Glory of the immortal life, embracing numberous examples of the struggles and triumphs in Christian life

Front matter

GLORY

OF THE

Immortal Life,

Chapter I. Universal Belief In Immortality In All Time

Faca

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 II

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

MIND.

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

Chapter III. Aspirations For Mental 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

War. 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 ft

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, T9

(Til)

viii

Chapter VI. Inequalities Of The Present Life

Teachings of Nature. — Character of God. — Virtue and Vice unrewarded here.— Waldensian Persecution. — Scenes in the Reign of Louis XIV. — Days of Martyr dom. — Mysterious Providences. — Life apparently a Season of Discipline. . • . • 8P

CHAPTER VLT.

MIND, FROM ITS VERY NATURE, IMPERISHABLE.

Branminical Philosophy. — The Poet's Soliloquy. — Sleep and Death. — Argument of Descartes. — Infidel Theory of Annihilation. — Nature never wai rants it.— Changes in Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms. — Flavel and Hall. — Physiological Changes. 104

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 deairable 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. • <,..• 14C

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. 3fl3

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 - 171

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 . . . . 18&

CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII. The Grave

P*os

ttrtve 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 . , . , 226

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 289

Chapter XVII. The New Jerusalem

Hffeeessity 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 278

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. — Bliis of Heaven sufficient to satisfy the Soul's utmost Demands. . 294

Chapter XIX. Heaven As A State

5f an 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. ... ....... 804

CONTENTS.

Chapter XX. Glimpses Of The Blessed Things To Come

Jewish Emotions at beholding Canaan. — Tower of first Glimpses. — Living Illustrations. — Pilgrim on the Mount. — Foretastes at the Close of Life. — Hall, Payson, inn J Janeway. — Triumphant Death of youthful Disciples. — Faith at the ooen Grave. — Pisgah Views frequent among the Faithful 318

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. . 35fc

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 Thoo^ht 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 307

Chapter XXV. Society Of Heaven

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

Chapter XXVI. Angels

<rfu»rd*aw Vigels. — The Good and Evil. — Angel Organism. — Their Appearance to Patriarchs and Prophets. — Swift-winged. — Their appropriate Office. — Silent Ministrafion to Christians. — The Relation of the Eartblv and tha Heavenly. ... 443

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXVn.

RECOGNITION OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN.

FiM

Complex Nature of Man. — Friendship a divine Institution. — ViewB of thf Ancients concerning heavenly Recognition. — Modern Christians. — Scripture Facts.— Christiau Anticipation. — New and constant Acquisition of Good. ........ 461

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

Kich 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 613

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 633

Chapter XXXII. The Education Of The Soul

Home Preparations always cheerful. — Soul-Education the Work of Life. — EnJ' yment proportioned to Cultivation. — The Sea Captair,. — The ripe Christian. — 7 he glorious Destiny of Believers. — Passing away oot a gloomy Thought *o them. 641

Chapter I. Universal Belief In Immortality In All Time

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

" What shall our lot be, when we lay aside These cumbering vestments of mortality ? "

is a question that has exercised the human mind, and agitated the human heart, from the earliest ages ; accompanied, indeed, with cheerless doubts whether the living, acting prin ciple, the possession of which self-consciousness assures, be that which shall run parallel with interminable ages, or find its full end in the narrow round of a few fleeting years on earth. From the depths of anxious souls, down through all time, there has been the ceaseless echo of the same question, Are we immortal, or are we not ? For long periods man's history and destiny were like an ocean of unfathomable mysteries. ; the waves of dark uncertainty ever sweeping onward, beating against the shores of ill-concealed oblivion. But mind, in its restlessness for something more, was never content to dwell upon the frontier of so shadowy a land, and therefore continually sought to know if the realm before was real and actual, or unreal — an indefinable nothing — an evermore , o*

GREATNESS OF THE PROBLEM.

