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diff --git a/40443-8.txt b/40443-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 328f94a..0000000 --- a/40443-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5694 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spirit of God As Fire, by D. Mortimore - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Spirit of God As Fire - the Globe Within the Sun Our Heaven - -Author: D. Mortimore - -Release Date: August 8, 2012 [EBook #40443] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPIRIT OF GOD AS FIRE *** - - - - -Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - -Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. - -Archaic spelling and variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation -have been retained except in obvious cases of typographical error. - - - - - THE SPIRIT OF GOD AS FIRE; - - THE - - GLOBE WITHIN THE SUN - - OUR HEAVEN. - - REASONS FOR SUCH HYPOTHESIS FOUNDED UPON GOD'S - - OWN REVELATIONS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS - - THROUGH THE LIGHTS OF ASTRONOMY. - - BY - - D. MORTIMORE, M. D. - - PUBLISHED BY - - F. C. COOK & CO., NEW YORK. - - NEW YORK: - SHELDON & COMPANY, 498 & 500 BROADWAY. - - 1870. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by - - D. MORTIMORE, M. D., - - In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the - Western District of Tennessee. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - PREFACE 7 - - THE THEME 13 - - THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL AND A FUTURE - STATE OF EXISTENCE 18 - - THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE - OF GOD; OUR RELATIONS TO HIM, AND OF A - FUTURE STATE OR PLACE OF HABITATION 28 - - THE CREATION 30 - - THE SUN, THE SOURCE OF LIGHT AND HEAT 33 - - WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD 35 - - THE DISCOVERIES OF THE MOTION OF THE EARTH - AND HEAVENLY BODIES 43 - - THE ROMISH CHURCH 51 - - GHASTLY REVELATIONS 61 - - ATTRACTION, GRAVITATION, &C. 73 - - SUNS, STARS, PLANETS, &C. 75 - - FIXED STARS ARE SUNS 89 - - A CONTEMPLATION 96 - - THE SUN,--AND GLOBE WITHIN 100 - - THE PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM 108 - - GOD'S THRONE SHALL ENDURE FOREVER; SO ALSO - SHALL THE SUN. SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE FOR - ALL THAT WE CLAIM 118 - - SUN AND HEAVEN 141 - - A PLURALITY OF HEAVENS 145 - - A PLACE FOR THE WICKED 150 - - THE NATURE OF THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY - WORLD 166 - - THAT HEAVENLY WORLD 169 - - THE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY OF THE CITY--THERE - IS ROOM FOR ALL, AND TO SPARE 175 - - THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THE HEAVENLY - WORLD 179 - - THE VAST NUMBERS OF THE ANGELS 183 - - AMAZING STRENGTH OF ANGELS 184 - - RAPIDITY OF MOVEMENT OF THE ANGELS 185 - - CERTAINTY OF A RESURRECTION 190 - - THE RESURRECTION 195 - - A SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION 201 - - THE FINAL JUDGMENT 205 - - A HOME IN HEAVEN 206 - - CONCLUSIVE AND CONCLUDING ARGUMENT 211 - - WILL ALL TAKE HEED? 215 - - APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN MINISTERS 218 - - APPEAL TO ALL 237 - - - - -PREFACE. - - -In presenting this volume to the "intelligence of the world," the -author is fully aware of the incredulity with which it may meet in -many literary minds. Nevertheless, the truths which it contains will -remain unmarred by the salient attacks of "critics," when they have -passed away and have ceased to be remembered. Thus it has ever been -with the discovery of all great and important truths, from the -creation of man down to the present day. For more than eighteen -hundred years now past, the succession of a once prominent race have -disbelieved in the Messiahship of Christ. And even the Christian world -are still divided in their belief as to a Trinity in Unity. - -Some three hundred years ago, the great and learned philosopher and -astronomer, Galileo, made an ascent in the empire of mind and science, -and promulgated immutable truths founded upon the laws of creation, -emanating from God himself; yet these were, for a time, disbelieved, -and, through the bigotry of a controlling Priesthood, he was even -forced to renounce them before a court of "Cardinals" of the Romish -Church, sitting as "_inquisitors against heretical depravity_" at the -city of Rome; and at the venerable age of seventy years, to accept the -sentence to a dungeon for life, in the "Inquisition;" and yet these -same truths have universally prevailed. So, also, are there -unbelievers to-day, in the existence of a God, and the immortality of -the soul--the truth of which all Christians, and even heathens, -believe. - -We, therefore, feel that in advancing a new theory, especially one of -such magnitude and import, that we shall meet more or less opposition; -but we are willing to abide time's inevitable changes, in advancing -the mind to grasp and comprehend truths which God himself has revealed -for our contemplation. Still, we believe that there are many millions -who are now ready to comprehend and believe, and are only waiting for -a little additional light, or the grouping together of facts founded -on the revelations of God, and examined in the light of a true -science. - -Philosophers and astronomers have advanced the idea of "a plurality of -suns, and a plurality of worlds," and have sustained this theory by -the most convincing evidence. This lays the foundation for a further -advance in the contemplation of the wonderful works of the Creator, -and justifies the hypothesis of a _plurality of heavens_; and we think -the revelations of God, and revelations through the science of -astronomy, will sustain the additional hypothesis that within what are -denominated "suns" there are vast globes or worlds, separate and apart -from the surrounding _photosphere of ethereal fire_, and that within -what we denominate our sun, _is our heaven_. - -We have, therefore, penned the following pages with this impression -fixed in our mind, and send this volume forth to encounter the -enlightenment of the age, to be sifted and weighed in the _sieve_ and -_scale_ of intellect; and, relying on the Word of God and His -revelations to man, we feel satisfied that when the ordeal is past, we -shall still have remaining "full measure and weight." - -In order to afford a more perfect comprehension of the "wonderful -works of God," and of His revelations to man, we have, necessarily, -availed ourselves largely of the results of the science of astronomy, -quoting the writings and conclusions of various eminent authors, -giving due credit therefor; and to them the author acknowledges his -indebtedness for statistical data and facts which could not otherwise -be obtained by any single individual. Grouping these together as -assistant lamps, we have relied, mainly, upon the Word of God, and His -revelations, as found recorded in the Bible, and evidences manifest in -perceptible and visible nature around us, while we trust that all we -have written will the more forcibly impress the mind with deep -humility, and with awe and reverence for the Great Jehovah, who -created all by the "Word of His power." - -We have endeavored to avoid sectarian issues, as to Protestant -communities, throughout the world--save our own convictions of -immutable truth in regard to the true principles of Christianity, and -that salvation is offered alike freely to _all_, and that by due -repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, all may -come to the knowledge of His Truth, and "know the Lord, whom to know -aright is eternal life." And, believing as we do, that every soul is -held alike accountable to God alone--and in nowise to Pope, Bishops, -or Priests--there were historical facts connected with our subject, -which, we thought, justified our strictures on the Romish Church, and -these it may be well for Protestants to consider. - -We, therefore, dedicate this volume to the - - PROTESTANT WORLD, - -and, while we acknowledge our inability to do the subject ample -justice; yet--hoping we have been made the humble instrument, under -the direction of Divine Providence, of opening up to the mind a new -field for profitable contemplation--we ask for it a candid perusal, in -the spirit of prayer and Christian leniency, commending all to a -careful consideration of the words of the _Psalmist_: - - "By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the - hosts of them by the breath of his mouth. - - "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament - sheweth His handy work. - - "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they - shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." - - THE AUTHOR. - - - - -THE THEME. - - -The theme we are now about to contemplate is one of deepest interest -to the human mind. If we can fathom and unfold the mystery--as we -believe we shall--by analogy, founded in the light of _reason_, Divine -revelations, and the lights afforded us by the science of Astronomy, -and give tangibility to the--hitherto--chaos of the mind upon the -subject, we may lay the foundation for a more comprehensive and -intimate knowledge of God, the great Creator of all things, and this -knowledge should lead to more speedily Christianizing the world. - -God has made himself manifest in everything, and to every individual. -Nature yields to this manifestation, yet does not comprehend it. Even -man, the human family--the only creatures of a high order of -intelligence placed by Him upon this earth--seem not to have risen to -that comprehension of knowledge to which they should attain from his -lessons of the Past, as well as those of the Present, and which -lessons are renewed unto us day by day. - -Our principal theme is that of _the place of our future -existence--especially_ HEAVEN. - -We approach the subject with fear and trembling, asking wisdom and -Divine aid of Him who hath said, "Seek and ye shall find," and of whom -it is written, "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and it shall -be given him." - -We know that we cannot throw that flood-tide of light upon the subject -that the theme demands, yet we may be the humble instrument, under -direction of Divine Providence, to mark out a path through the -wilderness of doubt, along which may shine, or through which the "eye -of faith" may catch, a ray of light from the bright "celestial -throne," which may induce others--more able minds and giant -intellects--to step forth, wielding mightily "the sword of the -spirit," and open out to the mind a plainer path, as the "king's -highway," leading up to that celestial world, to glory and to God. - -We believe that if a reasonable, tangible idea of the constant -presence of God with us prevailed, as also of the heavenly world, and -the glories that shall be revealed; the nature of the soul of man; -from whence derived; the certainty that it must endure forever; the -requirements of the law of God; the certainty of the judgment; who is -to be the judge; the certainty that no error can be committed in His -judgment; no influences can be brought to bear to defeat the ends of -justice; that the righteous shall be adjudged to the enjoyment of -happiness and eternal life; the wicked be "banished from the presence -of God, and from the glory of His power," "to dwell in everlasting -flame, and languish in eternal fire," and that this righteous judgment -will never be revoked, but stand immutable as God Himself--on and on -through all eternity--we say we believe if this could be fully -comprehended by finite minds, the time would not be distant "when all -_would_ come to a knowledge of the truth, and know the Lord, whom to -know aright is eternal life." This knowledge should not be sought -through fear alone, but mainly through love to God, and faith in His -Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and from the delights we feel in our -consciousness of the constant presence of God--by His Spirit--with us; -stimulated by love to our fellow-men; love of all Nature around us; -love of the wonderful works of the creative power of the -Omnipotent--even the vast wonders of His creations throughout His own -native Empire. - -May we not? Can we not know more of all this? We are not forbidden to -investigate, to found reason on His revelations. Nay, He hath said, -"search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and -these are they which testify of Me." - -We do not propose the building of a "Tower" like unto that of _Babel_, -for He hath said, "not by _might_, but by my _Spirit_." Therefore, by -the manifestations of His Spirit, which becomes sufficiently -enlightening, when properly comprehended, we will endeavor to throw a -faint--if not a flood-light from that eternal world into the eye of -_faith_. And, if we cannot, like the martyr Stephen, "see Heaven -opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God," or -ascend to it with "Elijah in a chariot of flaming fire," we may, by -the mind's eye of faith, "see through the vail darkly," yet with -sufficient light to direct us, and guide our wandering footsteps in -the path that leads to that "bright clime," where the "glory of God" -is the light of that heavenly world. - -Our theme necessarily leads us forth through trackless realms of -boundless space, where, with the mind's eye, we shall behold with -wonder and amazement some of the vast creations of the Omnipotent -power of God; such as will inspire the mind, and fill it with awe and -reverence for the Great Jehovah. We shall have a panoramic view of -millions of Suns--_Heavens_--planets, and worlds, standing out, or -careering through ethereal regions; peopling the realms of illimitable -space. We shall comprehend more fully the diminutiveness of this -earth; on which we dwell, as compared to the vast creations brought -forth by the "Word of His power," and of our own nothingness before -Him, while all must inspire us, not only with awe, but with gratitude -and love for His merciful provision for our redemption, and for -regaining "an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that -fadeth not away." - - - - -_THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE._ - - -The Bible--now "The Book of the World"--is God's own revelation to -man. That it was penned by holy men of God, who wrote as they were -inspired, has been fully manifested by the fulfilment of prophecies; -many of which were miracles, and others--in their accomplishment--awful -and fearful judgments. Hence, none can doubt its authenticity as God's -own revelation to man. It is our only history of the wonderful -creations emanating from the Great First Cause; especially the -creation of _man_; his mortal, as well as his immortal nature. From -this history we learn that - - "God created man in his own image; in the image of God - created he him; male and female created he them. And God - breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man - became a living soul." - -Now, man is here spoken of in the plural: hence, the whole race--the -entire human family, are included, and this living principle, -emanating from God himself, partakes of his own immortal nature, and -can never cease or be extinguished. Therefore, the soul, or spirit of -man, must continue to endure through all eternity. - -The belief in a future state of existence has obtained in all ages; -even in the dark regions of heathen lands, where the light of -Christianity has never yet shed its radiance, and where missionaries -have never penetrated. The mind of man--the thinking principle of -human intelligence--seems to have comprehended this great truth; even -where Christianity, founded upon Bible truths, is unknown. Indeed, the -idea of the immortality of the soul of man seems _inherent_. For, go -where we may, among the aborigines of every heathen clime, even from -the Islands of the Bahamas to Hindostan, India, Japan, and China; the -savage tribes of South America, the red tribes of our own continent, -or even the black races of Africa--all hold the idea of a future state -of existence. True, they may not have formed correct opinions as to -the nature of the place to which they expect to be transported, nor of -the felicities to be enjoyed there; yet all have the idea of a future -state, and it has ever prevailed. - -If we trace history back to the ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the -Scythians, the Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans; indeed, with all nations -of which history gives us any knowledge, we find that it has ever -prevailed. Plato, Socrates, and Demosthenes held the doctrine of the -immortality of the soul, and of a future state of existence; while -such belief almost universally prevails in every land and clime where -civilization and Christianity are known. Thus we see it an inherent -law of human nature, and, in the minds of all, there is "a longing -after _immortality_." - -May we not ask, from whence comes this intuition, that all feel that -death to the body is not the end of existence? Is it not that immortal -spirit-life which God breathed into our first parents? that -_spirit-fire_ which is eternal in its nature? that which can never be -quenched nor extinguished? - -The Patriarchs, the Prophets, and Seers of old realized that here they -had no abiding place, and that they were but pilgrims and strangers on -the earth. We are told that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired a better -country, and looked forward to a heavenly one. Paul tells us "these -all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having -seen them afar off." See how Moses submitted to sufferings, and -endured privations; yet in all these he "had respect unto the -recompense of reward." - -How many of those worthy ancients suffered persecutions in various -ways for their acts of piety? even cruel mockings, scourgings, bonds, -and imprisonments. Some were cruelly tortured, others were stoned, -and still others sawed asunder; and yet under all these trials, and -even scourgings unto death, they held firm in the faith of a living -God, a future existence, and "a sure recompense of reward." - -See Job, that faithful servant of the living God, how his faith was -sorely tried by all manner of afflictions. His flocks and herds -destroyed; his wealth dissipated; while disease, painful and -loathsome, preyed upon him. His sufferings and agonies were so intense -that all his friends believed him cursed of God, and forsook him; and -even his wife--who had enjoyed the fruits of his efforts in life, -reviled his integrity of faith, and scornfully told him to "curse God -and die." - -But let us hear this patient, suffering child of God: - - "_True_, my flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; - my skin is broken and become loathsome, and I feel as though - I would not live alway. Yet all the days of my appointed - time will I wait, until my change comes, _and even_ though - He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. I know that I shall be - justified. For He shall be my salvation. If a man die he - shall live again. And now, behold my witness is in heaven, - and my record is on high. For I know that my Redeemer - liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the - earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh - shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes - shall behold." - -Where! oh, where, hath such faith been shown! And his faith being -sorely tried and found true and unwavering, his God came to his -relief, restored him to health, and blessed him--even more abundantly -than before; after which he lived an hundred and forty years and died -in peace. - -Here we see, that, long anterior to the coming of Christ, Job declared -that he knew his Redeemer was then living, and that in the "latter -days" he should "stand on the earth." See this truthful evidence of -the Son of God coming down from heaven to ransom and redeem fallen -man! - -The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, who should "ransom -his people from the power of the grave," and "redeem them from the -second death." - -The sweet singer of Israel, looking forward to coming ages, through -the vista of revelations, breaks forth in rapturous confidence-- - - "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive - me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is - none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Though my heart - and my flesh fail me, yet Thou art the strength of my heart - and my portion forever." - -The prophet Isaiah declares, - - "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall - they arise." - - And, calling in spirit unto the silent dead, he saith: - - "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust, * * the earth - shall cast out her dead." - -In fulfilment of prophesy, the Son of God came as the "plague of -death" and "destruction of the grave." His advent into the world was -signalized by a "star in the East," guiding the wise men--who were -looking for his coming--to the "town of Bethlehem, where lay the babe -in the manger." While an angel, commissioned by the Father, announced -his arrival, and "good tidings of great joy" to the shepherds who were -watching their flocks by night upon the plains of Judea, saying, "Unto -you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ -the Lord." "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the -heavenly host, praising God," and, as a heavenly choir, sounding the -loud anthem, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good -will toward men." This was "Him of whom Moses in the law, and the -prophets did write," even the "Sun of righteousness," whose coming was -foretold by the prophet Malachi. - -By his teachings, and miracles wrought in after life, he proved his -origin and mission. But this mission could not be fully accomplished -until he should conquer death, hell, and the grave, and "bring life -and immortality to light through his own Gospel." Finally, the day -and the hour came for its complete fulfilment. Borne down with the -weight of the sins of a guilty world, he prayed his Father to -strengthen him, while "in agony he sweat great drops of blood." - -See him ascending the rugged steeps of Calvary, bearing his own cross, -upon which his human nature must expire between Heaven and Earth. -Nailed to that cross, he hung upon it in painful agony, and for three -dreadful hours the sun, the source of light, was veiled, "and there -was darkness over all the land," and about the ninth hour, his -humanity "cried with a loud voice, my God, my God, why hast thou -forsaken me!" and gave up the ghost. "And behold the vail of the -temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did -quake, and the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened, and many -bodies of the saints which slept, arose." - -Now, while his lifeless body was still suspended upon the cross, the -work was not yet complete until the Roman soldier approached and -plunged his spear into his side, and thus Baptized the world in a -fountain of Blood. And, through faith in him, that is the only -fountain that can wash our guilty stains away, and present us purified -before his Throne. - -Mark you the circumstances as they then transpired. The sun was -veiled, and "darkness prevailed over all the earth, from the sixth -until the ninth hour," and it was at the ninth hour he cried, "It is -finished and gave up the ghost." It was his mission "to bring life and -immortality to light." God, the Father, had veiled the sun, that the -earth should be in utter darkness. May it not have been the first act -of His son's immortality--after this tragic scene--to unveil the sun, -and throw its light--under a new dispensation--upon the world? But he -had come to conquer "death, hell, and the grave," "and lead captivity -captive." His body was placed in a sepulchre; from whence he had said -he would rise on the third day. The Priests and Pharisees remembering -this, besought Pilate, who commanded that the sepulchre be made -secure, which was done by a great stone under seal, and a guard -stationed over it, that no one might approach by day or by night. But, -behold, on the morning of the third day, an "angel of the Lord -appeared from heaven," whose descent caused a great earthquake, who -"rolled back the stone and sat upon it; and his countenance was like -lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the -keepers did shake and became as dead men." The angel said unto the two -Marys, "I know ye seek Jesus, which was crucified; He is not here, for -he is risen." - -Thus, behold his triumph! He burst the bands of death asunder, and -rushing forth from the tyrant's grasp, shouted in triumph over this -last enemy, "Oh, death where is thy sting? Oh, grave where is thy -victory?" "I am the resurrection and the life." "I am he that liveth -and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and have the keys of -hell and of death." Thus the fulfilment of prophesy and the promise, -that he should become the first fruits of them that slept. - -We have subsequent evidence of his resurrection, where he appeared in -the midst of his disciples, when they had met in their private chamber -and had closed the door. But there have been doubters, and -unbelievers, in all ages--even though confirmative evidences have been -strong and plain. So, also, was there one in that little assembly. -Poor Thomas could not believe, even though his Lord and Master stood -before him; but the Saviour, full of tender compassion, said to him: -"Come, place thy fingers in the nail prints, and thrust thy hand into -the opening made by the soldier's spear in my side, and be not -faithless, but