from the memories of mankind as if we had never been—­and whither I Worst of all, sin would remain—­dark, mysterious, and terrible sin!  And “obstinate questionings” would remain to disturb and perplex the mind in moments of earnest and silent thought.  Men would still ask, What if we are responsible to God for this whole inner and outer life of ours, with its beliefs, purposes, and actions?  What if sin and its consequences continue beyond the grave, with no remedy there unless found here?  What if there is no possible happiness but in fellowship of spirit and character with God; and what if this is morally impossible for us to attain without a Saviour and Sanctifier What, in short, if all the evils which Christianity professes to deliver us from remain as facts in our history, just as diseases remain though the aid of the physician, who reveals their nature, and who offers to cure them, is rejected? or, as a vessel remains a wreck in the midst of the breakers after the life-boat which comes to save the crew is dismissed? or, as the lion remains after the telescope is flung aside which revealed his coming, and revealed also the only place of safety from his attack?  For it is obvious that Christianity does not create the evils and dangers from which it offers to deliver us, and that these must remain as facts should it be proved a fiction.  So far, then, the infidel has gained nothing by the overthrow of our religion.  “Except truth!” does he exclaim?  Yet, I again repeat it, truth in its negative form only, as destroying supposed falsehoods, but not in its positive form as establishing something to rest upon.

Is there any other conceivable gain, then, which would accrue to the unbeliever by his supposed success?  Does he wish, for example, to relieve oppressed souls of some great burden which crushes them?  But what alleged truths or doctrine of Christianity, if blotted out to-morrow from the circle of belief, would ease a single soul, while it would unquestionably be an irreparable loss to millions?  Would a God be more acceptable, and appear with greater moral beauty, who was different from the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?  Would He be more attractive to our hearts if He did not forgive our sins fully and freely, or if forgiveness was not offered through such Divine self-sacrifice?  Would it be a relief to our moral being to be freed from the privilege or duty of supremely loving Jesus Christ?  Would it lighten our hearts to be freed from the burden of having communion with Him in prayer?  Would we have more security for light, life, strength, holiness, peace, or comfort, if there was no such Person revealed as the Spirit of God, who freely imparts His aid to all?  Would it be glad tidings to hear that men were not to be born again, nor to repent, nor to deny themselves, nor to do God’s will, but their own?  What is there which a good man would gain by the destruction of the Christian religion!