Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/248

242 regarded as absolutely essential to salvation, the damnation of all unconverted heathen followed as a logical conclusion. For how could people believe in a vicarious atonement, who never heard of a crucified Redeemer? Yet, for not believing in that of which they never heard, millions of human beings (so Christians believed and taught) must be shut out of the kingdom of heaven, and forever suffer the torments of the damned! One can hardly conceive of a more unreasonable or revolting doctrine than this, or one more derogatory to the character of the Heavenly Father. And in what a sad and unenlightened state must the Church have been, when such a belief could be generally entertained! Every one who allows himself to think apart from his creed, or who consults the feelings and intuitions of his better nature, knows that such a doctrine cannot be true; for if true, it would stamp the supreme Ruler of the universe as the most abominable of tyrants. The Sacred Scripture, enlightened reason, our sense of justice, and every tender and humane sentiment, are alike opposed to such an idea. And these same witnesses further concur in teaching, that He who is Love itself and Wisdom itself could not create beings capable of blissful conjunction with Himself, and then leave them without the means or possibility of attaining to