propensities of one individual, he is doing injury to hundreds. But, on the other hand, the wise and firm judge, by punishing the guilty, is, in fact, protecting the innocent, and guarding society from harm: thus he is truly kind and benevolent, as well as just. It is upon this principle, that the Divine Being, the great Judge of all, deals with His creatures. Even as a Judge, He is still and ever influenced by love, as well as by truth. He is not stern and vindictive, though it may appear so to those who suffer for their sins: just as, to the criminal, it appears as if the judge who condemns him were vindictive and cruel, though he is, in fact, but calmly administering the law; and the law itself is formed on principles of mercy and true benevolence, for the end of protecting society against its disturbers and destroyers. In like manner, the Great Governor of all, who makes and administers the laws of the universe, has ordained those laws for the guidance and for the protection of the good—for the purpose of bringing to happiness and of protecting in peace all those who are willing to obey them and thus to do His righteous will. Those, consequently, who are unwilling to yield to the Divine guidance—who oppose and run counter to the laws of order, by which the great Society of the universe is governed and preserved, and who seek to infest and disturb that Society—as all the wicked do—must be punished; and this, not in vengeance, but for the necessary protection of the good. Divine law, like all right human law, is not vindictive, but protective; and thus is essentially merciful and kind, having the good and happiness of mankind for its object.
Now, apply these principles to the case before us.
