The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-09
lSundayl Sermon.

And 1t doth not yet appear what we
shall BEL John, H., 2.
1t is very curious and somewhat
startling fact that We have just begun to
believe that We have souls. Heretofore
we have entertained vague and fantastic
notions on the subject, admitting in a
general way that a soul is better than a
body because it lasts longer, but having
no clear ideas as to its development or
as to its future. This life was so fright
fully real that any other possible life as
sumed the shape of dream. But of late
the soul has claimed the attention of
science, and, although progress has been
made with slow and hesitating steps, we
have certainly advanced far beyond our
fathers in acquiring a definite position.
Psychology has forced it's way to the
front, or at least toward the front and
half the world are asking questions con-
corning today and tomorrow which the
other half are trying to answer. There
is no reason why we should not make
great many discoveries in connection
with that vital spark which leaves the
physical man SO much a wreck that it's
presence is no longer welcome. We give
it back with many tears and an equal
number of hopes to our mother earth. We
are all looking with eager eyes into the
beyond, and if anyone in authority has
anything to say on the subject we listen
with rapt attention. There is something
almost painful in the pathos with which
We demand new facts about a continued
existence, for our affections cannot and
will not be satisfied with the thought of
extinction.
Almost every family has some legend
or some memory of supernormal expert
ence on the part of a dear one who was
just crossing the threshold into the other
life. In some cases the sight becomes
acute and the departed ap-
pear with outstretched hands to assist
the newcomer in the passage to Heaven.
In others the ear is equally acute, and
the overture of the angels is heard as a
welcome to the brighter land. Death has
thus been robbed of its terrors and made
easy. These stories are floating in the
air everywhere. Can it be that they mean
nothing? And If they mean something,
then how much?
Science has duty to perform in this
large field 1t has either ignored or
difference. But it is possible to gather
verified facts enough to formulate a
theory which may sometimes solidify
itself into a demonstrated faith. We.
cannot afford to pass by on the other
SIDE" and the time is coming when skill
full men will handle these things, some
Darwin hold enough to follow the truth
wherever ii may lead, and tell
us what we long to know. The hour is
ripe, the attitude OF the general mind is
and we have right to look
for startling discoveries in the near flu
ture.
Or again. When a man comes to me
saying he has a messge from the other
world may be incredulous, but l cannot
forget that the word impossible" has
become obsolete. / cannot help hoping
that what he says is true, neither can
help believing that it is we'll within the
limits of possibility. That Christ enjoyed
that privilege, that the Old Testament is
filled with instances of the kind, that st.
Paul records a most remarkable expert
ence along these lines, that in the life OF
every saint are similar occurrences can
not for a moment be doubted. Have all
these been mistaken. and have we been
dreaming dreams when we put faith in
these statements? Is the Bible to be
trusted elsewhere and distrusted here?
Is this universal longing to know about
those who have gone through the church.
yard to Heaven a delusion and snare,
bright promise of faith which simply
"sets the childrens teeth on edge?"
strange world, indeed, in which our thirst
is never quenched, our hunger never sat
isfed! Why, then, the hunger and the
thirst?
These matters are slowly coming with
in the range of scientific inquiry. The
days of indifference have passed
With the future new glories will open
to our surprised eyes, new truths will be
discovered and we shall find that the
two worlds are so close together that as
our prayers go forth to the gates the
loved ones come to answer them and rem
der assistance.
Before that time we ourselves may de-
part, but the way will be open to come
back bringing the love of God. OF Christ
and of the risen ones into hearts and