The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-07
From fAs Great Toih Jovr~a!.
PASSED ON.
"prArH Is SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.

From M Grs0f foih Jotrra1'
PASSED ON.
"prATH Is SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY"
Our readers have perhaps, noticed that
within the las, few weeks, instead Of find
Ing the heading Of :" Deaths" in the place
where they have for so long time been
accustomed 10 sec il, they have found The
words which are prslixed as the subject Of
article. And in making such an innovation
upon ancient custom, II seems proper that
we should consider tho reasons for the
change.
The true meaning Of the word dead is,
destitute OF lie. and the meaning Of death
is cessation OF life. Have, then, The de-
parted ceased 10 live! If not, the term is
not proper one 10 use as expressive oil
their state or condition. The synonymous
term. are such us decease, expiration, ier-
mination, close Of, extinction OF life. Are
these expressive Of their condition! Notify
any means. Both Ieason and revelation
teach Us that The beloved still live amid
fairer scenes than were known unto them
upon earth. A higher life then ], hath ever
entered into the heart Of man 10 conceive, is
now theirs. Why then should we call them
dead' Rather say that they have commenc-
ed 10 live.
The gloom which shadows the death. bed
is the result Of false ideas OF that great
change. There has been, and still Is a
doub, in the great heart Of mankind, rs 10
the existence Of the soul hereafter, and
atheism is to-day stronger than ever before
The grea, mass, particularly Of tho young,
are to-day seriously in doubt as 10 the real.
ties OF future state Of existence. II is a
state Of feeling not willingly allowed TO en-.
ter into their hearts, but steals in spite Of
them; for every man loves and yeans 10
believe in the Immortality the soul. They
see the dying fade away from the earth ;
they perceive the cessation Of breath the
eyes which have for 80 long a time been a
ligh, to their path, beam love on them no
more the heart which once beat so iondly
for them, Is now as regardless Of their sor-
rows and joys as are the blocks and stones,
and the lips which once delighted to give
u,terance 10 words oi kindness and Of love,
now refuse 10 heed the most earnest en-.
treaties Of the stricken mourner 10 assure
him that the object Of his affection still lives
and loves. He has seen nothing take IL
departure from The body; he has seen
nothing disinc, from il. What, then, shall
convince him ,ha, there is a soul which still
livesi five refer 10 nature, she can only
prove !, by analogy, which, indeed, is nc
proof a, all, II he turns TO tho Bible, he
can only learn wha, has been done, and the
correctness Of the record Of those things the
most Of the young are led 10 doubt; they
canno, make them living realities 10 them
selves, so far has the light Of knowledge
and reason dispelled the ignorance Of faith
And thus, the young people OF New Eng
land are to-day, as body, in doubt not
only as 10 The correctness Of the Bible, but
even Of their own Immortality; and their
souls are calling in sorowful earnesincss
for The evidence which shall make future
life with them matter oicertaiaty. These
we say, are a part Of those ideas which
have veiled the tomb with 4 darkness dense
and deep. The great mass Of mankind dc
not feel certain that those who have passed
away from earth are not really dead.
Il becomes the duty then, ofsuch as have
the evidence to render tho fact OF immortali'
ty certain 10 their own minds, 10 speak o
those who have passed before us, no, as
dead, but as living and loving still. a" "more
than ever oun.n Il is their duty 10 leave
the iombs and the doleful sounds which .
vitialed imagination hears issuing there
from, and raise our fearful eyes 10 gaze
upon the fairer scenes beyond; and by i'm
parting 10 ihoss still in doubt the same evil
dences which have lihed our souls from the
"sloush Of despOnd," endeavor unto theft
amishing spirits 10 span the dark portals o.
the tomb with the rainbow Of eternal life,
and thus dispel the darkness Of douS, which
at presen, vsils il. rr
II appears singular 10 Us that Christian,
should ever have adopted this term ia re-
laliou 10 the condition Of the departed. Js
sus declared 10 the dying ihieG "To-da,
shalt thou be with mo in paradise" Tb,
thief then was surely no, dead, but advances
ioa higher stale Of existence, and In no In
stance did Christ neglect 10 rebuks bis die
ciples and all about him, for speaking o