The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-08-09
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Heavenly Recognition.


white, and from the institutions of
learning down to the meanest hoYel,
it has shed its influence. 1t has been
consolation to the dying Christian, while
weeping friends as they stood by the
grave of loved departed have been
cOmgorted by the hope of meeting again.
How came this belief to find place in
every age and tribe?
How does it come that it has place in
the enlightened consciousness of every
believer? That it does find such place,
cannot be denied, and this fact forms
strong presumptive evidence in favor
of it. There are some doctrines which
are intuitive-born IN US, and these
have their origin with the author of cur
being He has planted them there. The
very fact that all through scripture,
the doctrine seems to be taken for
granted; that it is assumed that it is
some hing that does not need proof, is
strong presumptive evidence in its
favor
The idea of God, of the future and of
immortality are innate and is strong
proof, indeed it is sufli ,ent for us. The
idea If an atonement is everywhere i'm
pressed upon the human heart and
hence allfeel the necessity of making
some sacrifice for sin. Thisis the central
force Of paganism and is an inducement
for to bring their offerings to the
altar or submit to extreme bodily tor
ture. The united voice of the world
proc!ams the existence of moral gov
eminent; Of the being of God; Of the
doctrine of Immortality and the needs
OF an atonement and should we not
listen to the same voice as it proclaims
the truth of the doctrine of recognition.
As christianity advances it sancufies
and enobles the thoughts and desires of
the neart, and this doctrine advances
with it, Just in proportion as you
break the power of sin and man is
brought under the power of holiness, is
the desire to meet and know our friends
IN the.future increased. The nearer we
live to the cross and heaven, the more
distinctly we hear the voice of the de-
parted and see their forms as they
tread the bowers of paradise regained.
He who by faith and PRAYER lives upon
the mountain height. in the full light
of divine love, can almost hear the
loved ones calling:
Come to the land of peace,'
Come where the tempest hath no
longer sway,
The shadow passes from the soul away,
The sounds of weaping cease!'
The doctrine is reasonable, scripture
afirms that we shall all be changed,
yet it will not be such as will destroy
our Identity 1t will not destroy the
characteristics by which we know each
other now.
We recognize each other after years
Of separation. Memory is sometimes so
tenacious that it recalls all with whom
we may have formed an acquaintance.
Will this faculty be obiterated when
we have passed the boundaries of time?
We regard it our duty to retain warm
affection for those with whom we are
connected by ties of kindness or re-
ligion. Will death sever these ties and
cut off this fountain of enjoyment? Our
work here is preparatory to the next
world.
We are to cultivate virtues which
will be carried into the next. We are
to cultivate virtues which will be car
ried to perfection in a nobler state of
being. The natural instinct of the
parent leads it to love the child and the
child If faithful will be, from sense of
gratitude interested in the parents and
will DO all it can for its happiness. The
family is designed to cultivate social
affections and in society we are de-
pendent upon each other that benevo-
lence, love and confidence may be call
ed iuto exercise.
In every community socialvirtues are
uCNClOpCu Juol tuS
spirit of piety reigns in the heart. Sin
DESTROYS all these virtues but holiness
sanctifies and envolves the growth of
our affections and gives sacredness to
human friendship. Some of the sweet
est friendships of life have been formed
by similar lasts and feelings in religious
life. Common temptations, cares,
troubles and labors have knit their
hearts in one undying friendship.
1t is not reasonable to suppose that
the same religion which sweetens and
enobles life's friendships and the social
nature of man, will more perfectly de-
velop our affections in a higher life?
And haYe you not felt in hours of af-
Fiction the instincts of your nature and
the feelings of your heart, favoring the
idea that the affiction will only be for
a time? How this hope comforts the
sorrowing ones as they sit beside the
grave of some loved one. as through