Our departed friends

Front matter

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Preface

critics can revel with satisfaction to their profounder and sharper intellects. But we think that it can never fail to interest the thoughtful spirit to study the workings of the human mind, and observe how from the beginning it sought to throw off the shackles of ignorance, pierce through the mists of darkness and superstition, and look with clear vision over and through upon the other side. The ancients walked in dim shadow, but they were continually struggling for the light. Why, then, should mortals living under the full glory of the sun of inspiration, with the unerring certainties of revelation before them, so often shut out that light which others so earnestly coveted? The gates of the Celestial City have been opened to us, and our departing Christian friends catch a glimpse of the brightness of the heavenly world, —

" Ere the farewell is hushed in this."

Standing as we do between the mortal and the immortal, constantly liable to be removed from this into that, it is well to be assured of what awaits us — to be conversant with that which we must meet.

The considerations herein expressed are for every household in the land. That they may guide some mind in its search after what is true, — that they may confirm some who are doubting, quicken some who are hesitating, stir the thoughtless, and help those who have low views to grasp the divine ideal, — is the humble wish of the writer. That the work may carry consolation to many deathsmitten circles is the fervent prayer, with the hope that it will also give glad conceptions to all who look upon this picture of the glories of the immortal life, inasmuch as its brightest and only worthy tints have been borrowed from the sketches of divinest models — the sacred artists. j p c

Chapter I. Universal Belief In Immortality In All Time

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Prevalent Ideas of the Future in the Early Ages. — Power of persistent Self- Inquiry. — Confession of Lord Bolingbroke. — Argument of Dick. — Homeric Views. — Poets of Antiquity. — Mountain Illustration. — Socrates. — Opinions of Philosophers of different Nations 13

Chapter II. The Desire Of Continuous Life An Inherent Principle Of

MIND.

Yearnings of Childhood. — The Soul's Thirstings. — Fear of Socrates. — Cicero's Instructions to his Pupils. — Dying Testimony of Franklin. — Of Byron. — Universal Action reveals Desire. — Perpetual Longings. — Inferences 34

Chapter III. Aspirations For Jiental And Moral Perfection

Nature of the Soul. — Opinions of different Nations and Writers. — Power of Mind over Matter. — Influence of Disease. — Varied Capacity of Mind. — The mightiest never satisfied. — Influence of Science. — Obstacles to Intellectual Greatness. — Limitless Objects 49

Chapter IV. Moral Perceptions Presuppose A Future

Man as an Intellectual Being. — Heart-Culture. — Flowers and Icebergs. — The Inner Light. — The Moral Virtues. — Influence of Love. — Of Friendship. — Examples of Moral Heroism. — Strong Presumption of the Continuance of Moral Powers in a more perfect State 66

Chapter V. Forebodings Of Retribution

Sphere of Conscience. — Belshazzar. — Testimony from Profane History. — Webster, the Murderer. — Moral Convictions answering to Moral Laws. — Society without Virtue. — Force of Moral Obligation. — Tendency toward Perfection. — Its Indications 79

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Chapter VI. Inequalities Of The Present Life

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Teachings of Nature. — Character of God. — Virtue and Vice unrewarded here. — Waldensian Persecution. — Scenes in the Reign of Louis XIV. — Days of Martyrdom. — Mysterious Providences. — Life apparently a Season of Discipline 93

Chapter VII. Mind, From Its Very Nature, Imperishable

Brahminical Philosophy. — The Poet's Soliloquy. — Sleep and Death. — Argument of Descartes. — Infidel Theory of Annihilation — Nature never warrants it. — Changes in Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms. — Flavel and Hall. — Physiological Changes 106

Chapter VIII. Inexplicable Mysteries Attend The Denial Of A Future

The Coliseum. — Earth a Tomb. — Meditations on the Supposition of no Future. — Birth of Error. — Waste not in God's Plan. — Immortality a desirable Fiction, if it be one 121

Chapter IX. Elements Of Present Happiness A Warrant For Their Continuance

Analysis of present Life the only Basis without Revelation. — Nature as a Guide.

— Abundant Provision for Happiness. — Organs of Sense. — Social Joy. — The Mourning Exile. — Sympathy. — Imagination. — Genius. — Restoration of Order.

— Truth gilding the gloomy Picture 140

Chapter X. Glory And Certainty Beam From Revelation

The sure Guide. — Revelation a Sun. — Harmony between Nature and Revelation. — Bible not dealing in direct Assertions. — Patriarchs influenced by the Belief of endless Life. — Prophetical Writings. — Christ. — The Apostles. — Vision of John. 160

Chapter XI. Wisdom Cries, A Work To Be Done

Time with Reference to Eternity. — Strange Indifference of the Worldling. — Direction of Human Effort. — Cardinal Wolsey. — The Excursion. — Blessedness of immortal Life. — The Heathen Philosopher 177

Chapter XII. Death The Portal To The Unseen

Sentence in Eden. — Nature of the Change. — Valley and Stream unknown. — Heathen Notions of Death. — Sounds from Hindoo Shores. — Sceptical Ideas. — Effect of Christ's Mission. — Luther and Melancthon. — Christian Views. — No Death in Heaven 189

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Chapter XIII. The Grave

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Grave faithful to its Trust. — Associations of Jesus' Grave. — Voice issuing from it. — The Grave as regarded by heathen and unchristian Nations. — Christian Views. — As a Home. — A Harbor. — A Resting-Place. — As the Threshold of Heaven. . . 211

