The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-14
Sunday Sermon.

III FaInPT > HOuSe are uldly
sions.-St. John xiv. 2.
What pursuits and pleasures will occr-
Ply our attention in the next life? This is
question which not only exctes our Gu
rosity, but seriously demands an answer.
Since every day brings us nearer 10 the
great mystery of death, we naturally in
quire concerning the conditions on which
we shall enter after we leave the valley OF
shadows and emerge into world about
which only the faintest hints have been
vorchsafed.
We are not, however, left entirely in the
dark on this subject. The little we know
leads to many a reasonable surmise, for
since there is a certain fixed consistency
in the realm of spirit as well as of mat
ter. it is safe to build future out of
the capacities and longings of human ma
ture.
The scientific imagination predicts with
considerable assurance the kind of physi-
cal life which exists ON the planets of
our system, and it's statement are re-
ceived with undoubting confidence. In
like manner the student of he soul may
venture without much hesitation to de-
clare that given environment must re-
life. 1t would be folly to insist on de-
tails, but general principles may surely
be depended upon.
The fact that the drudgery of our earth
ly career will be dispensed with and the
soul viii be free to follow its unhampered
inclination is itself prophecy of what
will happen In this under world phys
ical necessities press upon us like heavy
burden, while the spirit of man very
rarely has full scope. The body is always
in evidence, but the soul is in the shad-
owed background.
Manual work in order to maintain eX-
istence, daily struggle TO supply our ma
terial wants is the tragic element or this
lower life. We have neither time nor
ability to provide food for the soul, be-
cause so much time and energy are re-
quired to provide food for the body. Mill
ions of men are hardly conscious of their
mortality, because from the cradle to
the grave they spend their best selves in
keeping a roof over their heads and earn
ing bread for heir children. The years
pass and when the end comes the spirit
ual nature is still .undeveloped. This is
one of the puzzles which confronts us when
we try to understand the providence of
God
But with death we leave this burden at
the churchyard gate. No more anxiety
about the body! 1t has done its work and
is reverently laid aside. When clothed
with spiritual body physical drudgery
ceases and the pure soul comes TO the
forefront. We may declare therefore that
the next life will furnish us with intel
lectual opportunities which heretofore
have been denied. Mind and heart aspir-
alton and affection. not only the nobler
man. but the real man will be free and the
watchword of Immortality will be growth.
The radiance of infinite wisdom and love
will beckon us toward the ideal, the uni
verse will be our schoolroom and God
himself our teacher We shall begin
then with a condition which is now al
most inconceivable. but which will be
unaIterably blessed. Under such infu
ences there must needs be an awakening
of dormant powers, and the dimmed and
blurred souls OF earth will have an eter-
nifty in which to become archangels.
/ believe that everyone has the breath
of God in his nostrils. That breath con-
stitutes personality-a personality which
will persist forever 1t will not be alb
sorbed in the infinite as a drop of water is
absorbed by the ocean, but will maintain
it's separate identity throughout eternity.
Moreover, it will, amid the opportunities
of another life, slowly educate itself and
rise to heights not dreamed of No part
of God can die neither can it remain DOR
mant. 1t will, when it becomes conscious
of itself, push it's way into broader
spheres Of influence and development,
coming nearer to the Father'in the passing
cycles of eternity, until at last the morn
ing stars will once more sing together
over redeemed world, world awakened
to its true destiny and engaged in the
glorious work of accomplishing it.
Such thoughts fill the dark landscape of
the present with glorious light. We be-
long to Christ. and boundless love shell
ters us with it's protecting wings. A
faith like that uplifts our struggling and
respondent souls, for when we have borne
our burden bravely death will give us the
relief we pray for, and eternity will well
come us to a larger life. We must there
fore, be cheerful, patient and courageous,
nor let ills of the present unfit us for the
blessings of the future. God is our father,
and we should get nearer to Him with
every trial and sorrow. We shall M
really live until We live again.
GEORGE H. HEPWORTH.