The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-01
"DOEs GOD AFFLICT MENs"
Dr.. Fl. w. Kellogg Denies an Ancient
Superstition F~orcefully.

DE-. He w. hcllO88 Oen1eS an ancient
Superstition Forcefully.
Does God Af1ict Mann was the subject
discussed by DR.. H. w. Kellogg at the Gen.
tral-avenue NJ. E.. Church. yesterday morn
ing. He said:
ITO grant the sovereignty of God seems
logically to force on Him the direct author
to reconcile His goodness with such con-
duct. Pagan religions have usually resulted
In dualiSm-two powers OF control, one Tor
good and the other for evil. But the Jew
ish and Christian have never allowed this,
teaching absolutely one God. The devil
has been clothed with almost omnipotent
power and has been assigned as the cause
theory of the Christian church has been
to attribute to God himself in akind of care
less way. the cause and agency of both
good and evil. This is most clearly set forth
in the old Calvinistic thought. God. for
His own glory, aff1icts man and sends upon
him pestiience and sorrow. 1 say this has
been preached thoughtlessly, for no
healthy mind can or will endure the logical
conclusions of such a horrible position. One
of the questions that used to be asked can
the ministry. not fifty years ago, among
some churches, was: Are you willing to be
eternally damned for the glory of God?'
one incident which checked this practice
was the answer made by a minister who
became famous in the New England
Church. When asked If he were willing to
be eternally damned for the glory of God.
he replied: NO / would not; but l am will
ing that the should AS we
think back We are not surprised that men
like Emerson and his friends should refuse
to be subject to such teaching. 0But this
has nearly all passed away. The world
has outgrown its ancient fear of God and
learned a new lesson of His kindness and
love. God is not always on the side of the
strong battaiions, but he is often with the
weak, encouraging them to rise to strength
and JOY.
"It will be asked, who is responsible for
afliction that so prevails in human life?
The responsibility is divided. No one in
particular is directly the author. They are
results following upon imperfect conditions.
God is at a sublime task of making holy
and righteous manhood. and in the making.
and springing out of the very processes
necessary ito His accomplishment, are af-
hictions. He cannot cease His work, but
He will do all He can to make these as
harmless as possible. The old superstition
rid of and has acted too important a part
in all our interpretations of God. What a
plight it would place US in If the doctrine
were pushed to Its final conclusions, that
God is the purposeful author of all suffer-
ing and death. Then any man who at
tempts TO alleviate suffering and sickness
would be the enemy Of God, fighting against
His plans. Sanitary measures are wicked;
the health officers should be outlawed; the
physician should be mobbed and the angels
Of sympathy and mercy should be driven
away. What a monster this would make
God.
when suffering overtakes US and SEEM
ingly cannot be prevented, then God comes
close and says, L tried to keep you away
from that consumption. / gave you infor-
nation and warned you, but you have been
careless and weak. and yet / will not leave
you. / will send my messengers of mercy
with flowers and cheer and my angels If
needful. And II death comes. which l do
not want. which l have always hated and
YOU another world of bliss and glory.
will never leave thee nor forsake thee. My
mercy and love have no limits"