The Newtown bee., 1895-02-08

point IS so overwhelming and 50 often re- peated and emphasized that It is needless to argue here for the immortal existence of the soul.
 All I want to show is that when we go hence we may be sure that we go to 2 place, prepared place, place as defi- nite and distinct as our home on these rugged old New England hills. And when we get to this definite place, we en-5 gage in definite activities; we go some- where, and there is something for every one to do. speak now of Christmas in deed and truth, of those who cherish 8 glorious hope of blessed life beyond the skies. Here we hardly know what to do. Few men are sure that they have chosen the right occupation or profession or trade. Few men are sure that they have succeeded better in their chosen occupa- tion than they could have done in some other. Here at best it is guess and 8 en us for, as to what it is best for us to do. Here it is
 RUNNING THE TRAIN AT HAPHAZARD, steering the way through the fog, fol- lowing in the dark the sound of some buoy-bell. But when we reach the fur ther shore, we shall find definite employ ment, an employment which ever grows more enjoyable, because our capacities are suited to it and because it is congen- ial to our tastes. Here we float with the tide of fortune, we drift on the sea of chance, we catch the first floating spar; beyond the border-land we move in steady progression along way marked out by unerring Omniscience into the fullest development of all our noblest powers.
 ssYea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?" He is somewhere and where the surroundings befit his charac- ter. We are hearing much to-day about the effect of environment on character. Take two young children, born of the same parents, reared thus far in the same home, watched over by the same mother love, counseled by the same fathers care, sent to the same school, playing with the same associates, performing the same tasks, witnessing every day the same scenes. Separate these children. Place one in tenement house in some great city let it live henceforsh in bare rooms, feed on the coarsest fare, hear curses from morning till night, be denied all chances for education, and grow up among associates who are vicious and bad. Leave the other child in it's own home: let the mother continue to fondle it and the father to care forit; let it have books and games and happy hearted as- sociates; let it's eyes rest on that which bring these two children together to note the difference; after two years do the same, after five years, after 10, after 20. If the child brought up in the home of vice does not become criminal, it is a marvel; if the child brought up in the home of refinement does not become a noble man or woman, it is marvel also.
 Once in while noble soul rises above iGs surroundings, tramples them base and mean beneath the feet, makes of them stepping stones by which it rises to heights of distinction and honor, and be- comes virtuous and manly and strong in spite of what would souls more ignoble down. Once in a while Jesus,
 LIVING THE TRUEST,
 purest life attained by man, comes out of a Nazareth, place of such uncanny reputation that it's i'll character passed into proverb, aCan any good thing come out of Nazareth? p Once in while an Abraham Lincoln triumphs over the adverse circumstances of poverty, and. from being rail splitter, comes to grace a Presidential chair as no other man had done. Once in while a Hugh Miller triumphs over the adverse circumstances of lack of educational advantages and, without university equipment. comes to be the greatest geologist of his time. But these cases are the exceptions; sur roundings largely make the man.
 So it is in Heaven, so 1t is in Hell. Heaven is place where everything is suited to make it's inhabitants love, and love more and more intensely the things that are true, lovely, pure and of good report. God is the very personification of love, and so all that enter His pres ence grow themselves to be the personi. fication of love. Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, and so all, basking in the refulgence of His Illuminating char acter, grow brighter in their graccs. The angels and the hosts of the redeem ed sing round about the throne; for, where all is so bright and so fair, how can one keep from singing? All render joyful obedience to the sovereign King, for obedience is the natural Outdowing of love. Nothing that defileth could in any wise enter there, no murderer or idolater or sorcerer or whosoever loveth or maketh lie; for those surroundings would be repulsive to their characters, they would not wish to dwell in such scenes, they would rather be be with 0ur.''
 All this shows that after this life we go where our characters lead us. A worm, loving the earth, grovelling in the dirt, burrows further and further into the ground; a lark, loving the light of day, enjoying the free air, scars further and further toward the sun. That law determines the destiny of every living thing: what does it love? where does 1t care to go? whither it's inclinations what desires make up it's life? Heaven is Heaven only to those whose lives are heavenly; it would be Hell, place Of direst torment, to those whose lives are impure. It is 50 here; 1t will be so here after. Like joins to like.