Vol.  IV. p. 210.  Ed. 1694.  PLATO (Gorgias 525. c.d.  Ed. Bip.  IV. 169) represents Socrates as teaching that those who “have committed the most extreme wickedness, and have become incurable through such crimes, are made an example to others, and suffer forever ([Greek:  paschontas ton aei chronon]) the greatest, most agonizing, and most dreadful punishment.”  And Socrates adds that “Homer (Odyssey xi. 575) also bears witness to this; for he represents kings and potentates, Tantalus, Sysiphus, and Tityus, as being tormented forever in Hades” ([Greek:  en adon ton aei chronon timoronmenos]).-In the Aztec or Mexican theology, “the wicked, comprehending the greater part of mankind, were to expiate their sin in a place of everlasting darkness.”  PRESCOTT:  Conquest of Mexico, Vol.  I. p. 62.]

[Footnote 4:  It may be objected, at this point, that mercy also is a necessary attribute in God, like justice itself,—­that it necessarily belongs to the nature of a perfect Being, and therefore might be inferred a priori by the pagan, like other attributes.  This is true; but the objection overlooks the distinction between the existence of an attribute and its exercise.  Omnipotence necessarily belongs to the idea of the Supreme Being, but it does not follow that it must necessarily be exerted in act.  Because God is able to create the universe of matter and mind, it does not follow that he must create it.  The doctrine of the necessity of creation, though held in a few instances by theists who seem not to have discerned its logical consequences, is virtually pantheistic.  Had God been pleased to dwell forever in the self-sufficiency of His Trinity, and never called the Finite into existence from nothing, He might have done so, and He would still have been omnipotent and “blessed forever.”  In like manner, the attribute of mercy might exist in God, and yet not be exerted.  Had He been pleased to treat the human race as He did the fallen angels, He was perfectly at liberty to do so, and the number and quality of his immanent attributes would have been the same that they are now.  But justice is an attribute which not only exists of necessity, but must be exercised of necessity; because not to exercise it would be injustice.-For a fuller exposition of the nature of justice, see SHEDD:  Discourses and Essays, pp. 291-300.]

CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES THE TEMPER OF CHILDHOOD.

MARK x. 15.—­“Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

These words of our Lord are very positive and emphatic, and will, therefore, receive a serious attention from every one who is anxious concerning his future destiny beyond the grave.  For, they mention an indispensable requisite in order to an entrance into eternal life.  “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”