nevermore. No other matter of equal interest could absorb the attention of thinking men, none as relating to himself. As the Great First Cause is higher and nobler than all created intelligences, and his interests higher than all human interests, we might suppose that minds which he had created in his own image, and associated with organisms of such wonderful skill, would first of all be engaged in the contemplation of the character of their Creator, and the study of his will. But mortals would fain know themselves; would lift the veil of mystery; clear away the mists of doubt that surround their own future, and understand whither they ara bound, what shall attend them on then* way, and what awaits them at the close ; for an end is a natural idea of man. In connection with this idea there must of necessity be solicitude ; and what shall meet it ? Observation cannot, experience cannot. Who, then, shall solve the enigma? From whence cometh light to illumine the dark recesses of mind ? It is not strange that the spirit's cravings are for this knowledge, and that, prior to the gospel's cheering revelations, a thousand ways of man's devising had been opened, each promising to conduct the multitude through their labyrinthian journey, to a, perhaps, possible state in some very doubtful region, either within or without God's universe. The closing day and setting sun inspire no terror, and bring no dread, for the morrow's sun is an object of assured hope, and this assurance precludes doubt and disquiet. So man, as he approaches the evening of his days, the twilight of his existence, would fain be persuaded that a new era of gladness will open before him, and his soul exult in the continuation of that most desirable of all things, life, lie cannot rest while all things depend upon uncertain ifs. Ever and anon he will be engaged in the profound soliloquy, ' f If I am destined to an eternal existence, if the powers of my mind are being disciplined for another state, how incalculably momentous is time! What infinite importance attaches to the actions, pursuits, and affections of the present ! How desirable

SELF-INQUIRY that the energies of my being be so directed ae to find that channel through which flow those streams of felicity which constitute the bliss of endless bfe !

" But if it be not thus, if it be the whole of life f to live,' if it be that the whole of existence is circumscribed within the narrow circle of the few, fleeting years that pass between the first wail of infancy and the last agony of worn-out, expiring nature, then of what avail are the plans and purposes I am continually forming ? Why cherish affection ? It will soon die out. Why practise virtue, since there is no inducement? I am to myself an enigma, an inexplicable mystery, that I fail to find out. O, tell me, ye winged winds, and mighty waves of ocean tide, if in all your broad circuits ye have found the f land of Evermore.' "

Such are the queries which self will ever propose to self, in its unsettled, unenlightened state ; and the response that comes up from the deep caverns of untaught Nature is not sufficient for the spirit's repose. There is something more needful ; yet Nature hath its teaching and its wise counsel, to which all may well give heed.

Everything that hath a tendency to establish the doctrine of man's immortality will be invested with a thousand charms for the thoughtful and reflective mind, which regards with becoming interest its future destination. Its frequent consideration, its constant repetition, can never divest the idea of its power, for each for himself must personally prove its reality, to his own ineffable joy or sorrow. From whatever source the knowledge be derived, it will be taken into close embrace as of vital account, while the whole man grows stronger and better, under the firm conviction of an immortal destiny.

In considering the doctrine of the soul's immortality, upon which hinges the "New Jerusalem, or the life to come," we shall first consider proofs from the light of Nature. Accordingly the present chapter is given to the contemplation of

CONFESSION OF BOLINOBROKE.

the truth that there has been in all time, among all nations and people, the universal belief of a future, endless life.

