human being,
however lost, however low. In her view, the mercy which took him was
mercy that could restore all.

In my recollections of the interview with Lady Byron, when this whole
history was presented, I can remember that it was with a softened and
saddened feeling that I contemplated the story, as one looks on some
awful, inexplicable ruin.

The last letter which I addressed to Lady Byron upon this subject will
show that such was the impression of the whole interview. It was in
reply to the one written on the death of my son:--

'Jan. 30, 1858.

'MY DEAR FRIEND,--I did long to hear from you at a time when few knew
how to speak, because I knew that you had known everything that sorrow
can teach,--you, whose whole life has been a crucifixion, a long
ordeal.

'But I believe that the Lamb, who stands for ever "in the midst of the
throne, as it had been slain," has everywhere His followers,--those
who seem sent into the world, as He was, to suffer for the redemption
of others; and, like Him, they must look to the joy set before
them,--of redeeming others.

'I often think that God called you to this beautiful and terrible
ministry when He suffered you to link your destiny with one so
strangely gifted and so fearfully tempted. Perhaps the reward that is
to meet you when you enter within the veil where you must so soon pass
will be to see that spirit, once chained and defiled, set free and
purified; and to know that to you it has been given, by your life of
love and faith, to accomplish this glorious change.

'I think increasingly on the subject on which you conversed with me
once,--the future state of retribution. It is evident to me that the
spirit of Christianity has produced in the human spirit a tenderness
of love which wholly revolts from the old doctrine on this subject;
and I observe, that, the more Christ-like anyone becomes, the more
difficult it seems for them to accept it as hitherto presented. And
yet, on the contrary, it was Christ who said, "Fear Him that is able
to destroy both soul and body in hell;" and the most appalling
language is that of Christ himself.

'Certain ideas, once prevalent, certainly must be thrown off. An
endless infliction for past sins was once the doctrine: that we now
generally reject. The doctrine now generally taught is, that an
eternal persist