One year the council appointed to look after the local affairs in a certain town was composed of four Universalists (men who contended for the final happiness of all mankind, whether they were Christians or not), and a Christian physician. They acted through the year in great harmony as to the business of the town, but at their last meeting the four Universalists determined to attack the religion of the doctor.
After they had finished their transactions one of them said: "Doctor, we have been very happy in being associated with you the year past, and we have been in harmony in conducting the business of the town to the satisfaction of our townsmen. We have found you to be a man of good sense, extensive information, unbending integrity, and of the purest benevolence. It is astonishing to us that a man of your amiable character should believe in the doctrine of future punishment.”
The doctor replied: "Gentlemen, I should regret very much the forfeiture of the good opinion which your kindness has led you to entertain of me. Will you have the goodness to answer candidly a few questions? Do you believe in a future state?”
They replied, "We do.”
"You believe that death will introduce all men to a state of perfect happiness?”
"Of that we have no doubt.”
"Are you now happy?”
"We are not; we are far from it.”
"How do men act when they are unhappy, and know that happiness is within their reach? Do you believe that I understand the nature and operation of medicines?”
"We have no doubt, Doctor, of your skill in your profession; but what has that to do with this subject?”
"In this box," said the doctor, taking a tin box in his hands, "are pills, which, if each of you swallow one, will without pain carry you within one hour out of this world, and if your doctrine be true, place you in a world of perfect felicity. Will you accept one of them?”
"No, sir.”
"Will you?”
"No, sir.”
When they had all refused, the doctor said, "You must excuse me, gentlemen, from embracing your doctrine until. I have better evidence that you believe it yourselves.”
Men are trying to get rid of the thought of eternal punishment; they want to live as they like and escape all the consequences of their sins. "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Who is Lord over us? So all restraint is cast off. Yet God's Word stands true: "But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl. 11:99Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. (Ecclesiastes 11:9).