The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-28

destroyed. II this be true, how can one be con-
WINGED that this thinking, aspiring, higher
nature shall cease to exist? Cicero, In one OF
his orations, said that it was pleasing 10 believe
in the immortality of the soul, but that If he
was in error 1t was a consolation to think that
those philosophers who had taught contra were
already, according to their theory, too extinct TO
laugh at his mistake.
The mind and soul of the apostle Paul were
full of the thought of immortality Well might
he say-"We have no continuing city, but We
seek one to come"
z Is there any assurance or evidence of future
existence?
The universal belief in the doctrine among
almost all nations, and in every period Of time,
is strong presumptive evidence.
Dr.. Dick says that this was believed in by the
ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the Ph9nicians,
the Celts, the Druids, the Assyrians; by the
wisest among the Greeks and Romans, and
almost every nation whose records have reached
our times
Plato, Socrates and Cicero not only believed
In, but discoursed fiuently on the future state.
There Is scarcely nation or tribe at present,
however barbarous or ignorant, but have some
thought of life beyond the grave. Even the
isolated people in the islands of the sea enter
tain such . belief Truly many OF their ideas
ana opinions seem vague and even absurd to US.
For instance, the sovereign Of the Dahomynot
sends messages to his ancestors OF the happen
ing OF any great event, and the method adopted
10 to have beheaded an eye witness!
We find this belief in the writings of the an
Gent poets, and this is strong evidence, for what
Is poetry but reflex of the manners, thoughts
and customs of the people?
This universal belief in future life may be
traced from tradition, or from divine revela-
ton, or it may be the deduction OF human
reason-from whatever source. we feel we have
an argument which claims our attention and
0lOnld "A I'D wi
The second presumptive evidence is found in
the desires and possibilities OF the human mind
The inquiring mind demands more. The
patriarchs desired "better country which is
an heavenly" The desires of tine human breast
cannot be limited. 1t is universal among all
classes-the prince, the pauper, statesman.
philosopher, business man in the city or the
peasant, educated or illiterate, one and all are
animated with desires of happiness which no
present enjoyment can crafty, and which no
object within the limits of time can fully
satfate"
Discovery, invention, conquest or intellectual
achievements answer not. Regardless OF the
past and unsatisfied with the present, the soul
OF man feasts itself on the hope of achieve
ments and enjoyments never yet possessed.
Hope springs eternal in the human breast,
Man never is but always to be blest;
The soul uneasy and confined from home,
Rests and expatiates in life to come.
All admit mans superiority mentally. Mans
body natures and then decays. Not so the
mind Its failure Is due to physica, effects.
The mental faculties remain the same until i'm
paired by physical defects. In the few years
allotted to man the human mind cannot grasp
the a, b, of knowledge. Cicero said: "When
l behold such . number of arts and sciences
and such a multitude of discoveries thence
arising, believe and am firmly persuaded that
q nature which contains SO many things with
in itself cannot be mortal"
If this had weight then, how much stronger
should it be in these days of rapid transit, " hen
something new, wonderful and even marvellous
ID brought before the world constantly for its
admiration and applause.
We conclude that it is reasonable to believe
that the God who created man with such cap
abilities and has made this universe for rational
creatures will continue in existence such beings
how intelligent creatures will live and continue
to solve problems and investigate the innumer-
able worlds which float in boundless space.
Other proofs might be offered To the be-
lever Divine revelation il conclusive The
deductions of sound reason harmonic with
revelation.
This is natural as the author of the reasoning
faculties and of revelations ia one and the same.
While this universal belief, however peculiar
or crude, existed in all time, yet never in as
happy a state as when Christ came and shed
new light upon the future state and prescribed
the conditions OF a happy and blessed immor-
tality. Faith in Gods word gives man the
brightest and best assurance that can be pos
sessed.
Paul strikes the keynote when he says: "He
that cometh to God must believe that He Is and
that He il a rerdrder OF all who diligently seek
Him.