The Portland daily press., 1871-11-20
SUNDAY SE RVICEA.
Swedenb0r
GRADUATE.


HOW SHALL WE BE EMPLOYED IN HEAVEN?
At the New Jerusalem Temple, yesterday
morning, Rev. William B. Hayden delivered a
discourse upon the important question, "How
shall we be employed in Heaven?" Quite a
large congregation was present, including
number of persons from other churches, and
the sermon was listened to with close attention
The text was takeng from St. Mathew, 4-1S.
And Jesus, walking by the sea OF Gallilee saw
two bretheren, Simon called Peter, and An
drew his brother, casting nets into the sea for
they were fishers"
The speaker commenced by saying that in
looking over the world everyone seems to be
employed. And this has been the universal
custom in all ages. IL is the great law OF our
being that we should be employed; and also
the great law of the soul. Many have suppos-
ed that the heavenly rest meant an entire ces-
sation from occupation of all kinds. But is
now beginning TO be understood in this age OF
reason, that in the future life there will be the
same useful emplyments and occupations that
now prevail upon the earth. The great law OF
life is to love our neishbor US ourself, and this
principle should be fully carried out in all the
affairs OF life. AS we are faithful in this life,
SO shall we receive our reward in higher AID
more blessed state of existence above. The
question is frequently asked as the precise ma
ture of the heavenly employment, and is fire.
qnently asked if we shall follow the same trade
or occupation in heaven as upon the earth. In
this world we are mixed beings, partly spiritu-
al and partly material, but in the heavenly
world these conditions will be changed; the
wants of our physical nature will be entirely
absent while only the wants of the higher
phases of our being will require to be munster
ed to. There will be religious and icivil affairs
there to be carried on, and the mutual relations
of citizens and communicates will there be in
force. The angels will administer the heaven
ly laws, as the civil officers now administer the
lows of this world. The angels will also be
sent to watch over the beds OF the sick and dy
ing here, and it will be ;he;r duty to conduct
them safely to their heavenly rest. The educa-
ton aud training OF the children will also be
| the duty of portion OF the heavenly society.
| And SO we might go on, did time allow, to de-
inc the other occupations of the heavenly
| world but enough has been said for our pur-
| pose. And now it only remains for US to emu
| merate some of the conditions Which are nee
| essary in order to attain to any of the specifc
| occupations of the worldto come All works
| there are good works. for they proceed from
the Lord himself, and are utterly free from sell
| fish motives or restraints. The trade or pro-
| fesson in which we are engaged upon earth
| will if we sincerely like it, become in purifi
| ed and more glorious sense our occupation in
| the world to come. When we remember the
| numberless trades and Inventions which have
| sprung into existence, even in our own brief
| memories, it is safe to assert that the occupa-
| tons of the heavenly rest will. be more varied
| and numerous than we can even now imagine.
| The doctrines of our church teach that in or
| der to attain to any of the varied occupations
of the life to come, it is only necessary to cher
| ish the divine principle of love, and to labor
earnestly. conscientiously and faithfully il
whatever calling we may he engaged in this
| life, and so shall we at last, pursue 10 higher
and more blessed state of,exstence, and in {
manner purified from all the evils and iDfirm
ties of onr present physical life, the same oc
cupation which we now follow. And in thai
heavenly rest, all the praise, honor and glory
shall be continually rendered to our blessed
Saviour, by whose divine love and mercy, xt
shall be able to enjoy at last the more blessed
life and occupations of the world to come.