through which God has so mercifully conducted them. It must certainly be a delightful employment, and calculated to increase their gratitude and joy, for those who have travelled together through life, sharing in each other's cares and sorrows, enduring the same fight of afflictions, and struggling against the same temptations, to retrace the scenes through which they have passed, and to contrast their former light afflictions, with their present eternal weight of glory. We are warranted, therefore, in saying that this doctrine is in accordance with the soundest dictates of

reason.

Let us now see what intimations we have of it in Scripture. To my own mind, the text alone, which says that hereafter we shall see face to face, and know even as we are also known, is a conclusive argument in its favor. There are, however, some other passages evidently implying that departed spirits will know each other, and be happier for that knowledge. Thus we read that when David's child was dead, he consoled himself with the reflection that he himself should hereafter go to the same place, whither the spirit of his infant had gone: I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.* Yet this reflection could be no source of comfort to the Israelitish monarch, under his present bereavement, unless he had expected to meet, and recognise, his child again.

At the time of our Savior's transfiguration on the Mount, when he appeared in his matchless glory, Moses and Elias also appeared in the glorified bodies with which all the saints in light will hereafter be clothed. And their being known by those apostles, who were with our LORD at the time, is a clear intimation that the saints will know each other in a future state.

But a still more conclusive passage--and the only one which I shall now notice is to be found in St. Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians. For what, he asks, is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our LORD JESUS CHRIST at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.† Here, this great apostle evidently anticipates with delight, the time. when he should present these persons before the throne,

as the

seals," to borrow the language of the pious Doddridge, "which GOD had been pleased to set to his labors, and as amiable friends, in whose converse and love he hoped to be forever happy."

On this text the learned Dr. McKnight thus beautifully remarks: "the manner in which the apostle speaks of the Thessalonians, shows that he expected to know his converts at the day of judgment. If so, we may hope to know our relations and friends then. And, as there is no reason to think, that in the future life we shall lose those natural and social affections, which constitute so great a part of our present enjoyment, may we not expect that these affections, purified from every thing animal and terrestrial, will be a source of our happiness in that life likewise? It must be remembered, however, that in the other world we shall love one another, not so much on account of the relation and friendship which formerly subsisted between us, as on account of the knowledge and virtue which we possess. For among rational beings, whose affections will all be suited to the high state of moral and intellectual perfection, to which they shall be raised, the most endearing relations and warmest friendships will be those which are founded on excellence of character. What a powerful consideration this, to excite us to cultivate in our relations and friends, the noble and lasting qualities of knowledge and virtue, which will prove such a source of happiness to them, and to us, through the endless ages of eternity!"

To this doctrine I know of but one considerable objection. If it be true that departed spirits know each other, will it not be a source of unhappiness to the Christian to find that many, whom he had loved on earth, are not among the number of the blessed in heaven; and consequently, that they must be in a state of everlasting wretchedness and despair! This objection, if it have any weight, will apply with equal force to our knowing, as we certainly must know, that any part of the human family has been condemned to eternal punishment. At the great day of final account we shall all behold a lasting separation made between the righteous and the wicked; yet it cannot be supposed that the condemnation of the latter, will, in the least degree, disturb the felicity of the former. To this it may be added that the omniscient

JEHOVAH, whose tender mercies are over all his works,-the Divine Redeemer, who came into the world to save sinners, and the blessed angels, who now rejoice when one sinner repenteth, have all a perfect knowledge of the sufferings of the wicked; yet can we, for a moment, think that they are less happy for such knowledge? And why may it not be the same with respect to the glorified saints?

The truth appears to be this: we shall then have such enlarged views of God's holiness, wisdom, and justice,— we shall so clearly discern the reasons for the condemnation of the wicked,―as fully to acquiesce in their sentence, and adore the justice which punishes them, not less than the mercy which spares us. We may, therefore, easily conceive that it will add much to the Christian's happiness to meet many of his friends in heaven, while the reflection that some, whom he loved on earth, are not there, will not be permitted to mar his felicity.

