Page:The New View of Hell.djvu/180

 whose existence we are compelled to admit, the moment we admit that each one takes his own character with him into the other world, and that those of similar character are there drawn together, and held together and act together as one.

And something—nay, much, I think—is gained, when the Devil, whom intelligent people were fast coming to look upon as a fabulous sort of being, is so presented that all doubt about his existence and reality as well as his nature, is banished. It places the Scripture in a different light, and inspires fresh confidence in its divinity.

And seeing what the essential nature of the Devil is, we may see what it is to be influenced and led by him—and what to be led by the Lord. When we earnestly strive to know and do the right—when we look to the Lord and seek to regulate our lives according to his revealed will, then we suffer ourselves to be led and governed by Him.

But when we seek only to do our own wills—when we heed the promptings of self-love more than the still small voice of truth and duty, then we breathe the atmosphere of hell; our spirits act in conjunction with the infernals; we are led and governed by the Devil.

And when we consider what legions there are who constitute the Devil, and who are banded together in a conspiracy against all that is good and true and holy in human hearts and human society, how clear and imperative becomes the need of an almighty Arm to save us!