Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-12-15
Entering Heaven.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

The gates of Heaven have swung open,
and another soul has entered its shining
courts said the preacher, as he stood, with
uncovered head, by the coffin of one whose
mortal history was closed.
As left the graveyard, an old man of
mild aspect, walked by my side.
Did you know Mr.. --r he asked, re-
ferring to the deceased.
AS a neighbor, but not intimately was
my reply.
Il know him very WE'LL, said one who
walked with us.
The preacher spoke of him as having en-
tered Heaven the old man quietly re-
marked.
He died calmly and in Christian hope,
putting his trust in his Redeemer' said the
other. | was with him in his last moments
aud his end was peace. II he has not gone
to Heaven, there are not many of us who can
look forward with confidence
We must enter Heaven while living upon
the EARTH said the old man, in answer to
this, speaking gravely, 'or the doors will be
forever shut against us. We must be, as to
our spirits, in the society of angels here, or
we cannot be III association with them here
after
How can we be in Heaven and upon earth
at the same time ? queried the one who had
spoken of my neighbor's peaceful end for
one is spiritual and the other natural
ITO be spiritual-minded is to be in Heaven;
and this we may be, while, as to the natural
body, we are still upon the earth. Was our
friend spiritua-minded p
The old man turned to our companion, and
awaited his answer
He did not talk much of religion as
general thing; but ho was regular church.
goer
That signifies little was replied.
He was as good as other men; better in
many things, should think-though net in
any way distinguished for piety. He was
not one of your talking professors. But
those who knew him best, valued him most.
His peaceful end assures me that he is safe
The life, not the death, gives genuine as
surance,' said the old man. with rare ox-
ceptions, all men die peacefully-the evil
and the good. As the time of departure
draws near the soul sinks into tranquil states
and thoughts of life, not death, hold ii away
from depressing influences. There is wise
as we'll as a merciful Providence in this. But
you say that those who knew him best valued
him most
Yes
Valued him for what?'
For his kindness Of heart, his benevolence
his truth and honesty. Why, Sir, that mar
would have suffered his right arm to be ia
ken off, rather than swerve from his integ
rlty.'
Was he proud of his honest fame? Die
he boast of it and compare himself with othe
menP
mo, Sir. He was not one who though
much of himself, or took merit for gooc
deed. ! think the poor will miss him, ant
weak ones sigh for the sustaining hand that il
now cold in death. All! Sir, he was goot
man. Bat l don't think he could be caleC
spiritual-minded.'
"A good man and true man, and yet no
spiritual. minded There was look of sur
prise in the old mans face. Are not good
ness and truth spiritual in their nature p
And does not their reception into any minc
determine its quaity?'
You may be right in your conclusions
said the other. | have not been in the habi
of viewing things just in your way. But
am very sure that our friend has gone t
Heaven
He has gone among those who are Xix
him, and with whom he was in conjunction a
to his spirit, while he yet lived in the world
the old man answered. He could not liv
in eternal association with the spirits OF ar
gels, the movement of whose lives was not j
harmony with his own. If he was love
of truth; if he was kind benevolent, though
full of others, and faithful in all his acts,
has passed upwards into the heavenly con
partnership of the good but if he was selfs
cruel, exacting, faithess in his life, no ira,
quill death-hour has made him fit compa
ion of angels, and he will 60 unto his own
Revelation afirms this, and reason assents
no other conclusion. tits doctrine th
sweeps away fallacious hopes, and leaves
none the dangerous, if not always fatal, e
pertinent of death-bed repentance
We paused, Tor our ways diverged.
If all were of your doctrine, said l, m
would take more heed to their ways. The
are few who do not nope to reach Heaven
last. They trust to some good that will n
involve any hard denial of self, or SOL
cheap act of faith to crowd them through t
cate thinking that if they once get in, tn
will be all right for eternity. But this id
of heavenly quality being formed in t
soul before any one can enter Heaven,
rather hard saying for most men. 1t is
extinguisher of hope for the evil.minded.'
There is no other way was answered.
I'VE must enter through the strait gate
seledenial-and it will be found very str
to most people. II we fail to do this, a
seek to climb up some other way, tho ccr
quenccs of our folly will be with us fOrev
And as the man said this, we turned Fl
him, bordering his words in our heart.