Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

ance was denied; he rose silently upon the air, and their forms gradually receded from his sight.

each will be a new foundation, or source of pleasure or enjoyment. These sources must be opening through all eternity; and yet, through all eternity, there While in golden clouds, he found will still remain, in the absolute per- himself swiftly mounting the skies fections of the Godhead, an infinity of with a venerable figure at his side, them to be opened!" Hence it is, that guiding his mysterious movements, in the Christian, in the progress of his whose countenance he remarked the history, lives three lives-first, a life of lineaments of youth and old age blended sense, or nature; then a life of faith; together with an intimate harmony and, lastly and eternally, a life of glory. and majestic sweetness. They traveled Dr. Doddridge, the celebrated author together through a vast space, until, of the commentary on the New Testa- at length, the towers of a glorious ediment, spent many happy hours in re-fice appeared in the distance; and as ligious conversation with Dr. Clarke, its form arose brilliant and distinct an intimate friend. Among other mat- among the far-off shadows across their ters, a very favorite topic was the in- path, the guide informed him that the termediate state of the soul. They palace he beheld was, for the present, were of the opinion that at the instant to be his mansion of rest. Shortly of dissolution the soul was not imme. they were at the door, where they endiately introduced into the presence of tered. The guide introduced him into all the heavenly host, nor into the full a spacious apartment, at the extremity glory of the heavenly state. One even- of which stood a table, covered with a ing, after a conversation of this nature, snow-white cloth, a golden cup, and a Dr. Doddridge retired to rest with his cluster of grapes; and then said he mind full of the subject discussed; and must now leave him, but that he must in "the visions of the night," while remain, for he would receive, in a short the eyes of the body were closed in time, a visit from the Lord of the mansleep, he, in a certain sense, passed into sion, and that during the interval beanother life, and by another power, as fore his arrival the apartment would yet unknown to mortals, he saw, heard, furnish him with sufficient entertainand acted. ment and instruction. The guide vanished and he was left alone. He began to examine the decorations of the room, and observed that the walls were adorned with a number of pictures. Upon nearer inspection he found, to his astonishment, that they formed a complete biography of his own life. Here he saw upon the canvas that angels, though unseen, had ever been his familiar attendants, and, sent by God, they had sometimes preserved him from imminent peril. He beheld himself first represented as an infant just expiring, when his life was prolonged by an angel breathing into his nostrils. Most of the occurrences delineated were perefectly familiar to his recollection, and unfolded many things which he

In his dream, he was at the house of his friend, where he was suddenly taken ill. By degrees, he seemed to himself to grow worse, and at last to expire. In an instant he was sensible that he had passed into another and higher state of existence. He had exchanged a state of mortality and suffering for one of immortality and happiness. Embodied in an aerial form, he seemed to float in a region of pure light. There was naught below but the melancholy group of his friends weeping around his lifeless remains. Himself thrilled with joy, he was surprised at their tears, and attempted to inform them of his happy change, but by some mysterious power utter

had never before understood, and which | He pressed with his finger the juice of had perplexed him with many doubts and much uneasiness.

Among others, he was particularly struck with a picture in which he was represented as falling from his horse, when death would have been inevitable had not an angel received him in his arms, and broken the force of his descent. These merciful interpositions of God filled him with joy and gratitude, and his heart overflowed with love as he surveyed in them all an exhibition of goodness and mercy far beyond all that he had imagined. Suddenly his attention was arrested by a rap at the door-the Lord of the mansion had arrived. The door opened and he entered. So powerful and so overwhelming, and withal, of such singular beauty was his appearance, that he sunk down at his feet completely overcome by his majestic appearance. His Lord gently raised him from the ground, and, taking him by the band, led him forward to the table.

grapes into the golden cup, and, after having himself drank, presented it to him, saying: "This is the new wine in my Father's kingdom." No sooner had he partaken than all uneasy sensation vanished; perfect love had cast out fear, and he conversed with his Savior as an intimate friend. Like the silver rippling of a summer sea, he heard from his lips the grateful approbation, "Thy labors are over, thy work is approved; rich and glorious is the reward."

Thrilled with an unspeakable bliss that glided over his spirit and slid into the very depths of his soul, he suddenly saw glories upon glories bursting upon his view. The doctor awoke. Tears of rapture from his joyful interview were rolling down his cheeks. Long did the lively impressions of his charming dream remain upon his mind, and never could he speak of it without emotions of joy and tenderness.

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors]

PSALM

XXX:

verse 5.

[ocr errors]

let not the pit shut

And hide not thy face,

[ocr errors]

for

Let not the water-flood overflow me, her mouth upon me. I am in trouble: hear me speedily. Ps. LXIX: 15, 17.- To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Luke 1: 79.