believing." - -Now while God through his prophet hath said, "There is a spirit in -man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding," -revelation is replete with evidence that "though a man die, yet shall -he live again." Christ, the Son of God, illustrated his power in -uttering the command, "Lazarus, come forth," and he that had been dead -four days, whose mortality was fast decomposing and yielding to -corruption, arose again into life. Thus in the days of his -incarnation, he manifested his power by the miracles he wrought in -numerous instances of restoring sight to the blind, causing the deaf -to hear; the dumb to speak; the lame to walk; healing the sick; -cleansing the leprous, and bringing the dead to life again: while, in -the power of his own resurrection, he made triumphantly manifest the -immortality of the soul; and the entire New Testament scriptures -abound with evidences that through Him "life and immortality have been -brought to light." Thus we see that the immortality of the soul, and a -future state of existence are plainly manifest. - - - - -_POSSIBILITY OF A MORE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; OUR RELATIONS TO -HIM,--AND OF A FUTURE STATE OR PLACE OF HABITATION._ - - -We believe that God himself has furnished us evidences through which -we should gain a more intimate knowledge of him; of our relations to -him, and of our future state and place of habitation. - -In sustaining this belief, and the hypothesis we have already -advanced, as to the location of heaven,--to which we shall also add -our views as to the location of _hell_,--we shall rely mainly upon the -revelations of God, as found recorded in the Bible. Should we not -furnish positive, we believe we _shall_ furnish strong _circumstancial_, -evidence which will as forcibly impress the minds of our readers with -the correctness of our theory, as it has our own, upon the -investigation of it. With this we shall grasp, and intermingle, the -evidences afforded by the science of astronomy; the mighty -revelations of the wondrous works of God as now revealed to us by the -aid of the _telescope_. - -We know that some of the most learned theologians and ablest divines, -of the past, as also many of the present age, have written, and have -labored hard--theoretically--to point out to the mind's eye the -locality of heaven, fixed somewhere in illimitable space. But, as yet, -their most profound efforts, aided though they might have been by the -lights afforded through the science of astronomy; the Bible, and all -nature around them as assistants to their own brilliant imaginations, -have failed to satisfy, even themselves, and all has resolved itself -back again into doubt and uncertainty, leaving the minds of all -bewildered with ideas as numerous, yet as vague and uncertain as -mystery itself. And yet we believe we have within, and all around us, -evidences which, if properly considered and comprehended, may shed -true light upon the subject, and give to us ideas and faith more -reasonable and tangible than any heretofore contemplated. - - - - -_THE CREATION._ - - -Let us now make some investigations of the evidences given us in the -Bible in regard to creation. No one ever has, no finite mind ever can -fully comprehend the creative power of the Almighty; nor can we form -an idea of the time, in the remote past, when creation, "by the word -of His power" commenced. - -We learn from Bible history, that "In the beginning God created the -Heavens and the Earth." Now as to the time when that "beginning" was, -we can form no positive idea. It is as reasonable to suppose it to -have been untold millions of years ago, as at any later period. So far -as this earth on which we dwell is concerned, it is but as an _atom_ -when compared to the productions of His creative power; and of the -time when this atom was created, no one knoweth. Geologists, tracing -effects back to causes, agree on the fair probability that the -earth--this globe and its solid elements--have been in process of -change and formation, many thousands, and possibly millions, of years. -These students understand, in a great measure, the laws which govern -and control such formation in nature, and have data for their -conclusions. As for the time when God created man to dwell on this -earth, we need not now stop to investigate. - -But, continuing this history, we read: - - "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was - upon the face of the great deep. And the Spirit of God moved - upon the face of the waters; and God said, Let there be - light; and there was light." - -Thus we see that the _Spirit_ of God was then, as it ever has been, -and still is, the _source_ of light. Now, to our finite comprehension, -the Sun is the source of light and heat; or, rather that which we -denominate the Sun is a vast body or volume of intense heat, and -heat--or that which we denominates _fire_--is, to us, the source of -light. That God's spirit is fire, and light, we shall be able to show -in our further contemplation of the subject - -The Psalmist tells us that: - - "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the - hosts of them by the breath of his mouth." - -Job tells us that: - - "A flame goeth out of his mouth and God by his spirit - garnished the heavens." - -Now let us bear these facts in mind: that the Psalmist speaks of a -plurality of heavens made by the word and breath of God, while Job -also tells us of a plurality of heavens, and that "a flame goeth out -of his mouth," and "God by his Spirit garnished the heavens." - -We know that God is the Great First Cause, and the Creator of all -things that exist. He created the Heavens and the Earth, Suns, Moons, -Planets, and Stars, and all pertaining thereunto; as, also, the -firmament of the heavens, in which all are placed; and while all come -forth at His command, or by His word, yet we are plainly told, that -His breath, or Spirit, was the active agency in this mighty creation. - -When we come to investigate the nature of this active -agency--Spirit--we find that it is _fire_, a principle, or element -which pervades all nature; one which is indestructible--can never be -destroyed--and yet an element of destruction; indeed, one of seeming -annihilation. Now, seeing that the element of fire pervades all -things, so also are we told, that God's Spirit is everywhere. - - - - -THE SUN--THE SOURCE OF LIGHT AND HEAT. - - -First, acknowledging God--the Supreme, Infinite, and Eternal One--as -the Great First Cause, and Author of all things created, we all know -that the Sun is the mainspring of animated Nature. Without its genial -rays, the present system of Earth's government could not endure, and -life itself would soon disappear from our globe. It is the source of -light and heat--the two great stimulants of vital force. - -Now, so far as we can comprehend, the _Sun_ is the immediate or direct -source of light and heat--or fire--hence, the source of animated -existence of all pertaining to this Earth; and so, also, as we -believe, to all the other planets, or worlds belonging to our solar -system, or within the Sun's vast domain. That source is fixed and -permanent, and is ever the same; neither increasing nor diminishing, -although constantly dispensing its influence to all around it. - -Its source is eternal, and it is, evidently, an attribute of Jehovah, -and the time of its past existence we cannot comprehend, nor can we -believe otherwise than that it will continue to exist through all -eternity. We believe it one of God's eternal lamps, placed by His own -Omnipotent power to light up the sphere which He has appointed unto -it, and to give its warmth and animation to this, and all other worlds -belonging to its domain. Cast your eye upward at noon-day, when no -clouds intervene, and behold that brilliant orb, whose light pales -that of all else, and seems to make all dark in illimitable space -beyond its own empire. Look at it but for one second of time only, for -a steady gaze at that bright flame for one minute alone, is fatal to -the sight of the eyes. - -There _is_ "a dimning veil" to mortal vision, which hides the glories -of that _inner world_ from our sight; even those resplendent glories -which, while yet in the body, we can contemplate only by the eye of -faith. - - - - -_WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD._ - - -We now propose to devote a short time to the contemplation of some of -the wonderful works of the Creator, as we see them displayed in the -firmament, and standing out in illimitable space, and, with the aids -afforded us by that most exact of all sciences--astronomy--we hope to -unveil mysteries, long since revealed by the revelations of God; yet, -hitherto, not fully comprehended. These seeming mysteries, we shall -endeavor to assist you to analyze by the light of God's own -revelations. In order to our purpose, we shall avail ourselves of the -writings of some of the most scientific, and eminent astronomers the -world has ever known, even from the early days of Anaximander and -Pythagoras, down to the times of Copernicus and Galileo, when feeble -rays of light seemed to break in upon the intellect and mind of man, -and from thence, the flood-lights which have been thrown in upon us by -the Herschels,--the leading stars of the empire of this science,--and -calling to our aid La Lande, Maury, Guillemin, Lardner, Darwin, Owen -and Olmsted, and many others equally known to fame. Yet in our -present effort, we shall rely mainly upon that master mind in -compilation, Dr. Child, of England, who has grouped together the -leading facts of discoveries, in order to incite the mind to the -contemplation of the wonderful works of the Creator, that all -intelligences of the world may be induced to join in with the three -Hebrew Children, in "praising and magnifying the name of the Lord." We -find, upon examination of the works of various leading authors, that -his statements are as nearly correct as any compilation well could be, -while, with a mind seemingly inspired for the work, his delineations -are so graphic, sublime and beautiful, we shall take data, and quote -freely from his writings, especially wherein he dwells upon the -"Heavens," "Sun," "Moon" and "Stars," adding as we pass along, such -reflections crowding upon our mind as we deem appropriate; and we -think that in the contemplation of the subject now before us, that ere -we have finished this feature of it, all will be ready to exclaim with -the Psalmist, truly, - - "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament - sheweth his handy work." - -Dr. Child says, "Among all the sights the eye can look upon, nothing -is comparable to the Heavens for the sentiment with which they charm -the mind. The language they speak comes to us from remote mysterious -worlds; but, though it may be imperfectly understood, it is at least -universally felt. The great and the small--the civilized man and the -savage, the philosopher, the divine, and the illiterate or humble -citizen--all feel their influence, and are from time to time -irresistibly drawn toward them by mingled emotions of admiration, -gratitude and awe, such as none of the other features of nature can -excite in an equal degree. - -"So strongly, however, is the idea of the 'incomprehensible' -associated by many with the mysteries of the firmament, that they are -habitually prone to regard the teachings of astronomers as little else -than scientific guess-work. Nevertheless, the best intellects in all -countries assure us, and demonstrate before our eyes, that, within -certain limits, Astronomy is the most exact and perfect of sciences, -and that, even when it deals with distances and magnitudes, which are -practically inconceivable, its conclusions, though often claiming to -be approximative only, have yet no affinity whatever with guess-work. -Let such sceptics think of the certainty with which sidereal events -are predicted beforehand. Let them reflect on the evidence of the most -exact knowledge of the heavenly bodies involved in the calculation of -eclipses, in fixing the very moment when the moon's dark outline shall -begin to creep over the sun's bright disk; marking its progress to the -highest maximum, and its waning--giving the moment when the last -visible shadow will disappear--predicting the instant when a planet's -light shall be extinguished behind our satellite. And yet even more -wonderful, the tracking of a comet's wanderings, millions of miles -beyond the far-off regions of Uranus, the foretelling the time of its -return after long years of absence! Do not these, and a thousand other -equally wonderful feats, attest both the soundness of the principles -on which the astronomer works, and the reasonableness of receiving his -assurances with confidence and trust, even though it may be impossible -for more than a few gifted minds to follow