Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-21
THE MOMENT AFTER DEA TIL.

at is a serious thing to die" To leave
this world never to return, to part forever with
all the earth to exchange time for eternity, and
the probationary opportunities Of the present for
the settled and unchanging destiny Of the
amending future, "to pass from the warm pre-.
cincts of life, to the cold chambers of the
grave, is APPALLING even in thought, to human
nature" When the thought is permitted to
stand clearly before the mind, it strikes the
living with solemnity and awe. But the dying
man-what an amazing change does he expert.
ence in that moment, when the soul is unclothed
from its mortal tabernacle, and looks abroad to
that mighty journey upon which it has been
compelled to enter! Just now he was here
Time and opportunity were his. Friends were
around him. The light Of the sun was in his
eyes. But the moment after death finds him
gone. Time and opportunity are his no more.
No more can he look upon his friends below,
and exchange with them the sweet charities of
hfe' engage in its business, or they administer
to his wants, or soothe his spirits. The light
OF the sun has faded away from his eyes for.
ever; and other scenes have burst upon his
view His first step is taken upon that new
and untried way, whose mysteries are hidden
from every living eye, and whose length is the
duration Of amending periods; and the days he
travels onward in his course, are measured BY
the revolutions of ages. He looks for the frs
time upon the realities of the world, which, t
living men, is to come. The moment afte
death! What wonderous secrets will it dis
close! TO what amazing realities will it intro
duce the soul! What unspeakable interests
will it decide ! To what glories or fearful des.
tiny will it carry the undying spirit! How
then will the great God appear! What fresh
disclosures Of his Being, and majesty, and pow.
er, and truth, and justice, will he make! What
displays of his glory, unseen by mortal men,
will then be exhibited! How will Christ ap.
pear! What views of the way of salvation by
the Saviour's blood, will then be had What
views of the work of the Holy Spirit in here
striving with sinners to bring them to repen.
lance and to Christ; and in renewing the
souls of Gods people! How then will the sin
Of negectng the Gospel and religion, and
grieving the Holy Spirit appear! These ques.
tons we cannot answer now, but we shall full.
ly know them all the moment after DEATH
They are questions to be pondered no,c-to be
experienced then. Reader, are you prepared tc
experience with safety the wonders and events
Of the moment after death! If 10 witness the
death Of others; if to stand by in that sac
hour when they give up the ghost and arc
gone, strike awe into the hearts of the living
what must be the reality to the soul which ha,
just passed the amazing and mysterious change
The soul of him who has truly repented of sir
and believed with the heart unto Righteousness,
whatever may be the peculiar nature of it.
sensations the moment after death, is unques
tonably safe and happy. But who shall tel
the sensation of him who dies unprepared t.
meet his God, when in a moment he find
himself in the world of spirits not hearing o
eternity, but in it Not asking, Is there God
but trembling in his awful presence. Perhap
while living he despsed the Saviour, and stoo
firm against the thought of eternity. Perhap
he trumphed over the warnings of the Bible
and remained unmoved at death. But wher,
is he and what his confidence the momen
after death! God and eternity and his SOUL
can tell.