I cannot believe God punishes people eternally; for if He is good, He could not be so cruel.

Why, no human being would be so cruel as that, and do you think we ought to believe that men are better and kinder than God ?" Alfaretta looked confused.

"Well, but justice ?" "Justice!" Helen said.

"Would it be just if I put a little child where it was certain to fall down, and then punish it for falling?
The child did not ask to be put there.

So God puts us here, where we must sin; would it be just to punish us eternally for his own work ?" Alfaretta shook her head, and sighed.