glorified bodies they shall become denizens of the universe, and be enabled to trace the displays of infinite wisdom and almighty power in the numberless worlds which lie within the range of Jehovah's empire. Some of the ministering spirits who stand before the throne of God, have, on various occasions, found their way through the trackless regions of the sky to our world; and it cannot be questioned that, when fulfilling the commands of the Most High, they take more distant flights; and fly, with inconceivable swiftness, and unerring precision, to those worlds which lie at the utmost limits of our vision, and to many others far beyond them. The future bodies of the redeemed may be as highly etherialized as the corporeal vehicles of these celestial beings for I conceive it to be in the highest degree probable that they are invested with a material organization of some sort—and that they may be so formed as to be suitable instruments for conveying themselves from world to world with a velocity equal to that with which angels move. In that case they will be able, in a very short space of time, to transport themselves to that part of the universe where the throne of God is, or even to remoter spheres where there are other orders of holy intelligences. Now, since every impediment, both of a moral and physical nature, which would prevent their having access to the habitation of the Eternal, will be removed; and since they will be able to wing their way to that glorious place with unconceivable rapidity; may it not with propriety be said respect

ing them, in these circumstances, that they dwell in the presence of God, and that they are before his throne.

Such powers and capabilities, it is highly probable, are possessed by the holy intelligences who dwell in other worlds, and who, as subjects of the same divine government under which we live, may have to visit, on some grand public occasion, the special residence of the Great Supreme. The apostle Paul tells us that "by him"-that is, by Christ—" were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist." And he further informs us, that it is the design of God the Father to unite the celestial beings and redeemed sinners into one body:-" That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth." When the mysteries of redemption are finished, that union shall be apparent, and its delightful consequences experienced; and all orders of holy beings in the universe will be governed by the law of love, and live together in the bonds of a holy brotherhood for ever.

Now, who will be so confident as to assert, that throughout the revolving cycles of eternity there will not be seasons corresponding to our earthly sabbaths, in which the servants of the Most High from the

remotest limits of the universe shall assemble round his throne to behold his glory; to pay their homage to him and to learn his will; and to engage in peculiar acts of worship for the purpose of commemorating, in some impressive and glorious manner, the allimportant work in virtue of which the intelligent universe is united together under the headship of Christ? The language of the poet, when describing the assembling of the hosts of heaven at the day of judgment, may be considered as a representation of

*

* It appears to me, that the sacred writer suggests some such notion as this in the twelfth chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, when speaking of the privileges and prospects of Christians :— "But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." The particular in the enumeration to which I refer, is the one which stands first in the

twenty-third verse. The Greek word πανέγυρις, which is translated" the general assembly," properly signifies, a stated convention upon some joyful occasion, such as a religious festival; and I should be disposed to think, that it denotes something different from the convention of the numbers of "the church of the first-born." That holy community consists of redeemed men ; the "innumerable company of angels" are the ministering spirits who wait around the throne of God; and "the general assembly" seems to be a concourse of all the holy intelligences in the empire of Jehovah. If such be the import of the passage, what a grand idea does it convey!

what will, in all probability, often take place in the future scenes of our existence :

"Nor yet from heaven

Alone, came they that day. The worlds around,
Or neighbouring nearest on the verge of night
Emptied, sent forth their whole inhabitants.
All tribes of being came, of every name,
From every coast, filling Jehovah's courts.
From morn till mid-day in the squadrons poured
Immense, along the bright celestial roads,
Swiftly they rode, for love unspeakable,
To God, and to Messiah, Prince of Peace,
Drew them, and made obedient haste to be

Approved. And now, before the throne of the Eternal
Brighter, that day, than when the Son prepared

To overthrow the seraphim rebelled,—

And circling round the mount of Deity,

Upon the sea of glass all round about,

And down the borders of the stream of life,
And over all the plains of paradise,

For many a league of heavenly measurement,—
Assembled, stood the immortal multitude,

Millions above all number infiuite,

The nations of the blest.

Thus stood they numberless around the Mount
Of presence; and adoring, waited, hushed

In deepest silence, for the voice of God."

If such scenes shall be realized—and we have every reason to believe that they will-redeemed men shall appear in the habitation of the divine glory along with other orders of beings in far distant worlds; and shall be invested with material vehicles which will not, in the smallest degree, impede their movements while

traversing the boundless expanse to the dwelling-place of the Great Supreme.

What a grand and glorious prospect! How well fitted to raise our minds to the contemplation of the realities of eternity! The palace of the King of kings will be constantly open for the reception of his subjects; and we may rest assured, that the Lamb who dwells in the midst of the throne will most cordially welcome those who have been redeemed by his precious blood, and will point out to them all the splendours of that holy place. He shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and shall make to them such discoveries of the divine character as will produce joy unspeakable and full of glory. And, oh! what rapturous emotions will fill their souls, when they revisit the scene of their trials and afflictions, and recount the tokens of the Saviour's love! The recollection of the sorrows and woes which they there endured will impart a zest to their pleasures, and make them more highly admire the grace which effected such a change in their circumstances.

L