The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-03-21

Some hawsEer, hold Heaven Ia q normal step
of progress in our evolution from the lower in
stinets TO the higher conceptions
The fact the Bible has given so little light
on this subject has set people to imagining the
rest. and nothing is more absurd than many q
description. Literature. specially of the lighter
order, has curiosity for this mystery, and many
an author attempts to have sort Of ODD chap
ter of Revelations Of his own makeup as a fit-
ting conclusion to his volume. While some OF
these attempts are pitifui in their ridiculous
ness, they are even more to he deplored on ac-
count of the utter want of consistency, of rever-
ence, OF truth. of concord in any degree with
Bible ideas, yea often of want of deccncy.
We cite in illustration of this last class the
following:
HarHeiare, A Dream Poem, by Gerhart Haupt-
mann, just out, attempts q description OF
Heaven, which is realism gone mad. He
lnIagines the status OF Paradise (uslug that
word evidently as q synonym for Heavenl thus
at consists Of marble houses that are rooted
with gold, and that are farther embellished
with silver channels, though which bubble con-
tinually brooks of ruby wine. while the neigh
boring streets are stTewn with flowers and
wedding-hells ring. in eu,lless peals, amid green
pinDacles that are surrounded with butterflies. +"
This will do for a rather morbid DRAMA It
can be criticized, of course. 1t is not best to
depend on it very much; not enough, at any
rate, to form any preconceiyed ideas.
We recall Gates Ajar, book which was sup
posed to be based on considerable knowledge Of
the real facts as TO Heaven. 1t was severely
criticized as giving of Heaven an altogether too
real conception, too material description, too
much tiDged OF earthly associations. not quite
enough different FROM this world to make peo-
pie as eager to change as good morals require.
We think much of the criticism OF the volume
was unfair. We know tho author, then Miss
Elizabeth Phelps has no gross ideas of Heaven.
There Was q thought underlying the whole
book, which she failed sufficiently to develop,
and so she did not escape criticism. Her idea,
doubtless, was that Heaven will complete every
persons ideal, If not literally, yet by such ex-
allied substitutes as to obliterats all memory Of
or desire for any object ever before thought
necessary to eternal happiness.
As things stands we cannot expect very uni
form ideas to Heaven. The Bible says so
little ON the subject that no one can state Just
what Heaven is in any very extended deserip-
tive way. For now Heaven must practically
be to every man just what he thinks 10 is. and,
we may say, there are as many Heavens as
men.
Ii cannot be disputed but that IL would be
well if we could reach some nd, uni form prin-
ciples to teach in regard to Heaven. We can at
least find out how much Information God has
given Us on this subject and utilize that much.
II StSUls tnhL Sucn u variety OF OplE-
ions exist. After getting TO the furtbest point,
where the Bible takes Us in its delineations of
Heaven, there is pure speculation and no one
has yet boon able to put letters or harness on
speculation. With the idea that Heaven is
delightful beyond human language to describe
or human comprehension to grasp, we have o
general inspiration for duty, ard this. as TO the
question of Heaven reaches, after all, about as
far can go prudsntiy in our instructions.
st. john a. Ia, and Rev., 30, are quite enough
to satisfy curiosity, and fully enough to sustain
Us in our work and difficulties and sometimes
our sorrows of life.
Sir Fl. w. Baker expresses the general senti-
ment OF the Christian Church in the lines be-
low. and faith such as they breathe Is at least
reiigiously helpful, mentally healthful, and
secularly ipspirationsl:
There Is n blessed home
Beyond tLi, land of wos,
Where trials never come,
Nor tears Of sorrow fow;
Where faith is los, in sight,
And pzyient hope Is crowned,
And everlasting ligh,
Ifs glory throws around.
Look up, ye saints Of Godt
Nor fear to ltead below
The pstifyour Savior trod
OF daily toll and woel
Wait but little while
In accomplishing Lowell
His own most gracious smile
Shall welcome you above.