The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-30
Dr.. Doddridge's Dream.

| DIR. Doddridge was on terms of very in
innate friendship with DR.. Samuel Clark,
and in religious conversation they spent
many happy hours together. Among other
matters very favorite topic was the'inter-
mediate state of the soul and the probability
that at the instant Of dissolution it was not
introduced into the presence of the heavenly
hosts and the splendors around the throne
of God. One evening, after conversation
of this nature, DR.. Doddridge retired to rest
with his mind full Of the subject discussed,
:" and in the visions of the night" his ideas
were shaped into the following beautiful
form: He dreamed that be was at the house
of friend, when be was suddenly taken
dangerously i'll. BY degrees he seemed to
grow worse, and at last to expire. In an
instant he was sensible that he exchanged
the prison-house and sufferings of mortality
for state of liberty and happiness. En-
bodied in splendid aerial form, he seemed
to float in region of pure light Beneath
him lay the earth, but not glittering city
or village, the forest or the sea was visible
There was naught to be seen below save the
melancholy group of his friends weeping
around his lifeless remains.
Himself thrilled with delight, he was sur
prised at their tears, and attempted to In
form them of his happy change, but by mys-
terious power utterance was denied, and as
he anxiously leaned over the mourning circle,
gazing fondly upon them, and struggling to
speak, he rose silently upon the sir, their
forms became more and more indistincs and
gradually melted away from Lis sight. Re
posing upon golden clouds, he found himself
swiftly mounting the skies, with venerable
! irrzuIe al his syto geoiius, I.s l4ystsfieus
movements, and In whose countensnce he
remarked the lineaments Of youth and age
we're blended together with an intimate har-
mony and majestic sweetness. They passed
through vast region Of empty space, until
at length the battlements Of glorious edi-
fee shore 10 the distance; and as its form
rose brilliant and distinct among the far-of
shadows that fitted athwart their path, the
guide informed him that the palace he beheld
was for the present to be the mansion of rest
Gazing upon its splendor, he replied that
while on earth he had often heard that the
eye had not seen, nor had the ear heard, nor
could it-enter into the heart of man to con-
ceive the things which God had prepared for
those that love him; but, notwithstanding the
building to which they we're then rapidly ap-
preaching was superior to anything which
he had actually before seen, yet its grandeur
had not exceeded the conceptions he had
formed. The guide introduced him into
spacious apartment, at the extremity of which
stood table covered with snow-white cloth,
a golden cup and cluster of grapes, and
then said he must remain, for he would re-
ceive in short time visit from the Lord
of the mansion, and that during the interval
before his arrival the apartment would fur
nish him sufficient entertainment and instruc-
ton. The guide vanished, and he was left
alone. He began to examine the decora-
tions of the room, and observed that the
walls were adorned with number of pic
lures. Upon nearer inspection he found to
his astonishment that they formed complete
biography of his own life. Here he saw
upon the canvas that angels, though unseen,
had ever been his familiar attendants, and,
sent by God, they had sometimes preserved
him from immediate peril lie beheld him
self frat represented as an infant just expir-
ing, when his life was prolonged by an angel
gently breathing in his nostrils
Most of the occurrences here delineated
were perfectly familiar to his recollection,
and unfoded many things which he never be-
fore understood, and which had p0rplexod
him with many doubts ana much, nnessiness.
Among others, be vas particularly struck
with picture in which he was represented
as falling from horse, when death would
have been inevitable had not an angel re-
ceved him in his arms and broken the force
Of his descent. The merciful interpretations
of God filled him With joy and gratitude,
and his heart overhowec with love as he sur
veyed in them all the exhibition of goodness
and mercy far beyond all that he had i'm
agined. Suddenly his attention was arrested
BY rap at the door. The Lord of the man
sion had arrived-the door opened and he
entered. So powerful and so overwhelming,
and withal of such singular beauty, was his
appearance that be sank down at his feet,
completely overcome by his majestic pres
ence His Lord gently raised hin from the
ground, and, taking his hand, led him for
ward to the table. He pressed with his fin
gers the juice CT the grapes into the golden
cup, and, afser having himself drank, pre-
Sented it to him, saying: "This is the new
wine in my Fathers kingdom" No sooner
had be partaken than all uneasy sensations
vanished; perfect love had now cast out fear,
and he conversed with his Saviour as an inti-
mate friend. Like the silver ripping of the
summer sea, he heard fall from his lips the
grateful appreciation: "Thy labors are over,
thy work is approved rich and glorious is
the reward" Thrilled with an unspeakable
bliss, that glided over his spirit and sank
into the very depths of his soul, he suddenly
saw glorie8 upon gories bursting upon his
view. The doctor awOke. Tears of rapture