December 2 + 

At first, when we are very young, Death arouses our curiosity, as it did Cain in the beginning. It is a strange and very rare phenomenon which we cannot comprehend, and every time we hear of someone’s death, we try to recall that person’s appearance in life and are disappointed if we can’t. The endeavour is to discover what it is, this Death, to compare two things, the idea of the person alive and the idea of him dead. At last someone we know well dies⁠—and that is the first shock.⁠ ⁠… I shall never forget when our Matron died at the D⁠⸺ School.⁠ ⁠… As the years roll on, we get used to the man with the scythe and an acquaintance’s death is only a bit of gossip. + 

Suppose the Hellfire of the orthodox really existed! We have no assurance that it does not! It seems incredible, but many incredible things are true. We do not know that God is not as cruel as a Spanish inquisitor. Suppose, then, He is! If, after Death, we wicked ones were shovelled into a furnace of fire⁠—we should have to burn. There would be no redress. It would simply be the Divine Order of things. It is outrageous that we should be so helpless and so dependent on anyone⁠—even God. + 