The idea of some "immeasurable, boundless time " has, at least, been an undertone in the human spirit from the beginning. Far back in the most ancient traditions of the pagan world, ere civilization and learning had shed their benign rays upon the moral darkness of man, the doctrine of immortality held sway over his mind. A celebrated philosopher of early time, in speaking of the happiness of those who departed this mortal life, represents the birth of such an opinion as dating at such an uncertain period in the past, that none knew when it began to be, or who was its author, therefore rendering it easy to believe it was handed down from earliest ages. "Before we have any light into antiquity," says Lord Boiingbroke, whose want of interest made it no willing confession, " these things began to be taught ; and when we begin to have any , we find it established, that it was strongly inculcated from time immemorial, and as early as the most ancient and learned nations appear to us." The mysteries of another life were among the first things toward which Keason turned its piercing eye ; and though it had not yet gained the advantage of telescopic visior , it discovered, through the dim ether, glimpses of that which awakened the deepest interest and most anxious inquiry. How could it be otherwise ? for " the soul of the very first pagan was immortal, and consequently of infinite capacity in this respect, and it would therefore, by impulse of its own nature, breathe after the infinite." Dim and confused, indeed, were all notions of future life and endless existence, for it was the "gray twilight of the world's morning," when not the faintest sign was visible to herald the approach of the sun of celestial Truth which should arise, with "healing in its wings/ dispensing light and gladness upon the yearning, darkened souls of men. They struggled foi victory ; they knew not what. With an instinctive belief in the unknown, the unseen.

UNIVERSAL BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY. 17 tkey yet panted for certainty. The fervor of their belief was visible in a thousand absurd manifestations, and the numberless superstitions woven into their web of thought show the imperfect character of their hopes ; but it illustrates the point at issue, that the desire for immortality is an innate principle in the human mind, thus affording strong piesumptive proof of the truth of the doctrine.

It stood like a pillar of light, around which were everwidening circles, in which error and distortion appeared like giant sentinels, casting a broad shadow to obscure the light struggling from the centre ; but faint beams did struggle through, and had then' legitimate effect upon the world around. It made the cloud upon the horizon seem still more dark, and the mists below still more heavy ; but it was an earnest of that true light which was to break forth to enlighten the world. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world, darkness precedes light, and evening is followed by morning. We, who rejoice in the full splendor of gospel light, must find it both profitable and interesting to discover in these remote ages of the past, in the dim light of antiquity, the appearance of that truth which succeeding centuries have unfolded, and divine revelation confirmed to us, beyond the possibility of a doubt. It is a mournful state of things, and widely to be deprecated, that so large a portion of the human race at the present day are sitting in the shadows of ignorance and barbarism ; but it is also interesting to notice how these same people believe in the life, the eternal life of the soul. Imagination, it is true, has been tasked to its utmost limit to produce satisfactory theories ; and unrestrained by the only proper guide, depraved passions and sensual natures have been the inspiration and startingpoint, from whence have sprung forms of monstrous growth. They strangely intermingle the mortal and the immortal, peopling immensity with animals, men, and gods, according to their own confused and low notions of what constitutes the b!iss of immortality, " Among the numerous and diversified 2

ARGUMENT OF DICK.

tribes that are scattered over the different regions of the earth," says Dick, " that agree in scarcely any other sentiment or article of religious belief, we here find the most perfect harmony in their recognition of a Supreme Intelligence, and in their belief that the soul survives the dissolution of its mortal frame. And, as Cicero long since observed, f In every thing the consent of all nations is to be accounted the law of nature, and to resi&s it is to resist the voice of God.' For we can scarcely con* ceive, in consistency with the divine perfections, that an error, on a subject of so vast importance to mankind, should obtain the universal belief of all nations and ages, and that God himself would suffer a world of rational beings, throughout every generation, to be carried away by a delusion, and to be tantalized by a hope which has no foundation in nature, and which is contrary to the plan of his moral government. It is true, indeed, that many opinions which prevail among the uncivilized tribes of mankind, in regard to the condition of disembodied spirits, and the nature of future happiness, are very erroneous and imperfect ; but they all recognize this grand and important truth, that death is not the destruction of the rational soul, and that man is destined to an immortal existence. Their erroneous conceptions in respect to the rewards and punishments of the future world may be easily accounted for, from a consideration of the imperfect conceptions they have formed of the divine Being, and of the principles of his moral government ; from their ignorance of those leading principles and moral laws by which the Almighty regulates the intelligent universe ; from the false ideas they have been led to entertain respecting the nature of substantial happiness ; from the cruel and absurd practices connected with the system of pagan superstition ; from the intellectual darkness which has brooded over the human race ever since the fall of man ; and from the universal prevalence of those depraved dispositions and affections which characterize the untutored tribes on whom the light of revelation has never shone."

