Part 1 (2/2)
We believe that if a reasonable, tangible idea of the constant presence of G.o.d with us prevailed, as also of the heavenly world, and the glories that shall be revealed; the nature of the soul of man; from whence derived; the certainty that it must endure forever; the requirements of the law of G.o.d; the certainty of the judgment; who is to be the judge; the certainty that no error can be committed in His judgment; no influences can be brought to bear to defeat the ends of justice; that the righteous shall be adjudged to the enjoyment of happiness and eternal life; the wicked be ”banished from the presence of G.o.d, and from the glory of His power,” ”to dwell in everlasting flame, and languish in eternal fire,” and that this righteous judgment will never be revoked, but stand immutable as G.o.d Himself--on and on through all eternity--we say we believe if this could be fully comprehended by finite minds, the time would not be distant ”when all _would_ come to a knowledge of the truth, and know the Lord, whom to know aright is eternal life.” This knowledge should not be sought through fear alone, but mainly through love to G.o.d, and faith in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and from the delights we feel in our consciousness of the constant presence of G.o.d--by His Spirit--with us; stimulated by love to our fellow-men; love of all Nature around us; love of the wonderful works of the creative power of the Omnipotent--even the vast wonders of His creations throughout His own native Empire.
May we not? Can we not know more of all this? We are not forbidden to investigate, to found reason on His revelations. Nay, He hath said, ”search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me.”
We do not propose the building of a ”Tower” like unto that of _Babel_, for He hath said, ”not by _might_, but by my _Spirit_.” Therefore, by the manifestations of His Spirit, which becomes sufficiently enlightening, when properly comprehended, we will endeavor to throw a faint--if not a flood-light from that eternal world into the eye of _faith_. And, if we cannot, like the martyr Stephen, ”see Heaven opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of G.o.d,” or ascend to it with ”Elijah in a chariot of flaming fire,” we may, by the mind's eye of faith, ”see through the vail darkly,” yet with sufficient light to direct us, and guide our wandering footsteps in the path that leads to that ”bright clime,” where the ”glory of G.o.d”
is the light of that heavenly world.
Our theme necessarily leads us forth through trackless realms of boundless s.p.a.ce, where, with the mind's eye, we shall behold with wonder and amazement some of the vast creations of the Omnipotent power of G.o.d; such as will inspire the mind, and fill it with awe and reverence for the Great Jehovah. We shall have a panoramic view of millions of Suns--_Heavens_--planets, and worlds, standing out, or careering through ethereal regions; peopling the realms of illimitable s.p.a.ce. We shall comprehend more fully the diminutiveness of this earth; on which we dwell, as compared to the vast creations brought forth by the ”Word of His power,” and of our own nothingness before Him, while all must inspire us, not only with awe, but with grat.i.tude and love for His merciful provision for our redemption, and for regaining ”an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”
_THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE._
The Bible--now ”The Book of the World”--is G.o.d's own revelation to man. That it was penned by holy men of G.o.d, who wrote as they were inspired, has been fully manifested by the fulfilment of prophecies; many of which were miracles, and others--in their accomplishment--awful and fearful judgments. Hence, none can doubt its authenticity as G.o.d's own revelation to man. It is our only history of the wonderful creations emanating from the Great First Cause; especially the creation of _man_; his mortal, as well as his immortal nature. From this history we learn that
”G.o.d created man in his own image; in the image of G.o.d created he him; male and female created he them. And G.o.d breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Now, man is here spoken of in the plural: hence, the whole race--the entire human family, are included, and this living principle, emanating from G.o.d himself, partakes of his own immortal nature, and can never cease or be extinguished. Therefore, the soul, or spirit of man, must continue to endure through all eternity.
The belief in a future state of existence has obtained in all ages; even in the dark regions of heathen lands, where the light of Christianity has never yet shed its radiance, and where missionaries have never penetrated. The mind of man--the thinking principle of human intelligence--seems to have comprehended this great truth; even where Christianity, founded upon Bible truths, is unknown. Indeed, the idea of the immortality of the soul of man seems _inherent_. For, go where we may, among the aborigines of every heathen clime, even from the Islands of the Bahamas to Hindostan, India, j.a.pan, and China; the savage tribes of South America, the red tribes of our own continent, or even the black races of Africa--all hold the idea of a future state of existence. True, they may not have formed correct opinions as to the nature of the place to which they expect to be transported, nor of the felicities to be enjoyed there; yet all have the idea of a future state, and it has ever prevailed.
If we trace history back to the ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the Scythians, the a.s.syrians, Greeks, and Romans; indeed, with all nations of which history gives us any knowledge, we find that it has ever prevailed. Plato, Socrates, and Demosthenes held the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and of a future state of existence; while such belief almost universally prevails in every land and clime where civilization and Christianity are known. Thus we see it an inherent law of human nature, and, in the minds of all, there is ”a longing after _immortality_.”
May we not ask, from whence comes this intuition, that all feel that death to the body is not the end of existence? Is it not that immortal spirit-life which G.o.d breathed into our first parents? that _spirit-fire_ which is eternal in its nature? that which can never be quenched nor extinguished?
The Patriarchs, the Prophets, and Seers of old realized that here they had no abiding place, and that they were but pilgrims and strangers on the earth. We are told that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired a better country, and looked forward to a heavenly one. Paul tells us ”these all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off.” See how Moses submitted to sufferings, and endured privations; yet in all these he ”had respect unto the recompense of reward.”
How many of those worthy ancients suffered persecutions in various ways for their acts of piety? even cruel mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments. Some were cruelly tortured, others were stoned, and still others sawed asunder; and yet under all these trials, and even scourgings unto death, they held firm in the faith of a living G.o.d, a future existence, and ”a sure recompense of reward.”
See Job, that faithful servant of the living G.o.d, how his faith was sorely tried by all manner of afflictions. His flocks and herds destroyed; his wealth dissipated; while disease, painful and loathsome, preyed upon him. His sufferings and agonies were so intense that all his friends believed him cursed of G.o.d, and forsook him; and even his wife--who had enjoyed the fruits of his efforts in life, reviled his integrity of faith, and scornfully told him to ”curse G.o.d and die.”
But let us hear this patient, suffering child of G.o.d:
”_True_, my flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and become loathsome, and I feel as though I would not live alway. Yet all the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change comes, _and even_ though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. I know that I shall be justified. For He shall be my salvation. If a man die he shall live again. And now, behold my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see G.o.d, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold.”
Where! oh, where, hath such faith been shown! And his faith being sorely tried and found true and unwavering, his G.o.d came to his relief, restored him to health, and blessed him--even more abundantly than before; after which he lived an hundred and forty years and died in peace.
Here we see, that, long anterior to the coming of Christ, Job declared that he knew his Redeemer was then living, and that in the ”latter days” he should ”stand on the earth.” See this truthful evidence of the Son of G.o.d coming down from heaven to ransom and redeem fallen man!
The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, who should ”ransom his people from the power of the grave,” and ”redeem them from the second death.”
The sweet singer of Israel, looking forward to coming ages, through the vista of revelations, breaks forth in rapturous confidence--
”Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Though my heart and my flesh fail me, yet Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
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