the calculations on which -they are based?" - -Examine the Nautical Almanac, published by the British Government, a -chart found on every sea-going vessel. On the trackless ocean it is -the mariner's guide, his trusted friend and counsellor. He may embark -upon a long voyage over the trackless ocean, to be absent for years, -yet through all this time, and in any part of the world he has his -truthful friend to consult, who will warn him of dangers, and direct -his ship in safety in every changeful clime. He left his native land -years ago, yet now far out amid ocean's waves, in a different -hemisphere, he consults this little chart of astronomers. He knows in -any and every latitude the time of eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and -of Jupiter's satellites, their sidereal positions, distances, etc. It -seems charged with messages from the skies for his guidance and -safety. - -"When we consider the acquisition of such rare and precious -knowledge--this mapping out beforehand, almost to a hair's-breadth, -the exact order and track in which the heavenly bodies will run their -course through space, and the precise relative position they will -occupy at any given moment, when they can be seen in any part of the -world--is not this convincing evidence of the correctness and -truthfulness of the science of astronomy?" - -But we have on record a more startling demonstration of its -correctness--we say "startling" because of its magnitude and -importance, and because when we come to examine suns, planets, and -worlds, through the lights of this science, when we contemplate their -distances, magnitudes, and numbers, we shall be startled by their -immensity, and exclaim: - - "How wonderful are Thy works, O Lord of Hosts!" - -"The year 1846 will ever be memorable for having witnessed one of the -most striking illustrations of the truth of Astronomy. Few can have -forgotten the astonishment with which the discovery of the planet -Neptune was then received, or the fact that it was due _not_ to a -lucky or accidental pointing of the telescope toward a particular -quarter of the heavens, but to positive calculations worked out in -the closet; thus proving that before the planet was seen by the eye, -it had already been grasped by the mind. The theory of its finding was -a triumph of human intellect. The distant Uranus--a planet hitherto -orderly and correct--begins to show unusual movements in its orbit. It -is, somehow, not exactly in the spot where, according to the best -calculations, it ought to have been, and the whole astronomical world -is thrown into perplexity. Two mathematicians, as yet but little known -to fame, living far apart in different countries, and acting -independently of each other, concentrate the force of their -penetrating intellects to find out the cause. The most obvious way of -accounting for the event, was to have inferred that some error in -previous computations had occurred; and in a matter so difficult, so -abstruse, and so far off, what could have been more probable or more -pardonable? But these astronomers knew that the laws of gravity were -fixed and sure, and that figures truly based on them could not -deceive. By profound calculations, each arrives at the conclusion that -nothing can account for the "perturbation" except the disturbing -influence of some hitherto unknown mass of matter, exerting its -attraction in a certain quarter of the Heavens. So implicit, so -undoubting is the faith of the French astronomer Leverrier, in the -truth of his deductions, that he requests a brother astronomer in -Berlin, Prussia, to look out for this mass at a special point in -space, on a particular night; and there, sure enough, the disturber -immediately discloses himself, and soon shows his title to be admitted -into the steady and orderly rank of his fellow-planets. The -coincidence of the two astronomers--Leverrier, of France, and Adams, -of England, arriving at this discovery through scientific -calculations, based upon knowledge derived from physical observation, -precludes every idea of guess-work, while such was the agreement -between their final deductions, that the point of the Heavens fixed -upon by both as the spot where the disturber lay, was almost -identical." "Such a discovery" says Arago, "is one of the most -brilliant manifestations of the exactitude of the system of modern -astronomy." - -Child continues: "Astronomy is without question, the grandest of -sciences. It deals with masses, distances, and velocities, which in -their immensity belong specially to itself alone, and of which the -mere conception transcends the utmost stretch of our finite faculties. -In no other branch of science is the limited grasp of our intellect -more forcibly brought home to us, yet, though baffled in the effort to -rise to the level of its requirements, our strivings are by no means -profitless. Is it not truly a precious privilege to be able to trace, -imperfect though it may be, the hand of the Almighty Architect in -these, His grandest works, and to obtain by this means a broader -consciousness of His Omnipotence? - -"Could each one be privileged to look through Herschel's telescope on a -clear night, and visibly behold the wonders of the Heavens, our faith -in the realities of astronomy would pass with a sudden bound from -theory into practice; planets and stars would become henceforth -distinct and solid existences in our minds, our doubts vanish, and our -belief settle into conviction. We should behold the mysterious moon of -our childhood, mapped into brilliant mountain-peaks, and dark -precipices, and softly lighted plains; we should see Jupiter shining -like another fair Luna, with attendant satellites moving round him in -their well-known paths; or turn with admiration to Saturn encircled by -his famous ring, with outlines as distinct as if that glorious -creation lay but a few miles distant. Perhaps we may behold the -beauteous Venus shining with resplendent circular disk, or curiously -passing through her many phases in mimic rivalry of the Moon. Or, -leaving these near neighbors far behind, we may penetrate more deeply -into space, and mark how the bright flashing stars are reduced to a -small, round, unmagnifiable point. Such a privilege would give us a -more realizing sense of the power of the great Creator." - - - - -_THE DISCOVERY OF THE MOTION OF THE EARTH AND HEAVENLY BODIES_. - - -The science of Astronomy is one of the oldest that has occupied the -human mind. That the belief in Astrology was its forerunner, we cannot -doubt. Professor Olmsted tells us, that, "At a period of very remote -antiquity, Astronomy was cultivated in China, India, Chaldea, and -Egypt." Three several schools were established, ranging from three to -six hundred years before the Christian era. Anaximander, in the school -of Miletus, taught the sublime doctrine that the planets are -inhabited, and that the stars are suns of other systems. Pythagoras -was the founder of the celebrated school of Crotona, upon the -south-eastern coast of Italy, some five hundred years before the -Christian era. He held that the Sun was the centre of the solar -system, around which all the planets revolve, and that the stars are -so many suns, each the centre of a system like our own. He also held -that the Earth revolves daily on its axis, and yearly around the sun. -Although many of his opinions were founded in mere conjecture, and -were erroneous, yet we see that some important ones were founded on -truth. - -He also held that the planets were inhabited, that the earth and -planets were ever revolving in regular order, "keeping up a loud and -grand celestial concert, inaudible to man, but, as the 'music of the -spheres,' audible to the Gods." - -But the mind of man was not then prepared to grasp the feeble rays of -light, and add thereto, by the power of expanding intellect. Although -many succeeded Pythagoras, whose scientific attainments proved a -blessing to the world, and whose names will go down to all succeeding -generations, as the learned, the good, and the great of their time; -yet prejudice and superstition again prevailed, and the true lights of -this science were lost sight of, and, for near two thousand years, -ages of darkness prevailed, until Copernicus appeared about the -fifteenth century of the Christian era. He again revived the idea -advanced by Pythagoras, that the earth and planets moved regularly in -their orbits, and that the sun was the centre of the solar system. Yet -with him, as with the former, it was little more than mere conjecture. - -We quote again Prof. Olmsted, in regard to these earlier astronomers, -who were struggling after light, and truth, in this grandest of -sciences: "Although, therefore, Pythagoras fathomed the profound -doctrine, that the Sun is the centre around which the earth and all -the planets revolve; yet we have no evidence that he ever solved the -irregular motions of the planets, in conformity with his hypothesis, -although the explanation of the diurnal revolution of the heavens, by -that hypothesis, involved no difficulty." - -Again he says, "Ignorant as Copernicus was of the principle of -gravitation, and of most of the laws of motion, he could go but little -way in following out the consequences of his own hypothesis; and all -that can be claimed for him is, that he solved, by means of it, most -of the common phenomena of the celestial motions. He was indeed upon -the road to truth, and advanced some way in its sure path; but he was -able to adduce but few independent proofs, to show that it was truth. -It was only near the close of his life that he published his system to -the world, and that only at the urgent request of friends; -anticipating, perhaps, the opposition of a bigoted priesthood, whose -fury was afterwards poured upon the head of Galileo, for maintaining -the same doctrines." - -The bigotry and superstition of the priesthood of the Church of Rome -again crushed out the lights of this science, and forbade further -investigations, and all was resolved back again into the doctrine -first taught by Eudoxus, who lived more than three hundred years -before Christ. This doctrine was the system of _crystalline spheres_; -"the earth the centre of the world, and all heavenly bodies set like -gems in hollow, solid orbs, composed of crystal so transparent, that -no anterior orb could obstruct in the least, the view of any of the -orbs lying behind it," that the heavens revolved or rolled round from -East to West, performing the circuit every twenty-four hours, carrying -along the sun, planets, orbs, &c., and that "above the whole were -spread the _grand empyrean_, or 'third heavens,' the abode of -perpetual serenity." - -"To account for the planetary motions, it was supposed that the -planetary bodies, as also the stars, and sun, each had a motion of its -own from East to West, while all partook of the common diurnal motion -of the starry sphere." - -"Aristotle taught that these motions were effected by a tutelary -genius of each planet, residing in it, and directing its motions, even -as the mind of man directs his own movements." - -Thus, from the time of Copernicus, until Galileo appeared in the -sixteenth century, the lights of this science were again extinguished -by the superstition, bigotry, and intolerance of the priesthood, who -would make no proper advance with intellect beyond the established -dogmas of the church; even to ascertain truths which God himself had -made plainly perceptible in His wondrous works. - -Galileo, born in Pisa, Italy, in the year 1564, evinced in early life, -a fondness for the study of philosophy, and the higher order of -sciences, and proved himself also a genius in mechanical inventions. -Fortune favored him in his day, and, enjoying all the greater -advantages of the best schools of his time, he studied well all the -old masters, who had preceded him, and became perfectly familiar with -every theory of philosophy and astronomy then known, and prepared -himself for an advance in the sciences. He invented the first -telescope, with which to survey the heavenly bodies, and the result of -his experiments proved conclusively the correctness of the theory -advanced by the conjectures of Copernicus. - -He pursued his investigations for years, and established the truth, in -his own mind, of the constant movements of the earth and planets, each -revolving in its own orbit, with the Sun as the common centre of all; -of the truth of which he could never more entertain a single doubt. -But the laws which governed and controlled their movements--the power -and force of attraction and gravitation--he could not yet fully -comprehend. This great work of discovery was left for Sir Isaac -Newton. Knowing the bigotry and intolerance of the ruling powers of -Rome, he, Galileo, resorted to subterfuge in order to obtain -permission to publish his opinions