Chapter XIV. The Resurrection

Life's Epochs. — Insufficiency of Human Philosophy. — Analogy of Nature. — Scripture Declarations. — Christ's Resurrection a Pledge to Believers. — Whately's Opinion. — Thompson's. — Bible Evidence sufficient. — Souls will sparkle as Gems in the Redeemer's Crown at the Last 225

Chapter XV. The Intermediate State

The Soul of infinite Moment. — Votaries of Science. — Dying Thief. — Moses and Elias on the Mount. — Premonitions of Conscience. — Joys of Believers. — Early Church History. — Opinion of primitive Fathers. — Hades. — Pneumatology of Paul. — Views of Whately 244

Chapter XVI. The Future The Soul's Eternal Home

Universality of Home Influence. — Providential Designs. — The eternal Home.— Views of Reason and Imagination. — Character given to a future Home by these. — The only true Picture found in the Gospel. — A little While and the Christian will reach the blessed Mansions 262

Chapter XVII. The New Jerusalem

Necessity of Heaven to Pagan Minds. — The various heavenly Creations. — The New Jerusalem of the Bible. — Heaven prefigured by Paradise and Canaan. — Locality of Heaven. — Opinions of various Writers. — Inspired Declarations. — Inconceivable Glories 272

Chapter XVIII. Heaven As A Place

Natural Ideas associated with Place. — Analogies. — Christ's Teachings. — Spiritual Discernment. — Jewish Faith. — The Soul's Constitution demands Place. — Opinions of Harbaugh. — Bliss of Heaven sufficient to satisfy the Soul's utmost Demands. . 294

Chapter XIX. Heaven As A State

Man never satisfied with Revelation. — Platonic Notion. — Senses the natural Channel of Activity. — Heart-sentiment superior to Place. — Illustrations drawn from the Blind and Deaf. — Poet Imagery. — Heaven to be sought. . . 307

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Chapter XX. Glimpses Of The Blessed Things To Come

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Jewish Emotions at beholding Canaan. — Power of first Glimpses. — Living Illustrations. — Pilgrim on the Mount. — Foretastes at the Close of Life. — Hall, Payson, and Janeway. — Triumphant Death of youthful Disciples. — Faith at the open Grave. — Pisgah Views frequent among the Faithful 319

Chapter XXI. The Heavenly Inheritance A Peculiar Good

Emotions at earthly Acquisitions. — Superiority of heavenly. — The first Paradise.

— The second eclipsing it. — Perpetual Youth. — Sinlessness the crowning Glory.

— The Faith-inspired Soul rich. — Watchfulness necessary 338

Chapter XXII. Negative Bliss Of The New Jerusalem

Relations of Negation and Affirmation. — Bible Representations mainly negative. — Characteristics. — No Curse, no Death. — No Danger, no Sorrow or Mourning. — Blessedness of those who enter. — Perfect Vision. — The whole Being complete. . 350

Chapter XXIII. Positive Bliss Of The Heavenly World

Whisperings of Prophecy. — Music an Element of heavenly Bliss. — Joy of actual Service. — Varied Affirmations. — The sealed Brow. — Wondrous Light. — Rest. — Exemption from painful Sensation. — The Way open through the Atonement. — Human Conception inadequate to the Formation of so perfect a Heaven in Thought 374

Chapter XXIV. Occupations Of The Blest

Eternal Life a Continuation of this. — Future physical Economy unknown. — Activity a Law of all Being. — Memory survives. — Study of Science. — Redeeming Love the grand Theme. — Praise. — Cultivation of Virtue. — Heaven a glad Surprise 397

Chapter XXV. Society Of Heaven

Beautiful Elements in Nature. — Man communicative and receptive. — Jesus loved Society. — Soul made for it. — Degrees in Heaven. — Society of Angels, of Christ. — Love the prime Characteristic. — Perfect Appreciation found only in full Fruition i 423

Chapter XXVI. Angels

Guardian Angels. — The Good and Evil. — Angel Organism. — Their Appearance to Patriarchs and Prophets. — Swift-winged. — Their appropriate Office. — Silent Ministration to Christians. — The Relation of the Earthly and the Heavenly. . . . 443

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Chapter XXVII. Recognition Of Friends In Heaven

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Complex Nature of Man. — Friendship a divine Institution. — Views of the Ancients concerning heavenly Recognition. — Modern Christians. — Scripture Facts. — Christian Anticipation. — New and constant Acquisition of Good . 403

Chapter XXVIII. Children In Heaven

Childhood and Innocence. — Power of infant Smiles. — The Convict. — Lord Byron. — Children an Attraction of Heaven. — Saved by Grace. — Theory of Augustine. — The early Reformers. — Zwingle. — Calvin. — Christ's Love to little Ones a Pledge. 477

Chapter XXIX. The Body Glorified

Rich Endowments of Immortality. — Conflicting State of Body and Spirit here. — The glorified Body powerful. — Glorious and honorable. — Incorruptible and spiritual. — Blessedness of the Combination. — Holiness and Perfection the End of true Self-Discipline 494

Chapter XXX. The Spirit Glorified

The Attributes of God's Nature warrant Glorification to the Christian. — Results expected from the Union of Love and Power. — The Senses glorified. — The mental and moral elevated. — Mutual Interest of the Saints. — Glory waits for the Believer 513

Chapter XXXI. Perpetuity Heaven's Crowning Glory

The Christian absorbed in '■'■Forever." — A Terror to the Guilty. — Permanence necessary to Enjoyment. — Earth transient. — Heaven permanent. — Motives to seek it. — Recognition of the Judge 533