ARGUMENT FROM UNIVERSAL BELIEF. 19

To whatever cause this universal belief of a future existence is to be traced, — whether to a universal tradition derived from the first parents of the human race ; to an innate sentiment originally impressed on the soul of man : to a divine revela* tion, chsseminated and handed down from one generation to another, or to the leductions of human reason, — it forms a strong presumption — a powerful argument — in fa T , or of immortality.

If it is to be traced back to the original progenitors of mankind, it must be regarded as one of those truths which were recognized by man in a state of innocence, when his affections were pure, and his understanding fortified against delusion and error. If it be a sentiment which was originally impressed on the human soul by the hand of its Creator, we do violence to the law of our nature when we disregard its intimations, or attempt to resist the force of its evidence. If it ought to be considered as originally derived from revelation, then it is corroborative of the truth of the sacred records, in which "life and immortality * are clearly exhibited ; and if it be regarded as likewise one of the deductions of natural reason, we are left without excuse if we attempt to obscure its evidence, or to overlook the important consequences winch it involves.

As the consent of all nations has been generally considered as a powerful argument for the existence of a Deity, so the universal belief of mankind in the doctrine of a future state ought to be viewed as a strong presumption that it is founded upon truth. The human mind is so constituted, that, when left to its native, unbiassed energies, it necessarily infers the existence of a Supreme Intelligence, from the existence of matter, and the economy of the material world ; and from the nature of the human faculties, and the moral attributes of God, it is almost as infallibly led to conclude that a futui* existence is necessary, in order to gratify the boundless desires of the human soul, and to vindicate the wisdom and rectitude of the moral Governor of the world. These two grand truths,

I"

20 EOMERIG VIEWS.

which constitute the foundation of all religion, and of everything that is interesting to man as an intelligent agent, are interwoven with the theological creed of all nations ; and in almost every instance where the one is called in question, the other is undermined or denied ; so that the doctrine of the immortality of man may be considered as resting on the same foundation as the existence of the Great Supreme.

Homer, the distinguished father of poetry, history, and philosophy, embodied the sentiments of the Greeks in his writings, giving descriptions and allusions which furnish convincing proof that the idea of the soul's immortality was a prevalent opinion in the time in which he wrote. Hints and passages are constantly occurring in which he supposes the separate existence of human souls ; and that which he makes Achilles to say, after the death of his beloved friend, Patroclus, indicates the state of his own mind with reference to the subject.

" 'Tis true, 'tis certain ; man, though dead, retains Part of himself: th' immortal mind remains; The form subsists without the body's aid, Aerial semblance, and an empty shade."

His account of the descent of Ulysses into hell, and his description of Minos in the shades below, distributing justice to the dead assembled in troops around his tribunal, and pronouncing irrevocable judgments which decide their everlasting fate, demonstrate the entertainment of the belief that virtues are rewarded, and crimes punished, in another state of existence.

Others of the ancient poets have also intimations to the same effect, showing that the nations to whom their writings were addressed were interested in the same thought. The same opinions are involved in the poems of Ovid and Virgil. " Their notions of future punishment are set forth in the descriptions they give of Ixion, who was fastened to a wheel and whirled about continually with a swift and rapid motion ; of Tantalus,

POETS OF ASTIQU1TY.

who, for ths loathsome banquet he made for the gods., was get in water up to the chin, with apples hanging to his very Hps. yet had no power either to stoop to the one to quench his rasrinsr thirst, or to reach to the other to satisfy his craving appetite.''' Various and similar allusions shadow forth the same great truth. Wise philosophers of the past, whose names have come down through the long lapse of ages, with whom is associated much that is profound, have added strength to the testimony.

They have sayings which are as gems from the mine of truth : that are as true to-day as when, with earnest, far-reaching thought, they brought them up from the realms of doubt and darkness, to be a light to inquiring minds forever after. They were scintillations of light whose brightness will never be obscured.