to the world. Yet, when published, -these drew down upon his head the stern persecution of the Pope and -Cardinals, and also opposition and accusations from all other -philosophers and astronomers of his time. At length, hearing the -distant muttering "thunders of the Vatican," he resorted to Rome, to -reason with the powers that then held universal sway. But, like all -other lights of reason--from time immemorial to the present hour--the -fiat of the Romish Church would ever obscure, or crush out light, -chain down the intellect, become the arbiter of the consciences of -men, and permit no advance, save as she might lead; and even then -binding all to her dogmas, and decrees, by the power of force, and -threatenings of her Inquisitions. She has ever stood ready, where she -had the power, to crush with her iron heel every one who dared to -oppose, or sought to lead the mind of man to light and liberty. And it -has been the force of circumstances alone, that has, in part, broken -this chain of bondage, emancipated the mind, given freedom to thought, -and permitted the advance of human intellect. - -Galileo seemed, indeed, as Nature's philosopher of his time. "He -interrogated the laws of nature by experiments and observations, and -we have to ascribe to him the first true investigation of the laws of -terrestrial gravity." Had he stood firm and maintained the truths -which God had permitted him to comprehend, the lights of a true -science would then have shone forth, and it is possible that our -knowledge to-day would be far in advance of what it is. We judge thus, -because of the rapid advance made during the last century, especially -since Dr. William Herschel first pointed his telescope toward the -heavens. - -But on Galileo's arrival at Rome, neither his venerable age, his -enlightened mind, his acknowledged comprehensive and brilliant -intellect, nor even his honorable and eloquent appeals for a full and -scientific investigation as to the correctness of his theory, could -gain a generous response. The powers that ruled had not made the -advance, and it was dangerous to them to permit any one outside to do -so. Hence, all new doctrines were held as heretical, and must be -crushed at once. He was placed in confinement, charged with treason -and conspiracy against the Church; his views heretical, such as -demanded the most rigorous punishment;--even after he should renounce -them before the cardinals sitting as Inquisitors in his case. The -charges against him were those of his published views, which he freely -acknowledged, and, while he knew them to be _truths_, yet so -controlling was the influence of his belief in the dogmas of that -church--even as it is with all its adherents--that he bowed to its -fiat, and, on bended knees laid his hand upon the Holy Gospels, and -swore by them and the Roman Catholic Church, before God, and the -Inquisition of Cardinals, that the _truths he had published_ were -_false_, abjuring, cursing, and detesting them as heresies; and swore -a life allegiance to the Church, and received submissively, his -sentence to a dungeon in the Inquisition for life. - -Says Prof. Olmsted, "We cannot approve of his employing artifice in -the promulgation of truth; and we are compelled to lament that his -lofty spirit bowed in the final conflict. How far, therefore, he sinks -below the dignity of a Christian martyr!" - -Says Dr. Brewster, "At the age of seventy, on his bended knees, and -with his right hand resting on the Holy Evangelists, did this -patriarch of science avow his present and past belief in the Romish -Church; abandon as false and heretical the doctrine of the earth's -motion, and of the sun's immobility, and pledge himself to denounce to -the Inquisition, any other person who was even suspected of like -heresy. He abjured, cursed, and detested, those eternal and immutable -truths which the Almighty had permitted him to be the first to -establish. Had Galileo but added the courage of a martyr, to the -wisdom of the sage; had he carried the glance of his indignant eye -round the circle of his Judges; had he lifted his hands to heaven, and -called the living God to witness the truth and immutability of his -opinions; the bigotry of his enemies would have been disarmed, and -science would have enjoyed a memorable triumph." - - - - -THE ROMISH CHURCH. - - -It is impossible for the mind to contemplate the scene presented to -the world, by the history of that trial and unjust condemnation, -without a shudder, if not a premonition of what may yet be in the -future. - -Religious bigotry is more intolerant than any other power of dominion, -and where the mind and conscience is trammelled, and brought under the -subjection of superior intellect, the masses become almost as menials, -ready to do their masters' bidding. We hold to a system of religion, -one which leaves the mind untrammelled, and permits free intercourse -with the spirit of God; that which casts aside all that might obstruct -or intervene, and which enables the soul to commune with its Maker and -Redeemer; that which enables each "to know for himself and not -another." This is the Protestant faith and doctrine, contra-distinguished -from the Roman Catholic faith, whose Popes, Bishops, and Priests, -become, as it were, the arbiters of the minds and consciences of their -adherents; stand between them and their Maker, and trifle with the -souls of men, as implements and matters of commerce. It is time that -the days of superstition were ended. - -It is fast losing ground in the old world, where, for long centuries -past, it has held the masses in ignorance. But, of late years, it has -been rapidly gaining ground on our own continent, and its progress of -late has been fearful, and may well alarm the Protestants of our own -country. We hold that Catholicism is little else than a complete -system of superstition. The minds of the masses of its votaries are -trained and educated to it from childhood. Hence, there is no -possibility of ever eradicating it from the minds of those thus -educated. The priests, cardinals, and Pope, can, at any moment, -trammel free thought by their own edicts, and bring their subjects to -their own terms. Their subjects are taught to believe them to possess -superior power; to be able to stand between them and heaven, or hell, -to lock, or unlock at pleasure; and so ingenious is their system of -religion taught, that it ensnares the mind and holds it ever -subservient. - -We have seen with what submission that mighty man of learning and -towering intellect, Galileo, bowed to this imperial power. By arduous -study, labor and experiments, he had gained a knowledge of his -Creators wonderful works, far transcending all that was known of it by -the ruling powers of Rome. He knew this knowledge was truth, as -immutable as God himself, yet, if _cursed_ by the Pope of Rome, he, -doubtless, believed this curse would place him in perdition, and no -one would pray his soul out of purgatory. Therefore, he perjured -himself (for when he had sworn it false, he still believed it true) in -order to reconcile the rulers, and secure their intercession. This is -only an isolated case out of, doubtless, thousands of others, where -mind and conscience is brought fully under their subjection. - -Rome to-day, and the Romish Church, is the same in spirit and ambition -of universal sway, as in the days of Galileo. Give her but the power, -and rather than lose it again, she would bind humanity in chains of -perpetual ignorance as to the source and lights of eternal truth, save -that which she alone might graciously promulgate; and this to a -favored few, whose trainings were such that their consciences were -securely chained to her car, more ponderous and destructive, than that -of Juggernaut. - -Some, perhaps, are ready to say we have borne down too severely upon -the Roman Catholics, that they, too, are now more enlightened, and -more liberal in their views than formerly, that they have founded -schools and institutions of learning, equal--perhaps superior, to -those of any other denomination in our country. Grant all this; but -why, and for what purpose? _Answer._ The force of circumstances; the -enlightenment of the age has compelled them to move forward. They are -ever wily and on the alert; the philosophy of science was marching -onward; the millions could no longer be held in the old beaten track -of ignorance to pander to the few, and Rome, comprehending all this, -foresees her impending downfall, unless she, too, steps forward with -her _gilded robe_. She therefore, takes a new tack, with her ponderous -ship, upon the sea of mind. She has in store her mines of wealth, -gathered daily from the poor sons and daughters of toil, some of whom -almost starve themselves in order to pay penance to the Priests for -sins laid to their charge, committed--if sins they be, in ignorance. -These priests--some of whom are besotted--still stand forth as the -arbiters of the consciences of their deluded followers; pretend to bar -the gates of heaven; admitting none, save for the _shillings_ or the -_pounds_, showing plainly that the continued organization of this -church, in this enlightened age, is but the force of early education. - -Yes, they have erected their school and college edifices, and also -their _convents_ and _monasteries_. They have ample material for -efficient teachers: but mark you, these have all been well trained -from infancy in the "_lap of the Church_." They are obedient, -efficient and orderly, and, at proper times, are ready to make -advantageous displays. They take charge of all the youth of _their_ -flock, and, alas, by their seductive insinuations, are now making -rapid progress against Protestantism in our own country. They are -educating tens of thousands of Protestant youth. - -Do they ever exhibit to, or instruct them in your Protestant Bible? -No, never! but on the other hand; are they not constantly trying to -instruct, charm, and fascinate them with their own system of religious -worship? They are partial to your children--especially to your -_daughters_, who will, in time, be among the mothers of the succeeding -generation, and who, of course, will train up their offspring in the -same faith. Just let them secure a majority of mothers as firm -believers in the Romish faith, and they will bid defiance to all -opposing influences. How long since one of their Archbishops said, in -a public address, in one of our leading cities: _Let us once control -the children, the youth of the land, and we can soon control the -nation_; or words of this import? See their indefatigable exertions; -their complete system of organization; their primary schools, their -Seminaries, Academies, Colleges, Convents, and Monasteries, already -established, and to which they are adding, annually, many more, while -Protestants seem to be slumbering over the kindling fires of a -volcano, which may in time break forth in all its destructive fury, as -it oft-times has during past centuries. - -Is it not high time that Protestants of our own country, were waking -up in regard to their present, and eternal interests? Let a -preponderance of power be centered in any one man, and you may then -bid a final adieu to a republican form of government, and must, -perhaps, bow to infamous and oppressive "decrees" emanating from an -iron will. - -In our own country, this cannot yet be, unless the usurper is backed -by a soldiery, who are hired, and paid, out of a controlled treasury. -This could not long maintain, in this, or any country, where there is -freedom of mind and thought, and where conscience remains -untrammelled. But let the masses be thus controlled by one superior -intellect, and feel that their ETERNAL interests are subject to his -will, and they will be ever ready to do his bidding. - -The Popes of Rome have--successively--held this power over a portion -of Europe, even as the history of the dark days of the "Inquisitions" -and martyrdoms attest. Thus it has been, and thus we believe it ever -will be, where Roman Catholics gain universal sway: for we believe -there is scarcely a member of that organization living to-day, who -would not--at the Pope's command--make every desired sacrifice; not -only of worldly goods and interests, but even of life itself--if -required. - -We do not condemn--collectively, nor individually, the masses, and -members of that faith. Far be this from us. We believe that a very -large majority of them are honest, and truly devotional. No other -class of people on the globe have been more self-sacrificing than many -of them, in performing acts of kindness, charity and mercy, and these -offices have been performed in a true spirit of Christian benevolence. -Would that all other professed Christian organizations would equal -them in this respect. All should render relief, when within their -power, to suffering humanity. We