The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-05-28
WOODSTOCK VERMONT, FRIDAY MORNING. MAY %, 1S4l

dead and all Of the enemy destroyed. what use to
be at the expense of keeping standing army p
There would be nothing for them to do, nobody
for them to fight and the whole host in one general
order would be disbanded and turned out of pay
and ratons, from the commander-in-c chief, the
Pope, down TO the deacons or corporals. | sup
pose, Elder, your rank in that grand army at pres
emit, is something like captain; perhaps when You
get into the new Fortress or meeting house, you'll
be Major by brevet
Elder II. Colonel, must say this don't seem
profitable conversations let us leave temporal things
and talk about hereafter
Col. A. Very WELL Elder, am rs willing to
talk about things which neither of us know any
thing about, as any other matters if it will suit
better.
Elder r, Col. Allen, do you believe in the ex-
istence of the soul in a future state
COL A. Yes, | wish to believe it; it is very
unpleasant for man who has done some service
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 it.
Elder r., What idea have you of Heaven, and
the course best calculated to realise the hope Of at
last arriving and passing the gate into it
Col n. Why, as to that, I'll tell you, Elder
In the first place, in my opinion, Heaven is, as rep
resented, place Of great felicity and peace, and
that none but brave, honest, benevolent patriots 60
there. have no idea that towards, hypocrites or
tories are suffered to enter the gate at ALL or even
to look over tho wall What will become of these
creatures the Lord only knows; perhaps there is a
spiritual Halifax in the next world, where they
send them, as the British did the tories from Bos-
ton.
Elder r. Have you an idea that the creature
il 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 doings here,
and if they find we are brave, generous, clever fell
lows, they enter our names upon the muster roll of
the grand army above. ! have no idea, however,
that we shall all have the station assigned u.s.
Our notions and actions here about matters and
things, must have some influence upon our desines
hereafter.
Elder r. II 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 dis
position you fancy they make of u.s.
Col. A. Well, Elder, III try to give you fancy
sketch in my own way. In the first place, then,
there is the Rev. Mr. b. Of the Congregational
u, u.
selfand myself, take for an example of the whole,
and for breyity sake, will take the Orthodox and
Methodist and send them GU. of the world together
at Heavens gate, nobody knows how, and rap.-
voice from within cries, " Who's there !" The
two Christian ministers, after little dispute who
should have precedence, agree that the Presbytc-
rian should 90 ahead and he answers, "The Rev
Mr. b., pastor Of the Congregation church in -,
awaits your pleasure" "I.ook and see if you
can find his NAME" is heard. Answer" Yes,
the charge agains, him for great hypocrisy and sell
ishncss is balanced by long painful fever and re-
pentance before he died." " Let him enter" The
impatient Methodist next excains, elder c. Of
the Methodist Episcopal church of -, wishes
entrance" "Look and see if you can find his
name" eyes, it is here, the long account against
him for nameless improprieties while on the cir
cults, is balanced by mairmony, and sincere re-
pcntance soon after he was located. Let him
also enter, and direct both where to CO." Now
I'll suppose you march up next and rap. "Who
comes there" "Elder Aminidab Robinson, pas
tor of the Especial Cavinist Baptist church of
Christ in-.--." A voice from within is heard,
90 See if his name is there" eyes, it is here,
and it j. written also that his meeting house was
principally built about ten years ago, by old Ethan
Allen, the American patriot, whom they mprop-
erlv call IN infdel. elOs left numerous church
and large es,ate.' "Open the gate and let him
enter" You will walk in and there behold in
glory the representative of the majesty of Heaven
seated in golden chair, little back of table,
upon which are numerous large folio books with
leaves Of gold and silver; and in front of the table,
the first book-keepcr, or recorder of the deeds of
those who come from one Of his small planets, by
Us called Earth Thus standing and looking, you
will next see the Deputy Grand Master rise and
speak as follows: "Ariel take down that key and
conduct Elder Aminidab Robinson to his people
they are enclosed ut the northwest corner and
locked up together for as they held to close COM
munion on Earth 80 they must in Heaven; if they
were honest there, they will be happy here. After
you let the Elder in among his faith, lock the door
and bring the key" Thus you'll get among your
Calvin Baptist BRETHREN Elder, and be likely to
main with them in close communion through all
eternity for all can see.
The good Elder not quite ikeing the final dspo-
s,ion which the old hero had made of him and the
people of his faith, with some spirit, and little
christian pugnacity. proceeded,
Elder r. Well, Colonel Allen, you have de-
scrbed the final disposition of three professors of
religion and ministers of the gospel; will you now
inform me how 'you expect TO get to Heaven, not
being professor of religion, or belonging 10 any
Christian society on earth
Col. "A. Yes, tina: can do very quick. When
my body and soul settle up and dissolve their tenn
poral partnership, the soul leaving its former
partner to descend TO its parent earth, will start
upon its own hook 10 ascend home from whence it
came. My soul will carry no church certificates
or commissions, any more than had when took
I've. Perhaps may have the company Of some
one or more Of the brave fellows who were there
with me. Not minister or deacon will accom-
pany me; they will strive to accompany my wife.
When and my old comrade arrive at the gate,
shall rap stoutly,-for believe my right to enter
as good the best of you, and better than most OF
you.-A voice from within will say, "Who's
there'" Perhaps my old fellow soldier, wishing
to add the Colonel, may quickly reply, "Colonel
Ethan Allen, of Colchester, Vermont" shall
then say TO him, away with your nonsense and
scream out as loud as did to De Ia Place" No
it is old Ethan Allen that took Tye, Grown Point,
and the armed vessel upon the lake, without any
orders but yours, in one day." A voice will be
heard Gom within, saying, "Ah, yes, you need
not look into the books. for the brave Allen has
credit upon every page of them: open the gate to