8/25 Feeling deeply as I do about certain things, it is worse than useless for me to go and hear Elder Dean or old Mr.Smith; they either annoy me or amuse me, and I don't know which is worse. I have heard Mr.Smith thank the Lord that we are not among the pale and sheeted nations of the dead, ever since I came to Lockhaven. And Elder Dean's pictures of the eternal torments of the damned, 'souls wreathing in sulphurous flames' (those were his words to-night, John!), and then praising God for his justice (his justice!) right afterwards,--I cannot stand it, dear. I do not believe in hell, such a hell, and so it is absurd to go and listen to such things. |