Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-07-01
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II has sometimes been thought that
science is u%ufriendly to piety, but, on
the contrary, it deepen, and enlarges it
by expanding our minds so as to learn
more of the extended influence Of the
Divine laws by which everything is gov
erued. A ray of light coming from tue
sun shows that the laws govern there
govern here. And so We go on from
star to star, till those furthest on 10
space all prove the universally OF thas
order and those laws which exhibit the
reign Of the Father Of Light. Inc
knowledge Of law which science iur-
nishes reflects back new meaning into
old Scriptures. When. tor instance,
we read, as we do in the best OF all
books, Of "the whole family in heaven
sad earth" what an honor it gives to
the family ties of earth, aud what an
idea of their relation to other states OF
being, after death, perhaps in distant
worlds-the same laws governing there
as here! So that the hallowed family
life of earth becomes the prelude, the
preparation amp indication of the family
life in heaven.
What are the laws Of such q life here,
as they daily aud naturally develop
themselves? A presiding affection, mu-
tual care and goodwill, a studied har-
mony. are some Of these. This example
of family life has realized all these laws
on earth with a perfection that, but for
the inroads of death, would leave no
thing to be developed or conceived be-
You'd it for happiness, or as an elevating,
refining, improving power. It is a con-
slant source Of new instruction, wisdom
and deligh. for all that are connected
| with it.
It's chief imperfection is, that here it
cannot DO perpetual. Death mocks at
it, and it is daily suudered just as the
gardener in the nursery sunders the
roots of the plants aud divides them
out. But the idea Of a family remains,
,ohugh no n family last forever. And
each n looks back to it as the home
of childhood and the great scene Of
preparation for life. It prepares each
for all that is to happen-prepares for
the world, prepares for the Church, and
prepares for the reunion Of the whole
family in one hereafter.
When a young person dies, highly ed
ucated, refined, cared for, many say,
Alas, what waste! All has come to
nothiugl All that wealth Of affection
aud care has been expended to form a
character, and in n short hour death
has snatched it all away. Now; so far
rs this thought might teach every pa.
rent to study more closely the laws Of
health, as well as those Of Intellectual
aud moral culture, such thoughts ought
hardly to be checked. But character
is immortal. 1t survives ever here on
earth in the bosom Of friends, in tho eI.
ample repeated again and again, so tina,
il never die, or loses its influence, but
but in proportion as it is rare and
beautiful, and earth prepared to receive
it and perpstuate, it reproduces itself.
But beyond all this, everything that
was useful in developing that character
was preparing it for the family above.
And i, is all part Of the same family
still which receives it, as that from
which it is received. Here il RAJ pre-
pared, and nc particle of the labor is
lost. There is no waste, no want o!
economy in the instincts Of true and
natural affection. No work is lost by
death that is rightly and wisely expend.
ed 10 life.
And this idea Of tho true family life
often forms the best guide to our feel
ings and knowledge as an indication Of
fitness for the family above. Perhaps
this thought it was that led the ancient
poet to sing, "whom the gods love die
young" But certainly we may be as
sured that, with the same laws extend
ing, the same Father ~reiguing, n fam
lily in heaven and earth existing, the
same nurture which forms characters
we should all feel glad to welcome and
encourage as parents to our family life
here below, is the best Of all indications
Of fitness for life in the family above.