QUES. 1.-Having long been isolated from such as love the Scriptures and have understanding in them, I appreciate the more the monthly visits of Help and Food, and now take advantage of the Question department. We read in John's first epistle, chap. 2:2, that Christ is not only the propitiation for the sins of His people, hut also for those of the whole world. In his Gospel, chap. 3 :16, 17, he again says the same thing in substance. Paul says the same thing in 1 Tim. 2:3-6, and much more to the same effect all over the Scriptures. It is evident God desires, and has provided fully for, the salvation of all men.
On the other hand, there is also mentioned in Scripture a class who are subjects for the lake of fire. Now all true Christians believe that God is infinite in power, wisdom, and knowledge. How then can we reconcile His grace in providing for the salvation of all, and His perfect power, wisdom, and knowledge, with His creating a class whose destiny is the lake of fire ?
ANS.-John 3 :18-21 is the explanation. God has created no class of beings for the lake of fire. God is love, and everything He creates has perfect love for its destiny. When Satan rebelled against God, and other angels followed him, God prepared a place in which to shut them up, that they might not disturb forever His dominions. Either the God of love must remain sovereign, or His revolted creatures become that, and drag all down into misery. Revolted men who choose Satan for their master, spite the proofs of God's love to them, spite the unspeakable pains He has been at to bring them back to Himself, spite of every means He has put out to win their hearts and lead them to repentance, must share Satan's final retribution.
If any one ask why God created beings with such great and high and solemn responsibilities, the answer is, "O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, " Why hast Thou made me thus?" (Rom.9:20.) Every purpose of God is like Himself-light and love. He has purposed none to be lost, none to be unhappy. But they who resist or despise His purposes must learn that He remains sovereign forever; and they must bow down under His judgment.
QUES. 2.-Can Christians honor Christ in being presidents or vice-presidents of boards of trade, or members of any society ?
ANS.-We cannot be conscience for others, nor has God set any one to regulate the consciences of his brethren. Anything, however, which would bind the Christian under a common yoke with unbelievers, and expose him to do what would wound a Christian conscience, would be a violation of the solemn admonition of 2 Cor. 6:14, and be thus a hindrance to the free exercise of the sweet relations mentioned in the last verse of the chapter. It would blunt the soul and check spiritual progress.