The eminent French theologian, Fr. F.X. Schouppe, SJ., author of Purgatory-Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints, has written here as similar-type book, thought much smaller, on the subject of Hell. Whereas he does review the basic Catholic doctrine on Hell, in this book he mainly recounts numerous true stories that reinforce belief in Hell and the eternity of its horrors. These stories are frightening-how could they be otherwise-and they are obviously intended to be by the writer. For his purpose is to awaken in his readers a profound realization of the reality of Hell and to create in them a firm purpose of mind and heart no to go there. To the many who are not motivated to be good by the love God, the fear of Hell is a legitimate and usually efficacious and salutary motive-especially so when one considers Hell as exemplified in these true stories.
Because this edition of Hell is expanded, with a new preface, there new appendices, and a Part II, called. How to Avoid Hell, by Thomas A. Nelson, the impact of the book is much stronger than that of the original, which was written over 100 years ago, and which, nonetheless, is here printed complete and unabridged.