Looking within, to the mysteries of the inner world of life, they could but reason themselves into a higher, diviner state of existence. Thus in Phocylides are sentences like the following : "Immortal souls, free from old age. live forever." "All the dead are equal, but God governs souls." R We hope to see the remains of the dead come out of the earth into light, after which they will be gods : for incorruptible souls remain in the dead. The spirit is the image of God. given to mortals.''* This is indeed strangely-sounding phraseology to disciples of a more perfect day and more perfect philosophy : but it is one thing to see the human mind struggling to free itself from chains, and another to see those chains effectually removed by the Great Deliverer. It is one thing to stand on the high point of present advantage, and witness the mighty conquests which truth has made under the auspicious reign of the Most High, and quite another thing to take our position with those men, who stand, as it were, unconsciously burnishing weapons for an uncertain warfare.

Suppose one of the loftiest mountains of our globe, towering high above the clouds, had never been visited. Standing

MOUNTAIN ILLUSTRATION.

in iU solitary grandeur, it is an object of interest to all ; but its gigantic height and difficulty of access render the idea of scaling its summit a mattter of improbability.

And suppose a throng of eager adventurers, from various motives of interest and pleasure, to be animated with a desire to accomplish the task, and take within the range of their own vision the broad sweep that circleth round this silent monitor of Nature. The pathway is unknown. They have no certain knowledge to guide them. They have never trod these fastnesses, to tell what characterizes them ; and of course their views, and consequently their paths, would diverge from the beodnnino'. While one might see that which would invite him in a certain direction, another would consider the opposite path far more alluring. Others still would observe new indications, and there gain their own adherents, and thus would separate groups pursue their own way, yet all bent upon the same object — all seeking the same point. A few, perhaps, sink exhausted by the way, but the majority reach the summit ; some, it is true, by a more circuitous path than was needful ; but, having no established precedent, their own convictions became the guiding-star of action, and some allowance is always necessary for the uncertain rays of mere human conviction.

Something like this was the doctrine of immortality in the early ages. It stood in its own solemn grandeur and sublimity, far above all other truths relating to the history of man, and mankind would fain sound its depths and scale its heights. It pierced the skies, and they longed to know what was visible from such a point ; if, indeed, " sweet fields 99 were discovered to lie beyond, exceeding all that was ever presented to the range of ordinary vision. They yearned to possess the true knowledge. They sought it — earnestly pursued it ; by different ways, it is true, and with different degrees of success. Tht> way was not clearly opened, for the "Star in the East" had not yet appeared ; the boundary line between the seen and

ARGUMENT OF SOCRATES.

unseen had not been recrossed to tell what was upon the other side. It was a devious way, and they faltered in it ; but it is interesting to follow them and catch their words as they proceeded, for it leadeth on and up to the true goal.

Socrates, an Athenian philosopher, the most celebrated of all antiquity, whose name has become almost as familiar as that of a household friend, was deeply interested in this subject. Four hundred years before Christ he gathered about him a band of devoted disciples, and imparted unto them his own superior wisdom — superior for the time in which he lived. His extraordinary mind and genius excited the envy and malice of some, while it elicited the warmest admiration of many. In the groves of Academus, the Lyceum, and on the banks of the Ilissus, he was followed by those who listened with delight as he discoursed of immortal things, and rehearsed the probability of ages " which none but God doth number," and of truth which flowed like a river " fast by the oracle of God." Mingling exhortation with his teaching, he besought them to the consideration of that which, if true, was of infinite moment - — of the deepest personal interest — worthy of the most profound study and the most faithful investigation. Could it be established, it might be theirs to be acquainted with mysteries of bliss, "high on the hills of immortality," in the future which awaited them. "Whether this be really so," said he, "the Divinity alone knows ; but I cannot find it in me to disbelieve so probable and desirable a truth." It was a favorite theory of this philosopher that things are produced by contraries; and in conversation with Cebes, a pupil of his, the latter is made to ask this question : —