I proceed to consider the practical uses and application of this doctrine. He who thinks it of no practical importance, and that it can have no influence on our conduct through life, has little knowledge of the human heart, and is a stranger to the kindliest feelings, and the holiest charities, of our nature.

Not such the views of HIM, who, when about to be separated from his beloved disciples on earth, assured them of their reunion in heaven. With what affectionate earnestness does he press upon them this consolatory truth! Let not your hearts be troubled; in my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you; THAT WHERE I AM THERE YE MAY BE ALSO. What else could have reconciled the followers of CHRIST to so painful a separation? What else could have cheered their hearts under every difficulty and danger, and enabled them to embrace death in its most horrid forms,-but the firm belief, and assured expectation, that, whenever they departed, they should BE WITH CHRIST?

Was it not, think you, a cheering declaration to the penitent thief upon the cross, pronounced by One who held the keys of death and hell-This day shalt thou be WITH ME in paradise! Did the Israelitish monarch derive no consolation from the pros

pect of a reunion with his beloved child, when he uttered that feeling exclamation, before mentioned, I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me?

Think not, then, that this doctrine is of no practical importance. Every friend, who dies in the LORD, adds but another tie to heaven. The hope of being reunited to them in the other world awakens our sluggish zeal, and excites us to press forward the more earnestly towards the mark, for that prize which they have already attained.

Say, ye who now weep over the mouldering ashes of a pious friend, ye who have ever dropped a tear into the grave of one dear to you as your own soul,-has not their departure to the world of spirits disposed you to make a more diligent preparation to follow them? Has it not excited you to greater care and watchfulness, lest the separation should prove eternal? As a child, have you not been cheered by the prospect of a reunion with your sainted parents? As a parent, have you not joyfully anticipated a meeting with the disembodied spirits of your children? As a husband, or wife, have you not looked forward with delight to the moment when you should rejoin the partner of your bosom? As an affectionate brother, or sister, or friend, have you not longed for an inseparable union with those with whom you took sweet counsel here; and ardently prayed that it might be said of you as it was of Saul and Jonathan, they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided?

Oh! if there is a delightful scene on earth, it is that of a pious family, going hand in hand together to the same mansions of everlasting rest-cheering each other with the hopes and consolations of religion-animating each other's faith, and smoothing life's rough and thorny path with mutual helps and reciprocal affections. It is here they have commenced that happy union, which they hope to continue more perfectly in heaven. And as often as death enters their dwelling, and their little social circle narrows, they console themselves with the thought that, in another world, their happiness will be perfect, and their union indissoluble.

And how ought this thought to excite us to labor the more earnestly for the salvation of those with whom we are now connected!

The attachments of kindred and affection-all the domestic charities which make life pleasant, and death painful—every one who is stamped with the form of humanity must have felt. Surely, if these ties are dear to us now, it is our interest, not less than our duty to do all in our power to make them lasting as eternity. Let these hopes, therefore, which the Gospel inspires, exert their proper influence on our lives. Let them teach us to be perfectly resigned to the departure of our Christian friends, and incite us to make diligent preparation to follow them, whenever it shall please God to call us. Let us often call to mind the blessedness of the dead, who die in the LORD, and endeavor, through the assistance of Divine grace, to fit ourselves for a participation in their glories and their joys. Amid all the cares, and afflictions, and temptations of this mortal life, let us consider the glorious cloud of witnesses which surround us, and run with patience the race that is set before us; looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith. Let it be our constant endeavor "to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life," that so we may be prepared for admission into his immediate presence, where we shall see face to face, and know even as we are known. Associated there with the wisest and best beings in the universe, our knowledge and happiness will be continually increasing. We shall drink of the fountain of living waters, be fed with the fruit of the tree of life-and, throughout the rolling ages of eternity, shall participate in all the unspeakable bliss and glory of that heaven where there is fulness of joy, and pleasures for

evermore.

VOL. II.-24