believe that all such efforts upon -the part of any one, will merit, and obtain, individual reward. What -we condemn is the spirit of the ruling powers of the Romish Church; -its bigotry, and intolerance; and because they--by educating into -their system of religion--trammel the mind, and control the -conscience, rendering them subservient to the dictation and will of -the rulers. The Pope, bishops, and priests, claim to be the mediums -through which their adherents are saved, as, also we believe mediums, -whose "curses" pronounced against any, will consign the soul to -perdition, while they chain the mind to superstition. - -The Bible teaches that Christ is our only mediator, that all may come -to God through faith in His Son; every soul is held alike responsible, -and is alike accountable to its Creator. That life and salvation are -freely offered alike to all, the requirement being, to forsake the -ways of sin, and through faith in Jesus Christ, "return unto the Lord -who will have mercy, and to our God who will abundantly pardon." - -It will be perceived that our principal objections to that sect are -their superstitions, bigotry, arrogance and intolerance; the chaining -down the mind, and controlling the conscience, and using all for -temporal sway. The antecedents of this power are sufficient to warn -all Protestants against its encroachments, and stimulate them to say, -"Thus far shalt thou go and no farther," and in order to this, let -every Protestant denomination see to the educating of their own -children. - -"But," say some of our Protestant mothers, "they have the best -schools, and I want my daughters to be well educated, and -accomplished; and I do not fear their making Catholics of them." So, -likewise, have said thousands of others, and yet, trying the -experiment, they have been mistaken. Their daughters have returned -home fascinated with show and tinsel, and firm adherents to that -doctrine, which, when educated into the mind, can never thence be -eradicated. - -Few are aware of the rapid advance the Catholics are making against -Protestantism, at the present time. It is safe to say, that not less -than from fifteen to twenty thousand daughters, belonging to -Protestant families, are baptized into that church annually, in the -United States. On the other hand, few, if any, Catholics ever become -Protestants; and nine out of every ten who do, will--if sick and -fearing the approach of death, send for Catholic Priests; make -confession, and implore their intercession, to rescue their souls from -purgatory, where they feel sure of going for this great sin of -apostasy. - -Now we ask, how long will it take, with so large and ever increasing -accessions of our Protestant daughters, for that organization to gain -the ascendancy in our country? Their motto is _eternal vigilance_, -while they wage eternal warfare _against the Protestant faith, and -Christian religion_. The time was, when they held almost universal -sway throughout a large portion of Europe. The edicts of the Pope, and -Roman Catholic rulers, must be obeyed by _all_. Curses, torture, -imprisonment, and _death_--where they had the power--was the portion -of all who disregarded their mandates. And then, as now, their hatred -and persecutions were against those whom they termed "_heretical -Protestants_;" against your ancestors, and your religion. Kings, and -Emperors, trembled on their thrones, and lent willing obedience, lest -a "Bull" should be issued against them from the "Vatican" by the -ruling Pope. Those were dark days for poor Protestants; they had to -worship God in _secret_, or in dens and caves. Even only a few -centuries ago, terror and darkness reigned; multiplied thousands were -slaughtered, or dragged to the "stake" and consumed by fiery faggots; -grey hairs, age or decrepitude, were no shields against their bigoted -fury. The priests then, as now, controlled and directed the -consciences of their followers. No compassion, could be shown--even to -purity and innocence of defenceless females, or helpless children. -Those who could manage to escape and flee the country, did so, -leaving all of worldly goods and possessions behind them _confiscated -to the Church_, and, as strangers, poor and friendless, sought, as -best they could, asylums in other lands--some of whom, finally reached -our own continent, here to enjoy liberty and the freedom of -conscience. And we have to lament the fact that many of them, still -tinctured with the rule and form of despotism, had, by the force of -previous circumstances, imbibed notions akin to despotism and -persecution, and were, for a time, while they had the power, disposed -to use it as manifested by the Puritans first landing on our shores. -But they could not hold this power, because of lack of a complete -organization of a hierarchal power. Free thought and free speech, and -the liberty of a free untrammeled _conscience_ prevailed, and soon -swept away every vestige of religious intolerance and despotism, and -our North American continent soon towered in sublime grandeur and -beauty, and became the home and asylum of freedom for the oppressed of -every clime. This land is the birthright of Protestants, wherein those -of every religious faith, Catholics, and all others, have equal rights -and privileges; but to maintain our liberties, we must educate into -the minds of all, _personal liberty, and accountability_, and leave -the conscience untrammeled so far as regards popes, priests, bishops, -or ministers, _controlling man's future destiny_. All are held -individually, and personally, accountable to God, and He hath sent -His Spirit to enlighten every one, and all who go direct to Him in the -spirit of humility, with faith and prayer, will obtain this light. - -In regard to the workings of the ruling powers of the Roman Catholic -Church less than two centuries ago, we give place to the following -recent developments, written as a matter of history, by one who -assisted in the investigations only a few weeks ago. This is from -"Catholic Spain:" - - - - - GHASTLY REVELATION! - - MORE RELICS OF THE SPANISH INQUISITION UNEARTHED. - - -The London _Star_ has the following from Madrid: - - A somewhat ghastly incident has caused considerable - excitement here within the last few weeks. Within a few - hundred yards of the new Plaza de Dos Mayo, inaugurated on - the 2d of this month, there is a locality called the Cruz - del Quemadero. It is a field some three hundred metres - square, at the top of the Calle Aricha de San Bernardo, near - the hospital built by the ex-Queen. Through it a new road - was lately opened, and as the ground was elevated, a cutting - of considerable depth had to be dug. The workmen laid bare - several peculiar looking horizontal strata, of irregular - formation. One was one hundred and fifty feet in length, - another fifty, another ten. The thickness varied from eight - to eighty centimetres. In color the soil was black, the - lower strata being much blacker than the superior ones. - - On examination lumps of charred wood were found, - interspersed with ashes, evidently the remains of some huge - fire. Curiosity was soon excited, and further investigation - demonstrated that in portions of these ugly-looking strata, - the finger came upon small pieces of adipose matter, which - yielded, like butter, to the touch. Iron rings were grubbed - up; human bones, a cranium, a long tuft of hair, having - belonged to some female. All these were more or less - charred. Some of the iron was partially fused, and the - texture of bone intermingled with sand was plainly - discernible. _A gag turned up._ The question, what were - these lugubrious records was answered at once. This field of - the Cruz del Quemadero was the place where the - "_Inquisition_" disposed of some of its victims. Here were - the ghastly proofs of the horrors of which this place had - been the scene, suddenly brought to light after the lapse of - two centuries. On the 12th of May, 1689, eighty-three - heretics, including twenty Hebrews, of whom five were women, - were immolated on this very spot. The pile of wood was - eighty feet in length by seven feet in height. A great - concourse witnessed the _auto da fe_, and the horrible - ceremonial completed, the people buried the remains of their - victims under cart-loads of earth. These irregular - geological strata are naught else but the silent testimony - to the atrocities perpetrated on this in the name of - religion and "Catholic Unity." Out of one, your special - correspondent hooked out with his finger, one entire bone of - a human vertebral column, a portion of the tibia, a - fragment of a shoulder-blade with a hole through it, and a - bit of a rib, all bearing the marks of fire. Upward of two - cart-loads of remains of this sort have been carried away - and decently buried. But these horrible strata! There they - remain to tell their own tale, and instruct the present - generation. On the 13th, a public meeting was convened, to - be held at the Quemadero, by the Republican youth of Madrid, - to protest against priestly intolerance and to advocate - _freedom of conscience_. That this discovery should have - been made at a moment when the Spanish clergy are striving - their utmost to affirm the "unity of the Roman Catholic - Church," and are preaching in the churches of the metropolis - against heresy, is a striking coincidence. - - The Quemadero is so frequented by people in search of - relics, and the explorations of these strata have been so - extensive, that the authorities have barred the frontage - off, and prohibited access. It is their intention to cut a - square block, and there erect a monument. It is estimated by - Llorente, the great historian of the Inquisition, that this - atrocious tribunal has deprived Spain of twelve millions of - souls, including the Jews, and Moors, expelled from the - country. Thirty-one thousand and ninety-two perished by - fire; 17,659 were first butchered and then burned; 221,985 - died of torture. Total, 270,736. - -Rome, ever intolerant in spirit, her persecutions have ever been the -same through all ages, and in all countries, where she had the power -of physical force. And thus, we believe, it would be to-day, on this -continent, had she now the ascendency here. Daily, in private, are you -denounced by their priests, and minions, as heretics, while it would -seem that no bishop, or priest, of that church, can ascend a rostrum -in any of their cathedrals, without venting his spleen in outspoken or -implied anathemas against all Protestants. - -Your daughters, under their special care in their schools and -academies, are taught by the Lady Superiors, and sisters--by -insinuations, if not directly--to believe theirs the only true church -of God on earth. They are told by their confidential associates, that -all who do not believe their faith, and in the Roman Catholic Church, -are held by them as "_heretics_" and, without this belief, need never -hope to get to heaven. Their governesses and teachers are ever wary, -at first, of manifesting, or of exercising a direct influence, as -regards controlling their religious belief, and will tell you, when -you are about to place your daughters under their care, that they -never teach the children of Protestants the Catholic religion, and -yet, by their machinations, adopt the most efficient means of -accomplishing it. They are sure to gain their _confidence_, and, very -soon, with nine out of ten, they have more of this than even the -mother enjoys. When they have gained this, confidence, their task -becomes an easy one, and they know well how to perform it. On each -recurring Sabbath, all who are under their care must attend church, -and they are accompanied by the superiors or teachers, to _their_ -church, and there must sit and hear the religion and faith of their -own parents denounced in the boldest terms. They are young and -inexperienced; their minds susceptible of impressions, and these they -receive and nurture with such effect, that long before the period -arrives for them to leave the "Institution," the faith and doctrines -of the "Church of Rome" are firmly ingrafted in their minds; and they -return home fully resolved to be (even if they have not already been) -confirmed by the ordinance of Baptism in that church. Thus, their -religious belief is educated into their minds, and no parental -influence can ever change their views. - -"But," say some, "we send our children to their day-school, and hence, -have them under home influence most of the time, and in this way there -is no danger." Let us examine and see whether there is, or is not. - -This mode of procedure is one of their organized systems for induction -into your "good graces," so that they may eventually accomplish their -ends. By this seeming open-heartedness, they allay all suspicion, and -overcome any prejudices you may