and Cicero plainly intimates, they rather wished, than dared to believe, that it might live and be happy in a future state. A Christian can have no perplexing doubt on this important point; for "Jesus Christ hath brought life and immortality to light, through the gospel." All the clouds and shades which once enveloped this interesting subject are now completely chased away. The vast value and excellence of the soul, its existence in a separate and disembodied state, and its capacity of endless enjoyment, are demonstrated in almost every page of the New Testament. You look with intense interest on the remains of that dear babe reposing in the coffin, or you fondly call up its image when those remains rest in the silent grave; but are you so enamoured of the casket as to forget the precious jewel? Does the frail tenement of clay so engross your thoughts as to render you unmindful of the now emancipated and blessed inhabitant? The spark of intelligence which animated your beloved child will continue to burn and shine when the natural sun is extinguished. The process or the means by which the latent powers of the young immortal are to be opened and expanded, elevated and improved, are beyond the reach of our knowledge, and no good will arise from vague conjectures; but the Almighty God can effect these ends in a manner which infinitely exceeds our feeble conceptions. How slowly are our mental capacities and moral sensibilities developed in this cold terrestrial clime! How many checks and obstructions impede the exercise of our higher powers! We may, however, without rashness, presume that in the world of spirits every injurious bar, every chilling blast, every cause of distraction or discouragement, will be entirely removed. There the immortal mind will unfold and exert its noble faculties with a freedom and ardour, with an alacrity and delight, unknown to the boldest and brightest genius on earth. But perhaps you still ruminate in sadness on the lovely form which you lately clasped and pressed to your bosom with transports of affection. The eyes which beamed exquisite tenderness are closed in darkness; the lips which, in your estimate, uttered some touching sentiment in almost every accent, are sealed in silence. Those gentle acts, those winning smiles, which once so emphatically pleased, have left a strong and vivid impression; and memory recalls past endearments, only to increase the poignancy of present grief. But turn your attention to the word of truth, and there learn that even the body will not always remain the prey of death. Christianity scatters the gloom of the sepulchre. Hear the soothing strain in which an inspired apostle addresses the believers at Thessalonica: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Here a great mystery is unveiled to |