Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-11-22
Mr. Doddridge's Dream.


Mr. Doddridge's Dream.
Mr.. Doddridge had been spending the
evening with his friend, Dr. Watts. Their
conversation had been concerning the fu-
ture existence Of the soul. Long and earn
estly they pursued the theme, and both
came to the conclusion that it could not be
that they were to sing through ali etcrni-
ty that each soul must necessarily be an
individual, and have its appropriate EN-,
poyment for thought and affection. AS
Doddridge walked home, his mind brooded
over these ideas, and took little cognizance
OF outward matters. In this state he laid
his head upon the pillow, and fell asleep.
He dreamed that he was dying. He saw
his weeping friends round his bed, and he
wanted to speak to them, but could not.
Presently there came a nightmare sensation.
His soul was about to leave his body; but
how would it get out! More and more
anxiousl y rose the query, how could it get
out! This uneasy state passed away, and
he found that the soul lad left his body.
He himself stood beside the bed, looking
at his own corpse, as if it were an old gar
ment laid aside as useless His friends
wept around the mortal covering but could
not see hja1. While he was rejecting up
on this, he passed out of the room, he knew
not how, but presently found himself float
ing over London, as if pillowed on cloud,
born by gentle breezcs. Far below him,
the busy multitude were hurryiug hither
and thither, like rats and mice scalnpering
for crumbs. 'Ah,' thought the emancipa-
ted spirit, how worse than foolish appears
this foolish scramble. For what do they
toll, and what do they obtain?'
London passed away beneath him, and
he found himself floating over green fields
and blooming gardens. How is it that |
am borne through the air?' thought he
He looked and saw large purple wing,
and then he knew that he was carried by
an angel. 'Whitner are we going? said
he. TO Heaven" was the reply. He
asked no more questions, but remained in
delicious quietude, as if they Aoated on a
strain of music. At length they paused
before a white marble temple Of exquisite
beauty. The angel gently placed him on
the steps. 4 thought you were taking nc
to heaven said the spirit This is heav-
en-, replied the angel. This assurcdIy
it is Of rare beauty, buc | could imagine
just such built on earth. Nevertheless,
it is Heaven, replied the angel
They entered a room just within the tenn
pie. \ table stood in the centre, on which
was golden vase, filed with sparkling
wine. Drink Of this said the angel;
for all who would know spiritual things,
must first drink ofsPiritual wine Scarce
ly had the ruby liquid wet his lips, when
the Saviour of men stood before them, smi-
ling most benignly. The spirit instantly
dropped on his knees, and bowed his head
before him. The holy hands OF the Purest
were folded over him in blessing, and his
voice said, you will see me seldom now
hereafter you will see me more frequently:
in the meantime observe a0cH the acooders Of
the temple'
The sound ceased. The spirit remained
a while in silence. When he raised his
head, the Saviour no longer appeared. He
turned to ask the angel what this could
mean, but the angel had departed also; the
soul stood alone in its unveiled presence
Why did the Holy One tell me 70 observe
we'll the wonders of this temple, thought
he. He looked slowly round. i sudden
start Of joy and wonder. There, painted
on the walls, in most marvellous beauty,
stood the ,1hole Of his spiritual htc Ev-
cry doubt, and every clear perception /; ev-
cry conflict and every victory was there be
fore him and though forgotten for years,
he knew them at a glance Even thus
had sunbeam pierced the darkest cloud,
and thrown a rainbow bridge from the fl
mite to the infinite. Thus had he slept
peacefully in green valleys, and by the side
of running brooks and such had been his
visions from the mountain tops He knew
them all. They had been always painted !
within the chambers cf his soul; but now,
for the first time, was the veil removed
To those who think on spiritual things,
this remarkable dream is too deeply and
beautifully significant ever to be forgotten.
In the words of Whittier:
We shape ourselves with Joy and feal
OF which the coming life is made
And fill our futures atmos phere
With sunshine o. with shade
Still shall the soul around it call
The shadows which It gathered here,
And. painted the eternal wall,
The past shall Te-appear.
----~-Ss-s- Ss-s->-
RsA- The world makes US takers, but soli-
tude makes rs thinkers.