have cherished against their system of -religion. They are all working for the future ascendency of their -church. It must not be a matter of haste; the minds of Protestants, -who are yet in the ascendency, are not prepared to yield all in open -conflict. Hence, they must be patient; must work and wait. Such a -course, on their part, will disarm you of even suspicion, and cause -you to think and speak well of them. This is always their first step. -Soon they will open the doors of their academies to admit your -daughters, where they MUST remain during all the term--save a short -"home visit" now and then, from which they must return on the day, and -even the very hour stated by the "Superior." Have you ever noticed how -_promptly_ your daughter has felt it her duty to obey this command, -and return to that school? Was it ever thus while she was attending a -Protestant school? Think you she would be so mindful of _your_ -request; so _anxious_ to leave pleasant society; unwilling to remain -even an hour longer, and return to you and loved ones at home? Nay, I -tell you she would not do it under ordinary circumstances. See now who -already holds the confidence of, and greater influence over your -child! - -But see on yonder eminence a Convent, a Monastery, a Nunnery, with its -towering dome, and surrounded by massive walls. There, perhaps, is the -place wherein your young and beautiful daughter will be immured to -spend a weary life in _crucifying_ herself, and doing penance daily -for imaginary sins she has never committed. Thus, shutting herself up -within that living tomb from all the outside world, and the happiness -to be enjoyed in social life; she is as dead to you, and to the world, -as though in her coffin, and in her grave; while the mind is as -obscured as to the true lights and freedom of eternal truth and -salvation, as though reason were dethroned, and she a maniac. This -condition has been brought about by influences brought to bear upon -her mind, commencing with your daughter's first entrance into their -primary schools. Confessions must soon be made to the priest, and, by -his arts, he soon gains the ascendency over, and becomes the arbiter -of the mind and conscience, and more especially is this influence -exerted to this end, if the child is an _orphan_, and is the rightful -inheritor of a valuable estate. For it would seem that to this end do -the ruling powers of that sect devote time, energy, and influence--as -witnessed by so many young females, whose parents left them fortunes, -surrendering all to the church, and taking up a life abode in their -convents. - -We do not condemn the poor deluded victims, nor believe they are held -accountable in their delusion. They are honest in their devotions, yet -perform these under false delusions. And when their spirits are -released from this double prison-house, and return to God who gave -them, they will then realize the freedom of the Spirit of God, and how -abundantly it giveth _light_, _life_ and _liberty_. And they will then -also realize that their salvation is alone of God--through his -boundless mercy; and not in anywise through intercession of the -_Priest_. - -We warn you to look well to passing events. History so oft repeats -itself, that we can but believe there is danger. Remember that when -Luther--the bold pioneer of Protestantism--stood forth the champion of -Christianity, to his followers there came, from this same source, -persecutions, martyrdoms, and massacres--even a reign of terror and -darkness upon Europe. But it proved a darkness that preceded a dawn; -and although seemingly, at the time, dreadful in its consequences, yet -none can deny but that the world is far better because of his efforts, -than to have slumbered on in ignorance and in sin. From this same -cause, our own continent may be destined to pass through a period like -that of the "dark ages." If so, we trust in God it may come forth from -it cleansed and purified; even as the current of the "lost river," -that loses itself in the bosom of the "Blue Ridge," where, with a wild -whirl, its turbid waters dash into the resounding cavern, but on the -other side reappear, clear, placid, and beautiful. - -We say to all Protestants, remember, that in placing your children -under the care and influence of Catholic teachers, and Priests of that -Church, you lend your aid to obscuring their minds, and, in -accordance to your own belief, shutting out from the eye of faith -God's own eternal truth. They go to men as "intercessors" instead of -to Christ the Lord--the Son of God, who redeemed them with His own -precious blood--who alone can intercede for them. And you also aid in -re-establishing universal sway to the ever-intolerant Romish Church. -The time may come when--driven from the Old World--her central power -will be on this continent: and, erecting here her gorgeous temples -from the estates you leave to your children, the Pope will ascend the -throne of the American Vatican--under and around which will be the -dark dungeons of the Inquisition--and thence thunder forth his -"_Bulls_" and _Anathemas_ against the feeble followers of the blessed -Redeemer. That Church is by far the most intolerant of all the -professed Christian organizations on this globe. Their members are not -even allowed the privilege of attending religious worship anywhere -else than under their own instructions, and we opine, that should any -one of them do so without "dispensation," they are held as having -committed a sin, for which they must soon repair to the Priest, make -confession, do penance, receive absolution from him, and pay the -price. - -Behold the avarice of this "whore of Babylon!" Not content with -tribute paid to her--perhaps weekly--through a long lifetime by her -deluded followers, when nature yields to the fiat of the Eternal One, -mortality drops to moulder into dust, and the spirit returns to God -who gave it, so completely are the minds of all her adherents under -the control of the Priests, that they can still lay _penance_ upon the -dead, and demand and obtain _tribute_ from the living offspring. - -In closing our remarks upon this subject, we submit, for the -reflection of all Protestant ministers and members in every quarter of -the world, the following, a portion of the Pope's address to the -English clergymen, who presented him an address signed by some -eighteen hundred clergy, April 20th, 1869. After examining the -document closely, following other remarks, he said: - -"In the mean time, we must cultivate in a most special manner the -_spirit of unity_, for in that lies our strength, and its want is the -weakness of our adversaries. I have noticed the Protestants are -perpetually appealing to the primitive Church; but when I turn to the -early ages of history, what do I see? Unity! all the more reasonable -because existing undoubtedly in a different state of society from the -present. The Apostles were all of one accord, and one mind. * * * * -Protestants, on the other hand, are disunited; and our strength, in -the difficulties we have to encounter, lies in _perfect union_. * * * -It will be the old story over again. There will be waves and storms -and threatenings on all sides, but we shall be brought safely through -* * * while our _adversaries_ are struggling with the waves." - -Let all ponder well these remarks. The philosophy that "in union there -is strength" is a true one. And if all Protestants cannot unite as one -great body and family--because of minor non-essentials in matters of -faith, forms and ceremonies--let all unite in the one great essential, -that all their children, and orphan children of Protestants, shall be -educated in other than Catholic schools. For, in these latter, we hold -that the mind is chained to error and superstition, and the true -lights of God's truth and plan of salvation are obscured. Every parent -and guardian will be held accountable in a coming day, should they -neglect to "train up their children in the way they should go." - - * * * * * - -Our readers will please pardon us for the digression we have made from -the special subject we have under consideration. Had we not been duly -impressed with the importance and correctness of our views upon the -subject of the freedom and liberty of mind and conscience, and of the -personal accountability of _all_ to God alone, we should not have thus -pursued the theme. We believe firmly in the good _offices_ of a -teaching and advising ministry, but not in anywise where it _trammels -the mind or becomes the arbiter of the conscience_. - - * * * * * - -Returning to our subject, _viz._, the earlier discoveries of the -science of Astronomy. The intelligence of the world is indebted to Sir -Isaac Newton, who lived during the latter part of the sixteenth -century, for the discovery of the laws of _universal gravitation_. His -discovery, and philosophy, furnished the basis upon which all -subsequent astronomers have worked. - - - - -_ATTRACTION, GRAVITATION, &c._ - - -The power of attraction and force of gravitation are the laws which -govern the universe of matter. "The discovery of this law," says Prof. -Olmsted, "made us acquainted with the hidden forces that move the -great machinery of the universe. It furnished the key which unlocks -the inner temple of Nature, and established the science of Astronomy -upon a sure and firm basis. Thus we discover in Nature a tendency of -every portion of matter toward some other. This tendency is called -gravitation. The larger the body, the more powerful the attraction; -and this attraction is always toward the centre. Hence, you may cast -an object of weight into the air, and, when the impelling force you -have given it ceases to force it upward, it falls in a direct line to -the earth." So also may the Chinaman, placed on the opposite side of -the globe, cast one as he deems upward, which is forcing it in an -opposite direction from where you sent yours; yet, when his impelling -force is lost, his too falls back to the earth, each falling toward -the other. This is gravitation, produced by the power of attraction. -Thus we now see this principle made plain to the simplest -comprehension. - - - - -_SUNS, STARS, PLANETS, &c._ - - -We come, now, to the contemplation of that which is of far greater -importance to us than all other planets, worlds, stars, and wonders in -the siderial Heavens. This is the Sun, which warms and lights up our -earth, and all the other planets within its sphere. - -Says Dr. Child, "There are not a few in this world who habitually -receive God's blessings so much as a matter of course, that they are -scarcely conscious of any active feeling of gratitude in regard to -them. The very regularity and profusion with which these blessings are -showered on all alike, seem to have the effect of deadening the sense -of individual obligation. A general admission of thankfulness may -occasionally be made at church or in the closet, but there is a want -of that abiding consciousness of it, with which we ought to be imbued, -as well as that frequent pondering upon details which, by illustrating -the dependence of every creature upon God, causes the heart to swell -with grateful adoration. Such thoughts never fail to improve our -moral nature by bringing the truth home to us more and more that we -are God's children. - -"It would be no easy task for a thankful mind to sum up all the -blessings diffused over our planet by the Sun. It is the mainspring of -animated Nature. Without its genial rays the present system of Earth's -government could not endure, and life itself would soon disappear from -the globe. To it we are indebted for light and warmth--the two -stimulants of vital force--for our food and raiment; for our busy days -and rest-bringing nights, for months and years, and happy alternations -of seasons. Its rays, in short, are intertwined with all our wants and -comforts; they gladden the eye and cheer the heart. Contemplating all -these temporal blessings, the _Psalmist_ exclaims: - - "'_I will praise the name of the Lord with a song, and - magnify it with thanksgiving._' - -"The Sun is the central pivot of the solar system, and round it the -earth and all the other planets keep whirling in elliptical orbits. -Its power and influence, its light, heat, and attraction, reach -through a domain in space which it would require _six thousand -millions of miles_ to span. With the greater part of this wide field, -astronomers are familiar, and it may be truly said that scarcely a man -knows the roads of his own parish or neighborhood, or a citizen the -streets of his own city or village, with more exactness than they do -the highways of the skies. Not only can they map out to a nicety the -paths of the planets careering through it like islands floating -through a sea of ether, but they can look backward and tell the exact -spot where each globe was at any moment of