DEEP in the cavern's gloom of rayless night, No sound of life without, no gleam of light; The waters gathering round with icy chill, What terrors now their anxious bosoms fill! On every hand they looked for aid in vain, One voice alone their sinking souls sustain; Darkness around, above, below the wave;

The celebrated Mammoth Cave, of Kentucky, about ninety miles southwest from Louisville, in that State, has long been an object of curiosity to travelers. It is said to extend thirteen miles into the bowels of the earth. It consists of a kind of labyrinth of passages, magnificent chambers, several rivers or streams, the largest of which is about a quarter of a mile in width, and deep enough to float a large steamboat. This stream is about five miles from the entrance of the cave, and pursues its dark

They call on God, for God alone can save. They call aloud, they strain the listening ear, At last, far distaut, glimmering lights appear; Deliverance comes, like sunshine through the gloom,

And leads them safely through their living tomb.

and solitary course, which the adventurous visitor is compelled to navigate in a boat.

"On one occasion," says a recent writer, "a party of young men, under the conduct of a guide, and suitably provided with torches, spent some hours in exploring this cavern, and while moving over this subterraneous stream in their frail boat, gave a loose rein to their exuberant spirits, and laughed and sung until they made the overhanging arches echo with their merriment. In thought

lessness they rocked the boat from side | appears; they are received into ais to side, when in a moment it was cap- boat, exhausted with terror and fatigue, sized, and they were thrown into the and soon they are conveyed to a place dark waters. The boat floated from of safety. The sudden revulsion of them, their torches were extinguished, feeling overpowers them; they alterthey were in impenetrable darkness, nately weep, and are transported with and far from human aid. Although re- joy; they are saved. gaining their feet, they were submerged nearly to their necks, and, alarmed and chilled, they felt that their exertions could avail nothing for their

rescue.

The guide, with ready presence of mind, swam round them, encouraged them to retain their self-possession, and warned them of the certain peril of moving a single step. They were told that their only hope was in remaining still until the other guide, after a lapse of hours, might become alarmed at their long absence and come to their rescue. Can imagination picture a more frightful scene than was here presented? Midnight darkness enveloped them, the cold waters chilled their blood, no cries for aid could be heard by those without, they might have to wait many hours before the alarmed fears of their friends would stimulate them to send help; their strength in the mean time might fail, and they be floated away on the dark river of death without leaving a vestige to tell their fate! What could they do? Lately gay and joyous, how sad and terrible their situation now! What! could they not make one effort for their safety? Not one. They could only pray, and pray they did, with deep earnestness, as men doomed to death, from which an Almighty power alone could deliver them. They were heard and sustained.

At length, after a weary waiting, they desery a glimmering light, and then they hear the faint strokes of disThey almost fear to trust their senses; they doubt, they fear, but they are not deceived; their deliverer

tant oars.

Have we no companion for this picture? Yes, it is but a resemblance of another still more thrilling. The sinner, in his gayety and thoughtlessness, dreams not of danger he laughs with the merry; he is enchanted with the scenes around him. Suddenly he finds himself in deep waters and surrounded by thick darkness. His struggles to extricate himself only involve him in greater danger. Horror overspreads his mind. Each moment threatens to plunge him into ruin. He cries aloud, but hears only the frightful echo of his own despairing shout. He feels his utter helplessness, and, in his extremity, pours out his tears and prayers.

How horrible thus to perish! But no; a small voice whispers in his ear, There is yet hope! He waits, but how tedious are the passing hours! Each moment seems an age. He is ready to abandon hope when a cheering light strikes upon his eye, and the voice of encouragement is heard; his heart is reassured. One mighty to save appears, and soon he is rescued from the deep waters. The light of a glorious day shines upon his soul; he feels, and is transported at the feeling, that he is saved. Sinner, have you felt no such terrors? You have cause to feel them. The danger is just as imminent whether you are sensible of it or not; and if you are not driven to this extremity here, you may expect to feel it in that world where there is no Savior, and where all will be irretrievably lost.

[ocr errors]

We, then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The engraving annexed is emblematic | to distinguish his remains from those of of the frailty and end of human great- a common beggar. His sword, and the ness, and the vanity of sublunary things. In the foreground is the skeleton, perhaps of some mighty warrior who has been the terror of mankind, and has received the homage of nations. He lies prostrate, and it would be difficult

chains by which he enslaved mankind, are broken; the hour-glass is also broken, showing that time with him is no longer. The very monuments which have been raised to perpetuate the remembrance of the mighty dead are crumbling

« EdellinenJatka »