Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-12-03


is invested with emblems of eternity,
mysterious in their character, and difficult
to 5e comprehended, but TO acquire
knowledge Of their reality, The Christian
,ranscends the confines of time, and win
an eve of faith. looks through the dark
and dismal future and beholdS them untol-
ded in the heavenly mansions. lie stands
forth in bold relief to the gaze OF the
world and shows. by his daily walk and
conversation that he is pilgrim "bound
for the land Of bright spirits above
TO obtain true knowledge, and obey
the will OF God fully revealed to man by
the author Of salvation, is the controlling
purpose of the Christian. lie la6oTs and
tolls with unremuIing energy 10 become
assimialed 10 that Being who gave HIM
existence and placed him upon the earth
for high and noble purposes. lie is well
aware that activity is the very essence OF
christianity which brings joy, peace and
Happiness to his soul. A living faith IN
Christ is the groundwork of the Chns-
tian's activity, through It's agency lie
hopes to come unto God where he shall
ever rejoice in the purest light and the
happiest immoralIly. Being sure that
he is striving for an imperishable crown,
and reposng mistaken confidence IN the
promises of the gospel. he Gearlessly COM
mits the whole Of his pilgrimage to a
Ilal,hfulness which he knows To- be uniall-
ing. Uhen from the shore Of time he
hrip hu
stormy passage to eternity when across
the dreary wilderness of this world he can
behold the day-stsr Of immortality, and be
cheered bv lis beams ; then is he able TO
endure all the pain and mistortunes which
may befall him in this life, and possess
his soul in hope and patience.
Immortality is the glory of the Chus-
lian. Take it away, and he sinks into
Iiusignifcance. His nature is debased by
the thought that death terminates his eX-
Iistence. He shudders al such degrading
conception, and agreeably TO the dictates
of reason and truth, he cherishes the vas'
idea Of eternity and never ending happi-
mess. Death cannot chain him TO evcras-
ring forgetfuIness. The hope and prom
Use of his resurrection is founded upon the
resurrection of Christ. This presents him
with far more satisfactory and subslan-
Iial argument for the Immortality of the
soul than any other that can be produced
The same efficient agency which raised
Jesus from The dead, shall also raise the
corruption Of the Christians body 10
comelier form and adorn it with all the
ornaments and powers Of an immortal lie.
This is the foundation of the Christians
Hope. Danish from his mind the assn-
rance Of mans future existence, and the
hope of blessed immortality, religion
becomes void, life dream, and his last
stage upon earth the scene of horror and
despair. The hope of eternal happiness
enables the Christian 10 look upon death
asl scene Of triumph and messenger OF
.joIv. His conception Of everlasting peace
" i'll sustain him in bis dying agonles, and
i'll him with Joy unspeakable aud full of
Dry. Despair may be depicted on every
untenance, and relatives be weeping a
und his diving bed, yet the hope OF
ppy, a never-ending existence enables
n 10 exclaim: 80 death where is thy
no % grave where is thy victory
Then the barriers that separated him
IN The elores Of heaven are demolsh'
the way to eternal happiness lies IN
trucled before him light. pure and
Styling light, presents the highest evi'
ce and brilliancy to the doctrine OF
lortsily. What else bu, the hope OF
.t.fsding glory beyond the confines OF
tomb can supper, the soul about 10
ch into eternity Echo answers
thing Yea, God, Christ, the Bible,
pSon, aL Simultaneously answer No.
)ea,h has no terrors for the Christian.
grave is to him the haven Of Hope
her he is steering on the blllowy
of life, where he will leave his bo-
combrous clay, and Where beyond
unds he will land his soul in lis ma
)untrv on the shore OF immortality.
iIre Christian fears neither death nor
Judgment. Having lived rlghteously upon
earth, he is eager TO embrace the moment
" hen he shall join the angelic host III
heaven to render eternal praises unto the
author OF his salvation.
The dsy of his death is pFognosilc OF
mere felicity than the day oil his birth.
II is The day when as a weary laborer he
returns to his home TO enjoy the comforts
Of repose when as traveller through
vas, desert he escapes the horrors OF the
Simoom and arrives safely at the Caravan
sary when as long-enduring patient he
throws off the last feelings Of his llnger'