During the 19th century, hell’s flames continued fading, and by the middle of the 20th century, Edwards ’ view of hell as a ‘ furnace of fire where its victims are exquisitely tortured in their minds and in their bodies eternally ’ had slipped from polite conversation.
Üheksateistkümnenda sajandi jooksul jätkasid põrguleegid vaibumist, ja 20. sajandi keskpaigaks polnud Edwardsi vaade põrgule kui „tuleahjule, kus selle ohvrite meeli ja keha igavesti julmalt piinatakse ”, enam kõneaineks.