Year: 1859

4


Shall we recognize each other when we
meet before that awful tribunal at which
all must render an account of their stew
ardship? Shall the varied associations of
life, which death shall sunder, be reunited
in that bourne from whence no traveller has
e'er returned9 Shall the affections and
friendships which have given the sunshine
and fragrance to this transitory life, sur
vive the cold and dreary darkness of the
tomb?


These are important and interesting
questions, on which every rejecting and
inquisitive mind must often ponder, as
thoughts of the future state suggest them
selves to its meditations. And yet it is one


on which there prevails remarkable unan-


unity of sentiment. Poets, philosophers


and divines, in all ages and in every cline,


have, with the occasional exception of an


ascetic deist or gloomy skeptic, coincided


in the opinion that there will be a mutual


recognition when we meet beyond the cold


stream of death. Mankind everywhere


instinctively believe in the existence ofGod


and the Immortality of the soul; and these


intuitive convictions and yearnings of the


soul are considered most conclusive proofs


of those sublime truths which are the


fundamental tenets in every system of


religion. In the same manner and from


the same teachings do they cling to the


belief of future recognition-of re-


union of the ties and associations of earth


which death has for time suspended


They have not arrived at the conclusion by


any erudite and subtle process Of ratiocina-


ton but every where and in all stations,


the iliterate and the learned, the peasant


and the philosopher feel, and therefore be-
4 liever that it must be so. And even were
revelation entirely silent on this point, the


promptings of nature would not permit us
to entertain doubt Of its truth. The heart


clings instinctively to it and will not relin-
5 quish it.


But the holy book of God also affords
q incontestible evidence, that death will be
but temporary suspension of the associa-
tions of time. Numerous parallels anc


paragraphs teach us that one of the prin
!, cipal ingredients of celestial bliss will bt
a the society in which we shall mingle. In
deed it is among our most pleasing concep
a ceptions of Heaven, to think that we shal
4 there renew the acquaintances of earth
\ 1t is this glorious assurance which sustain
. us and administers comfort when we con
i template the approach of the dread kin!
+ of terrors. We delight in the though
' that when the brief pilgrimage of life
i ended, that our enfranchised spirits sha
Il soar away to be wecolmed by those VIII
. have gone before to the ineffable glories {


that better land, which our Father has pre-
ct pared for his redeemed.


ki Almost every one has been bereaved
" some loved friends who are already feastin
,e upon the bliss of Heaven, and waiting
he welcome US when we shall arrive at til
be portals of the beautiful City. Oh !! whi
d, an incentive is this to wean our affection
Ii frem the leeting things of earth-what
be tic to bind us to Henven and its undyiu
to glories! Oh how pleasant thus to res
no ize foretaste of the joys of Heaven
uu Higher shall our rapture grow
es. When we meet to part no more"
q When the grim monster comes and tea
Ia from our warm embrace those with who