Similar 

 examples must occur to the minds of everyone ; for, 

 as a matter of fact, vicarious suffering is a universal law 

 ["of our being from which it is impossible for one of us to 

 escape. Apart from all doctrines of theology, men do not 

 suffer alone for their own sins. The punishment is 

 always borne in part, and often entirely, by the innocent : 



