New Hampshire Statesman And State Journal

IMMORTALITY.

The proof of immortality, which is suited to all understandings, is found in the gospel, sealed by the blood and confirmed by the resurrection of Christ. But this, I think, is made more impressive, by a demonstration of its harmony with the teachings of nature. To me, nature and revelation speak with one voice on the great theme of man's future being. Let not their joint witness be unheard.

How full, how bright are the evidences of this grand truth. How weak are the common arguments which scepticism arrays against it. To me there is but one objection against immortality, if objection it may be called, and this arises from the very greatness of the truth. My mind sometimes sinks under its weight, is lost in its immensity; I scarcely dare believe that such a good is placed within my reach. When I think of myself as existing through all future ages, as surviving this earth and that sky, as exempted from every imperfection and error of my present being, as clothed with an angel's glory, as comprehending with my intellect and embracing in affections an extent of creation compared with which the earth is a point; when I think of myself, as looking on the outward universe with an organ of vision that will reveal to me a beauty, harmony and order not now to be imagined, and as having an access to the minds of the wise and good, which will make them in a sense my own; when I think of myself as forming friendships with innumerable beings of rich and various intellect and of the noblest virtue, as introduced to the society of heaven, as meeting there the great and excellent of whom I have read in history, as joined with the "just made perfect" in an ever-enlarging ministry of benevolence, as conversing with Jesus Christ with the familiarity of friendship, and especially as having an immediate intercourse with God, such as the closest intimacies of earth dimly shadow forth; when this thought of my future being comes to me, whilst I hope, I also fear; the blessedness seems too great; the consciousness of present weaknesses and unworthiness is almost too strong for hope. But when, in this frame of mind, I look around on the creation and see there marks of an omnipotent goodness, to which nothing is impossible, and from which every thing may be hoped; when I see around me the proofs of an infinite Father, who must desire the perpetual progress of his intellectual offspring; when I look next at the human mind, and see what powers a few years have unfolded, and discern in it the capacity for everlasting improvement; and especially when I look at Jesus, the conqueror of death, the heir of immortality, who has gone as the fore-runner of mankind into the mansions of light and purity, I can and do admit the almost overpowering thought of the everlasting life, growth and felicity of the human soul.

To each of us, my friends, is this felicity offered; a good which turns to darkness and worthlessness the most favored lot on earth. I say, it is offered. It cannot be forced upon us; from its nature, it must be won. Immortal happiness is nothing more than the unfolding of our own minds; the full bright exercise of our best powers; and these powers are never to be unfolded but through our own free exertion. To anticipate a higher existence whilst we neglect our own souls, is a delusion on which reason frowns no less than revelation. Dream not of a heaven into which you may enter, live here as you may. To such as waste the present state, the future will not, cannot bring happiness. There is no concord between them and that world of purity. A human being, who has lived without God and self-improvement, can no more enjoy Heaven, than a mouldering body, lifted from the tomb and placed amidst beautiful prospects, can enjoy the light through its decayed eyes, or feel the balmy air which blows its dust away. My hearers, immortality is a glorious doctrine; but not given us for speculation and amusement. Its happiness is to be realized only through our own struggles with ourselves; only through our own reaching forward to new virtue and piety. To be joined with Christ in Heaven, we must be joined with him now in spirit, in the conquest of temptation, in charity and well doing. Immortality should begin here. The seed is now to be sown, which is to expand forever. "Be not weary in well doing, for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not."—Channing.