Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-10
,rince Of darkness should remain undes-

troyed.!
Col A. Most certainly, Elder, if the Devil
was dead and all Of the enemy destroyed, what
use to be at the expense of keeping standing
army There would be nothing for them to
do, nobody for them to fight, and the whole host
in one general order would be dsbanded and
turned out of pay and fatons, from the COM
mander-in-chef the Pope, down TO the deacons
or corporals | suppose, Elder, your rank in
that grand army at present, is something like
captain, perhaps when you get into the new for
tress, or meeting house, you'll be Major by bre-
vet.
Elder X. Colonel, I must say this don't
seem profitable conversation, let us leave tenn
poral things, and talk about all hereafter.
COL A. Very well, Elder, am as willing to
talk about things which neither of us know any
thing about, as any other matters, if it will suit
you better
Elder X. Col. Allen, do you believe in the
existence of the soul in future state
Col. A. Yes, | wish to believe it; it is very
unpleasant for man who has done some SER
vice for his country, and good to his fellow men
to be obliged to 60 into an everlasting sleep, and
thereby be deprived of the consciousness of it.
Elder X. What idea have you of Heaven,
and the course best calculated to strengthen the
hope of at last passing the gate into it!
In the first place, in my opinion, Heaven is as
represented, place of great felicity and peace,
and that none but brave, honest, benevolent
patriots 90 there. | have no idea that towards,
hypocrtes or tories are suffered to enter the
gate at all, or even to look over the wall. What
will become of these creatures the Lord knows,
perhaps there is a spiritual Halifax in the next
world where they send them as the British did
the tories from Boston.
Elder X. Have you an idea that the crea-
ture is accountable for the deeds done in the
body, Colonel
COL A. Yes, Elder, and out of it too
They, no doubt keep true account OF our do
ings here, and if they find we are brave gener-
Gus, clever fellows, they enter our names on the
muster roll of the esand army above. Il have
no idea however, that we shall all have the
same station assigned us. Our notions and ac-
| tons here, about matters and things must have
some influence upon our destnes hereafter.
Elder T.. 1t does seem to me that you are
original in every thing, Colonel. | wish you
would give me more particularly your views of
heaven, our arrival at its gate, reception, and
the final disposition you fancy they make of us.
Col. A. Well Elder, I'll try to give you a
fancy sketch in my own way. In the first place
them there is the Rev. Mr.. b. of the Congre-
gatonal church, Elder c. of the Methodist
| CnnTCU, anu yOuTSeu sci, ldhc lOT dll
example of the whole, and for brevty sake, will
take the Orthodox and Methodist and send them
out of the world together. They arrive together
at Heavens gate nobody knows how, and rap.
A voice from within cries "who is there - The
two Christian ministers, after little dispute
who should have precedence, agree that the
| PRESBYTERIAN should 90 ahead, and he answers
"thc Rev. Mr.. b. Pastor of the Congregational
church in--awalts your pleasure" "Look
and see if you can find his namc," is heard
Answer-"ycs the charges against him for great
hypocrisy and sellishness is balanced by long
painful fever and repentance before he died.
"Lct him enter."-Thc inpatient Methodist next
exclaims-"Elder c. of the Methodist Episcopal
| church of-wlshes entrance" "Look ant
see if you can find his name!' ayes it is here
the long account against him for nameless i'm
propreties while on the circuits is balanced by
mltrmony, and sincere repentance soon alter he
was located" "Lct hun also enter and drec
both where to CO." Now I'll suppose you marcl
up next and rap. "Who comes there - lol
answer-"Elder Amnidab Robinson, Pastor o
Especial Calvin Baptist church OF Christ i'll
A voice from within "see if his name is there.
"Ies it is here, and it is written also that his
meeting house was principally built about tel
years ago. by old Ethan Allen, the American
patriot, whom they improperly called infidel
He has left numerous church and large es
tate" "npnn the gate ana let nIin enter. Iou
will walk in and there behold in glory, the repre-
sentative of the ma esty of Heaven, seated in ;
golden chair, little back of a table, upon which
are numerous large folio books with leaves o
gold and silver, and in front of the first bool
keeper, or recorder of the deeds of those wht
E come from one of his small planets, by us callet
Earth. Thus standing and looking, you vii
next see the Deputy Grand Master rise ant
lspeak as follows, ".Ariel, take down that key
and conduct Elder Aminidab Robinson to hi
! people, they are enclosed at the north-wes
corner and locked up together, for as they he'll
to close communion on Earth so they must il
Heaven, ifthey were honest there, they will b,
happy here. After you let the Elder in anon!
his faith, lock tie door and bring the key" Thus
you'll get among your Calvin Brethren, Elder
and be likely to remain with them in close com
. munion through all eternity for all can see.
The good Elder not quite liking the final dis
position which the old hero had made of hin
f and the people of his faith, with some spirit
, and little Christian pugnacity, proceeded
Elder r. We'll, COL Allen, you have de-
scribed the final disposition of three professor
of religion and ministers of the gospel; vii
you now inform me how you expect to get t
r Heaven, not being professor of religion, o
: belonging to any christian society on earth
Coi A. Yes, that can do very quick; whel
my body and soul settle up and dissolve thei
temporal c9partnership, the soul leaving its for
mer partner, to descend to its parent earth, vii
start upon its own hook to ascend home iron
whence it came. My soul will carry no churcl
n certificates or commissions, any more than
had when took Tye; perhaps may have tn
company of some one or more of the brave fel
:. lows who were there with me not a minste
o or a deacon will accompany me; they will
. strive to accompany my wife when and m
old comrade arrive at the gate, shall rap stout
# y, (lor shall believe my right to enter as goo
q as the best of you, and better than most of you.
i, A voice from within will say, "who is there
o Perhaps my old fellow soldier, wishing to ali
. the Colonel may quickly reply, Sol. Etha
# Allen of Colchester, Vermont" | shall the
r say to him, away with your nonsense, an
). scream out as loud as | did to De la Place
If "No! it is old Ethan Allen that took Tyt
t Crown Point, and the only armed vessel upo
@ the lake, with no orders but yours, in one day
A voice will be heard from within saying, A
d yes, you need not look into the books, for tn
k brave Allen has credit upon every page OF them
= open the gate to him and all his comrades, fc
+ he never would be seen in bad company" $