Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-09-15

tnO nel1nl Oh itllaluat!On anu illuGUCSS. III
is contrary TO every principle on which
reasonable men act, in relation TO the az
fairs the present world To retain the
profits of ii lucrative business, or to pre-
vent the loss of fortune, or ofhonor, man
will sometimes strain every nerve, stretch
every faculty, deprive himself Of sleep,
submit To numerous privatlOns, encounter
the raging elements and brave the dan
gers of the ocean. Nay he will often be
overwhelmed with dchpondcncy at the
! slightest Inconvenience, ard viii pass
whole weeks and months in sulicnncss
and chagrin, for an imaginary alllont, or
for the loss of a few pounds, while at the
same time he remains perfectly indi.cr-
ent, and without the least emotion in re-
gard TO the unknown scenes Of the ctcr-
nal world, and the danger Of endless mis-
cry to which he is exposed. Such a
conduct, and such Il disposition, which
are too frequently realized il the case Of
thousands who occasionally minglc in
our religious assemblies, are obviously
inconsistent with the dictates Of prudence
and Common sense, and with every thin.
accountable creature.
When we look back into the incXplo-
rablc abyss OF that eternity which is al
ready past, when VIC lock forward to the
immC Casurable extent and miathomab!e
depth Of eternity to comc--whcn We be-
hold INnc, and all its circlinrycars, ap-
pearing only like point on the surface
of that vast and boundlcss ocean; when
we consider the immense spaces of the
universe, with which we were surround
ed, and the innumcrable worlds which
lie dispersed in every direction through
out the immeasurailc tracts OF Creation;
when we consider, that our existence, as
thinking beings, may run parallel with
interminable ages; and that in the revo-
lutions of eternity, we may exist in re-
gions of space immeasurably distant from
our present habitation, associate with
other orders of intelligent beings, and
pass through new scenes and changes in
distant worlds--and when we consider
that our relation to time may be dissolv-
ed, and our conneXion with eternity COM
mcnced, within the space of few months
or wears, or even before the sun shall
have described another circuit around
the earth; no inquiry can appear so mo-
mentous and interesting, as that which
leads to the determination of our future
and eternal destiny, and ofthose realities
which await us beyond the tomb. TO
remain insensible to the importance OF
snch an inquiry, and unaffected at the
prospect of the result to which 1t may
lead, while we are fcelinGly alive to all
the paltry concerns and little ills OF life
would argue the most unaccountable stu
pidity, Inconsistency and inlatuation.
/ The man whose heart pants after sub
stantial knowledge and felicity, whose al
fections centre in the author of his exis-
tence, and who delights to contemplate
his character and perfections, will enter
with pleasure on every investigation
which has a tendency to throw light on
the eceno of his future destination. lie
will weigh with impartiality, every con-
sideration, and will seize, with delight up,
on every argument by which Il full con-
| victon of his immortal destiny may be
indelibly rivcttcd upon his mind: and he
! will endeavor to cheer his soul amidst the
sorrows of mortality, with the considcra,
ton, that "whcn the earthly house of hi,
! tabernacle is dissolved, he has building
! of God, house not made with hands, c.
ternal in the heavens.
\ Among many excellent remarks il
II NJ Dlco,,,, l,to sorp,on on Hnnison