The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-08-02

know them on the other side. Shall we
know our friends in heaven? is a ques-
ton we often ask and one concerning
which we do not have as clear a con-
ception as we might have. The fact
that there is no position, nor clear rev.
elation on the subject has created some
doubt, but there is enough given to es-
tablish us in firm faith and to cheer
US amid the hours of bereavement. We
must admit that in our views on the
subject the feelings of our heart affect
to some degree the opinion of the in
tellect. The affections mingle with
reason and evidence and give color to
our belief. AS we see our loved ones
passing from US, we can scarcely give
them up; we cannot tolerate the idea
that they are lost to US; that we will
never see them again or know them if
we should meet them. In thought, we
enter with them those bright regions
and revel amid the glories and beauties
of those scenes. We think of them
there and try to imagine what they are
doing. The thought of their eternal
happiness fills US with joy and brings
light into the gloom of our sadness, As
the stars are hidden from our view by
reason of the bright light of the sun, as
it arises in the morning, so these though
concealed for time, are not lost
to US, only gone on before. AS we
gather around the lifeless form of
friend, tears flow because that eye is
closed forever and that hand will no
more be stretched out to US, and the
lips that once spoke words of affection
are sealed forever; but we look aloft
and think of them as welcomed by the
;ngels above to the felicitles of glory.
They have entered into their heavenly
rest; they have taken possession of their
mansions.
some think that the saved soul will
be so taken up with the glories that
shall be revealed in and to them; so in
terested in Christ and absorbed in His
work that they will not know any one
else, but this thought is chilling to the
believers affection, and however much
he may desire to know them and to be-
lieve he will recognize them there, but
few are able to give a satisfactory
reason for the hope they indulge. To
furnish such proof is the object of this
writing.
The question is one of tender interest
and great concern to every believer.
As he stands and gszes at loved ones
who are slipping away and then see the
body cold in death, he cannot help ask
ing, Shall l know them on the other
side? Are they lost to US? Surely not.
only gone before and then with af
fections intensified they await our ar
rival at their happy home When the
morning light scatters the gloom of
night and the sun llumines the firma-
ment, the stars are not lost, only con-
cealed from our vision; so the saints
seine in the moral heavens though we
cannot behold them While the mourn
ers stand around the bedside of the diving
and weep because the loved one has gone
from US, angels above are welcoming
the spirit of the saint and amid the smiles
OF the Redeemer, the approval of the
Master, and the benediction of areconcll-
ed Father, they enter their eternal rest.
Friend after friend departs.
Who hath not lost friend?
There is no union ties of hearts
That finds not here an end.
Were this frail world our final rest.
Living or dying none were blest.
How the emotions of the soul swell at
the thought of these! If we can find
any evidence in the Bible to warrant
the belief that we may meet and know
them, it affords us unspeakable comfort.
We think it strange that positive proof
nature of our evidence is not such as to
allow US to argue the question with
mathematical precision and conclusion
ness, still there is testimony enough to
satisfy the longings and sustain the
faith of all believers.
In considering this question the first
thing that shall occupy our attention Is
the fact, that there is a universal hope
and expectation among mankind that
they will know and love their friends in
heaven.
In all ages Of the world and among all
classes, this sentiment has prevailed.
Over the darkness of heathenism it
shot like CLEAN carrying comfort to
the heart of the bereaved pagan.
Amidst the gloom Of superstition and
their wanderings on the mountains of
error, they have found comfort in the
twilight of this doctrine and so the
poor widow as she flung herself on the
funeral pierre of her husband was sus-
tanned by the hope of meeting him
again and knowing him. Why should