Page:The Faith as Unfolded by Many Prophets.djvu/122

 that Jesus and his followers believed that all men should finally be blessed, appears from the many promises they gave that holiness and peace should at length conquer sin and woe, and that every soul should rejoice finally in the grace of God through Christ Jesus. The punishment which they threatened was for the impious and the impure, and not for those who, like Nathan, fulfilled the Law while they understood it not. Great and terrible beyond what we can conceive shall be the retribution of the judgment-day, and the woe which shall succeed unto those, whatever be their faith, whose guilt shall be made known; but, as surely as God is good, to none shall that woe be eternal.

Yet, replied Havilah, there is consolation for such as fear for Sachem and pity him: they may pray for him; but for unbelievers we may not pray.

Eber looked at his friend surprised, and said, Is it not permitted by Mohammed to pray for the miserable and for the guilty? and are not Infidels esteemed miserable and guilty?

While Infidels live, answered Havilah, all may pray for them, because there is hope: but when they are known to be condemned, we