Year: 1868

lOrelgn source, and winch Will not at
length be harmonized in its future and
glorious consummation. The family
on earth holds intercourse with the
family in heaven by holy desires, and
dearest aspirations, and an anticipa-
ton of a final indissoluble union -
And the family in heaven ministers to
the family on earth by its protection
and sympathy and rejoicing; while
when members here are called to
change their armor for the crown they
are borne on wings of love to the
mansions prepared for them on high.
Oh! this union of spirit, this family
bond, far exceeding the ties of earthly
relationship how precious how en-
nobling how perfect! Those re-
deemed by the blood of Christ wheth-
er on earth or in heaven form dis


tinct and holy people-one family in


his name. Each trembling penitent


below and each triumphant victor alb


owe is either the subject of his gov
ernnaont and the object of his tender
care. Widely separated and mutually
unknown as they may be, diverse as


are their circumstances, elevated their


joys, or overwhelming their sorrows,
yet the laws that bind them, the hopes
that sustain them, are common to all.


They are one family of which he is


the head, and though thrown into nu-


merous divisions on earth, each dis


tinguished by its own peculiarities of


faith or practice, yet they hold" one


Lord, one faith, one baptism" If


through ignorance or infrmity now in


dividuals contend and churches divide


on questions of observance and autho-


rity, all yet defer harmoniously to the


will of Christ as they apprehend it,


and whether earth or heaven be their


present home Christ is their acknowl-


edged prophet, priest and king. Now


and forever he is their crown of glory,


and their diadem of beauty.


And now in conclusion, Christian


brethren, if the view we have taken


of our subject be correct, this occa-


sion furnishes solemn lesson to US


all. 1t is a providence by which God


means to teach his church; and oh,


that we all would make personal ap-


plication of its teaching. Another


member of this church, one of its long


est acting members, has passed from


US, He has long been identified with


its interests, and we believe has loved


its ordinances, and labored for its


prosperity. His pecuIlarIUles, and in


frmities, and errors, are not now the


subject of our thought. He has now


laid down his militant armor, and we


trust has joined the dear ones gone


before in the family above.


: But what is the lesson of his death
to US? What would be the language
: of his earnest exhortation, could he
now return and sit among US as of
old? | dare not lift the veil, ever


could my feeble words depict the
: scene. Let each in silence be faithful
with himself. How should we mourn
over our manifest imperfections, and
divisions, and want of consideration
How should we all learn here the
great necessity of Christian forbear
ance and love; of mutual kindness
and sympathy which should distin
guish the members of the same family
=. How should we glove as brethren,
and bear one another's burdens" y
2 How should peace be promoted, and
; the unity of the spirit be kept in the


bonds of peace. Above all how
: should we be faithful and dilligent "tt
make our calling and election sure,
: praving-seekimg for the glory of ri
: on, and proving our real membership


also in the great family of God.


And to this mourning circle ou
!. subject affords word of truest con
e ISOLATION. Is the Christian church
e family? Have you hope that you
+ father, your brother, or friend, wh'
q has just passed away was truly mem
J Der by birth of that family And i
that family the same in earth and hea
,, ven? Then he is but transferred t
T a higher sphere. He has experience
n a blessed reunion with those one
u loved here which you also may hop
e ere long to know. Those who wer
IS once on earth and are now in heave
a are members of the same family still
T, Those who once had their home her
e. now have it there. The dead are nc
a lost to us. There is sense in whic
II they are ours more than they eve
20 were before. The Christian feels ths
S the family is not broken. Becaus
y the chair is empty he does not fe'
"a that the occupant is no more. TT
D. eye of faith sees only a transform
IN tion most glorious. He is not thel
le indeed in body as you have been wol
ie to see him, but he is risen. You Sc
D. the place where he was, but he hi
IL passed to the mansions above. ez
: "Oh glorious home; oh, blest abode a


/ shall be near and like my God;


IS And flesh and sin no more control


vi The sacred pleasures of the soul. g
~ My flesh shall slumber in the ground y
Ii- Till the last trumpet's joyful sound; s.
le Then burst the chains with sweet surprise,
Id And in my Savior's image rise!"


re The TRUNDLE BED.---The balmie
: sleep we ever experienced was wht
ID we were nesting in the old trund


bed with curly headed brother ju
rs turned out of the parent nest to NAL