delight is produced in the minds of its inhabitants. And can we imagine, when such tidings are conveyed to heaven, that the spirits of just men made perfect" are the only beings who feel no interest in it, and experience no joy at such an event? Is it not more likely that they, of all the multitudes that surround the throne, are most eager to hear the tidings, and to inquire in what place, by what instrumentality, and in what circumstances the individual was brought to repentance? To suppose that the messenger who carries the intelligence is unacquainted with these particulars, is inconsistent with any correct view which we can take of their powers and capabilities, or the services in which they are employed.

Besides, they are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." Their assistance has often been received in seasons of difficulty and distress. One of them brought food to Elijah in the wilderness when he was faint and weary; one of them shut the mouths of the lions among which Daniel was cast; one of them strengthened the Saviour after he was agonized in the garden of Gethsemane; one of them opened the doors of the prison into which the apostles were thrust by the Jewish high priest; one of them released Peter when he was about to fall a prey to the cruelty of Herod; and one of them appeared to Paul, and comforted him when he was tossed upon the stormy deep. These, and many other instances of a similar nature mentioned in the scriptures, show in what a variety of

ways these spirits minister to the heirs of salvation. But before they can render such services to them they must be intimately acquainted with the circumstances in which they are placed. They follow them through all the windings of their pilgrimage to defend them from the assaults of enemies, to guide them through the snares which lie in their path, to supply their wants, to strengthen them when they are weak, and to cheer them when they are sorrowful and dejected. And, surely, when these angelic beings can wing their flight from world to world with a speed of which we, perhaps, can form no conception, and having access at all times to the habitation of the Eternal, it is no mere fancy to suppose, that they frequently mingle with the multitude of redeemed sinners around the throne, and tell them of the joys and sorrows of their brethren who are still upon the earth. Such channels of communication being always open, I see no reason to doubt that the disembodied souls of the righteous possess a more accurate and enlarged acquaintance with the state of the church below than those who are still in the body.

But there is also some reason to think, that they are permitted occasionally to visit this lower world. A belief very generally prevailed among the Jews that the disembodied souls of good men were employed to minister to the church upon earth; but whether it was founded upon some tradition, or upon a primeval revelation, it is difficult to determine. The new testament, however, furnishes some facts in accordance

with that belief. We are informed that Moses and Elijah appeared with our Saviour upon the mountain at his transfiguration; and the apostle John, while receiving the intimations contained in the book of the Revelation, conversed with one, if not more, who were once inhabitants of this world. On two occasions he fell down to worship the being who showed him the things which should come to pass. On one of these occasions it was said to him, See thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus." And on the other occasion it was said, "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book."* Whether or not this is the language of different beings is a matter of very little consequence; for, although it was the same being who addressed him in both instances, it affords a proof of the fact, sufficiently strong, that a mission from the heavenly world of the highest importance to the church of Christ, was intrusted to the care of one of the human race. And since the Almighty saw fit to employ beings who were once inhabitants of the earth in such important transactions as the transfiguration of Christ, and giving an emblematical representation of the fortunes of the church till the end of time, it is by no means unreasonable to conclude that the disembodied souls of the righteous are often dispatched from on high to

* Rev. xix. 10.-xxii. 9.

the sphere of their former existence, to witness the triumphs of the gospel, or to succour their brethren who are still engaged in the conflict. If such be the case—and there is at least some ground for believing that it is so then are we permitted to cherish the pleasing thought, that the spirits of our departed Christian friends are frequently near us, performing offices of kindness and love. To be employed to minister to those in whom they feel a deep and lasting interest, and for whom they often wept and prayed while they were upon the earth, must be a source of inconceivable pleasure, and add warmth to the love which they feel to the Saviour.

It is, however, supposed by not a few, that if the departed spirits of the righteous possessed such an acquaintance with the state of things in this world, it would, in a great measure, neutralize their happiness, because it is not likely they could be ignorant of the impenitence of many who were dear to them, and of their being, at death, consigned to the place of punishment. The knowledge of their circumstances, they imagine, would produce emotions of the most painful nature, and prevent them from enjoying the felicities of heaven. This objection to the doctrine which I have endeavoured to illustrate, is evidently founded upon a partial view of the subject.

It will not, I presume, be questioned by any one, that all the redeemed shall witness the procedure of the Judge at the day of retribution, that they shall hear him pronounce the doom of the finally impeni

tent, and see him frown them from his presence into everlasting destruction. They cannot be ignorant that the culprits who tremble before his seat form part of the human race, and are the very men with whom they lived and conversed in this world. And if, as we are taught to believe, there will be a scrutiny made into the conduct of each one of them, and a measure of punishment awarded corresponding to the nature, and number, and aggravation of their crimes, individuals will be singled out whose history is known, perhaps, to almost all the company of the saved, and will be the marks against which the hottest thunderbolts of the Almighty will be launched. That being the case, their character and circumstances must be known to some relatives and friends who shall be upon the right hand of the Judge, and who shall add their solemn amen to the fearful sentence pronounced upon them. But there is no reason to think that the discoveries which shall then be made with respect to the individual characters of the wicked, will neutralize the feelings of inexpressible delight which will be experienced by the redeemed when they hear the Saviour say to them, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." If, then, from the proceedings of the judgment-day, the righteous must become acquainted with the condition of their friends who are under condemnation, and that knowledge have no tendency to produce one painful emotion in their breasts, it is difficult to conceive how the disembodied