In 1769 James Boswell had this exchange with Samuel Johnson:
Boswell: "What do you think Sir, of purgatory, as believed by
the Roman Catholicks?" Johnson: "Why, Sir, it is a very harmless
doctrine. They are of the opinion that the generality of mankind
are neither so obstinately wicked as to deserve everlasting
punishment nor so good as to merit being admitted into the
society of blessed spirits; and therefore that God is graciously
pleased to allow a middle state, where they may be purified by
certain degrees of suffering. You see, Sir, there is nothing
unreasonable in this." Boswell "But then, Sir, their Masses for
the dead?" Johnson: "Why, Sir, if it be at once established that
there are souls in purgatory, it is as proper to pray for them
as for our brethren of mankind who are yet in this life."
Although Johnson was no "Catholick," he recognized that the
doctrine of purgatory is not at odds with other tenets of
Christianity. In fact, as he may have known, there is
considerable scriptural warrant for it, e