“Sweetness and Night” is an article from Dr. Gordon H. Clark’s papers. Both the original scan and a transcribed document are here made available. If you notice any typos on the typed document please email the administrator at douglasdouma@yahoo.com.
**Items from the unpublished papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark should not be considered his definitive statement on the particular topic addressed. These papers are being provided for educational value. For Dr. Clark’s official positions consult his published writings.**
Unpublished 65. Sweetness and Night (original)
Unpublished 65. Sweetness and Night (typed)
Notes: From the papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark from The Home Evangel.
Sweetness and Night
Henry Thoreau was on his death bed, and a Christian lady of his acquaintance visited him and asked if he had made his peace with God. Thoreau is reported to have replied, “I did not know that we had ever quarreled.” The purpose of the magazine that ran this anecdote, in addition to adding interest to its pages, was probably to encourage the type of sickly sweet, popular religion that makes so many Americans feel contented with themselves.
But what a travesty on Christianity, and what a tragedy for Thoreau and any others who are taken in! To live all of one’s life and not to know that one has quarreled with God! The American people have broken God’s divorce laws; and there is not one of us who has loved the Lord our God with all our strength, all our soul, and all our mind. Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world; the world was condemned already. All people have sinned, and the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
Before anyone is deceived by sweetness and passes out into a night of weeping and gnashing of teeth, let him learn that he has indeed quarreled with God; let him also learn the good news that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
G.H.C