51) 



•so as to become in repute for it, also becomes 

 dangerous and presages its utter subversion and 

 ruin. And just in proportion as individuals or 

 nations disbelieve in future retribution, in the 

 .same proportion do crime and lawlessness prevail. 

 Dr. Shedd (Endless Punishment) says :— "The 

 French people, at the close of the last century, 

 were a very demoralized and vicious generation, 

 and there was a very general disbelief and denial 

 of the doctrines of the Divine existence, the im- 

 mortality of the soul, the freedom of the will, 

 and future retribution. And upon a small scale, 

 the same fact is continually repeating itself. And 

 every little circle of businessmen, who are known 

 to deny future rewards and punishments, are 

 •shunned by those who desire safe investments. 

 The recent uncommon energy of opposition to 

 endless punishment, which started about ten 

 years ago in this country, (1875) synchronized 

 with great defalcations and breaches of trust, un- 

 common corruption in mercantile and political 

 life, and great distrust between man and man. 

 No theological tenet is more important than 

 eternal retribution to those modern nations 

 which, like England, Germany and the United 

 States, are growing rapidly in riches, luxury, and 

 earthly power." 



The human family constitutes one vast govern- 

 ment, This government has its laws. These 