the remote past, or -forward, and point to the place where each will be found at any given -moment of the remote future. - -"What is the mighty power which maintains such order in the Heavens, -which steadies the planets in their orbits, and traces out for them a -route so wisely planned as to avoid all chances of collision? Two -antagonistic forces--gravitation and attraction, combined with a -centrifugal impulse--accomplish the wonderful task. To these faithful -servants, God commits the safety of the Universe, nor can anything -disturb or derange the order of this machinery, save the Word which -created it. - -"The Sun was placed in the centre, and became the pivot of the whole -system, tying to itself the different planets by the cord of its -superior attraction. In accordance with the law we have mentioned, -this loadstone power of the Sun is the inevitable result of its -superior mass, as it is computed to be six hundred times greater in -magnitude than this earth and all the planets put together. But -behold the wisdom and wondrous power of the Great Architect, in -creating these vast worlds, and placing each in its proper position -in space; where each revolves within its own orbit--some with the -velocity of even one hundred thousand miles an hour--yet maintaining -toward each other that _centrifugal_ force which prevents their being -drawn by the attractive power of that vast globe _within_ the Sun, -into certain destruction, by its surrounding fires. - -"Astronomers inform us there are innumerable Suns, each of which is -supposed to control a separate, or its own system of planets; giving -light and heat thereto, even as our Sun does to this Earth, and its -own system of planets. Their distances from the Sun that lights up our -Heavens are immeasureable--far transcending our conceptions, or even -our imagination--in illimitable space. They also inform us that the -distance from this Earth, to the nearest one of these distant stars, -or suns, is about _twenty billions of miles_." So vast is the distance -here stated, that the mind cannot grasp or comprehend it. We can more -nearly approximate by the measurement of light; a ray of which darting -from its surface and travelling at the speed of 192,000 miles a -second, would not reach our eye under three years and eight months. -"Such then," says Sir John Herschel, "is the length of the -sounding-line with which we first touch bottom in the attempt to -fathom the great abyss of the sidereal heavens." Says Olmsted, "Until -recently, astronomers gave almost exclusive attention to -observations, and the study of the solar system. But Dr. William -Herschel turned his attention to the sidereal heavens, and opened up -new and wonderful fields of discovery, as well as of speculation. His -son, Sir John Herschel, and Sir James South, of England, have followed -the old master, with grasping minds and brilliant intellects, until -more has been accomplished by them, and others of the present day, -than all preceding astronomers had even ventured to conjecture," and -that their deductions are founded mainly on facts, no intelligent mind -will--on investigation--have reason to doubt. - -But having thrown anchor and "touched bottom" in the wide expanse of -the unlimited sphere of the sidereal heavens, "let us," says Dr. -Child, "take another flight. Here next, within the domain of Sirius, -we find ourselves six times as far distant as when at Centauri, first -mentioned"--say one hundred and twenty billions of miles--"from which -it would require _twenty-two years_ for a ray of light travelling at -the rate of 192,000 miles a second to reach our Earth." But, far -distant, yonder, we behold the beauteous _Capella_, in all its -splendor and glory, throwing its effulgent rays across the wide -expanse of universe, and yet these rays of light, travelling at the -same mentioned rate--192,000 miles each passing second of -time--require about _seventy years_ in transit, before the inhabitants -of our Earth catch a glimpse of their brilliancy and beauty. And yet -now the mind has only entered the borders of '_the starry -regions_'--far beyond, in illimitable space, lie the 'Hosts of the -Stars;' their vast distances cannot be computed even by light itself." - -It is wonderful to contemplate the probability that of some of the -more distant stars discovered, the rays of light which have found rest -in the eye of the Astronomer, through the aid of the telescope, may -have left their native sun thousands of years ago, and travelled at -the rate of 192,000 miles a second ever since. "A certain cluster of -stars was estimated by Sir William Herschel to be 700 times the -distance of a star of the first magnitude--therefore at least 700 -times nineteen billions of miles!" But, observes Guillemin, if this -cluster was removed to five times its actual distance, that is to say -3,500 times the distance of Sirius, the large Herschelian telescope of -40 feet focus would still show it, _but only as an irresolvable -Nebula_. It is, then, extremely probable that, among the many Nebulæ -indecomposable into stars, beyond the Milky Way, in the depths of the -heavens, many are as distant as that of which we speak. _Doubtless -many are more so._ Now to reach us, light-rays must have left stars -situated at such a distance more than 700,000 years ago!" Says Child, -"When we have touched the verge of this uttermost range, Infinity, -boundless as ever, still lies beyond. The idea of God extinguishes in -our mind every suspicion that there can be any limit to space, -magnitude, or power, in relation to His works. The mighty universe we -have been considering is but the stepping-stone to what is farther on; -and although our imagination fails to grasp it, our reason assures us -it must be so. There is no such thing as taking from or adding to _The -Illimitable_. - -"With what just propriety of thought has light been called the 'voice' -of the stars. * * * In the 'speechless' voice of light the stars -proclaim to us from the depths of space, the existence of innumerable -other worlds which, like our own, share the Creator's care. * * * With -mute argument stars prove to us that, in those far-off regions, -gravitation--the power that brings the apple to the ground--still -reigns supreme, and with suggestive whispers of probability, they -persuade us that, like our own Sun, they bathe attendant worlds in -floods of light; deck them in colors of beauty, and shower countless -blessings on the life of myriads of beings. - -"Having glanced at the distances and magnitudes of some of the stars, -or suns, let us pause for a moment to consider their number, and the -vast space they must necessarily occupy in the domain of Creation. By -the most moderate estimate the number of stars that can be counted in -the firmament by telescopic aid, does not fall short of _one hundred -millions_. There is no doubt that most of those stars are _Suns_, -dispensing light and heat to earths and planets like our own; and, -indeed, no bodies shining by reflected light would be visible at such -enormous distances. - -"From the superior magnitude of those that have been measured--as -compared to our Sun--it may be assumed that the average diameter of -their solar systems must exceed our own; but taking them as nearly -equal, it would give a breadth of at least _six thousand millions of -miles_ as the field of space occupied by each, while every star, or -sun-system, is probably begirt with a gulf or void like that -encircling our own, in which the antagonistic forces of attraction are -lost, so as not to disturb each other. Hence, the distance from each -of those suns to its nearest neighbor is probably not less than that -which intervenes between our Sun and the nearest star, which cannot be -less than about _twenty_ billions of miles. How inconceivably vast, -therefore, must be the space required to give room for so many and -such stupendous solar systems. The mind absolutely reels under the -load of conceptions so mighty. _Yet Infinity still lies beyond_." - -"For what purpose," says Sir John Herschel, "are we to suppose such -magnificent bodies scattered through the abyss of space? Surely not to -illume our nights, which an additional moon of the thousandth part of -the size of our own would do much better; not to sparkle as a pageant, -void of meaning and reality, and to bewilder us among vain -conjectures. He must have studied astronomy to little purpose, who can -suppose man to be the only object of his Creator's care, or who does -not see, in the vast and wonderful apparatus around us, provisions for -other races of animated beings." - -The Psalmist says: - - "Whoso is wise will ponder these things, and they shall - understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." - -Let us here suggest the reasonable hypothesis, that those distant -suns, standing far out in the sidereal regions of illimitable -space--created, and placed there by the "Word" of the Almighty -architect--may have been shining thus for untold billions of years; -and so, also, the sun which shines upon and lights up and warms this -earth, and the other planets within its domain; and will thus remain -forever, as God's own lamps of eternal light, to all created -intelligences. - -Hear the Psalmist break forth again, - - "Thy testimonies are wonderful. Who alone doeth great - wonders. - - The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament - sheweth His handy works. - - Such knowledge is too wonderful for me." - -Job tells us, - - "He alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the - waves of the sea, and doeth wonders without number." - -_Fixed stars_--held by astronomers to be suns--are known from the -planetary stars by their perpetual "twinkling," and by their being, -apparently, always in the same position relative to each other. Now, -while the number of stars to be seen in the heavens by the naked eye -on a clear night does not exceed about 3,000 in each,--the northern -and southern hemispheres,--yet Herschel, Olmsted, and other examiners -tell us that by the aid of the telescope, many millions stand out in -brilliant array--so vast their number that they cannot be correctly -computed, but are supposed to be at least _one hundred millions_. - -Prof. Olmsted declares it fully demonstrated that "_the fixed stars -are suns_," and, with other astronomers, argues the fair probability -of many of them being of far greater magnitude than our own sun. Dr. -Wollaston, a distinguished English philosopher, attempted to estimate -the magnitude of certain of the fixed stars from the light which they -afforded. "By means of an accurate _photometer_ (an instrument for -measuring the relative intensities of light), he compares the light of -Sirius with that of the sun. He next computed how far the sun must be -removed from us in order to appear no brighter than Sirius. He found -it would require to be _one hundred and forty-one thousand times_ its -present distance, and even at that great distance Sirius must give out -twice as much light as the sun, or that, in point of splendor, Sirius -must be at least equal to two suns." "But," adds Prof. Olmsted, "as -_Sirius_ is more than _two hundred thousand times_ as far off as the -sun, he has rendered it probable that its light is equal to that of -_fourteen suns_." (We wish you to bear these facts in mind, they will -serve you when we come to speak of the magnitude of our own sun.) - -But let us follow Prof. Olmsted a little farther. He says, "We have -already seen that they are large bodies; that they are immensely -farther off than the farthest planet; that they shine by their own -light; in short, that their appearance is, in all respects, the same -as the Sun would exhibit if removed to the region of the stars. Hence, -we infer that they are bodies of the same kind with the Sun. - -"We are justified, therefore, by a sound analogy, in concluding that -the stars referred to were made for the same end as the Sun; namely, -as the centres of attraction to other planetary worlds, to which they -severally dispense light and heat. Although the starry heavens -present, in a clear night, a spectacle of unrivalled grandeur and -beauty, yet it must be admitted that the chief purpose of the stars -could not have been to adorn the night, since by far the greater part -of them are ever invisible to the naked eye, nor as landmarks to the -navigator, for only a small proportion of them are adapted to this -purpose, nor, finally, to influence this Earth by their attraction, -since their distance renders such an effect entirely insensible." -Therefore, arriving at the only rational conclusion _that they are -Suns_, many of them suns of vast magnitude; shining with splendor and -brilliancy equal to, or surpassing that of our own Sun; each giving -out light and heat to their attendant planets and revolving worlds -within their own domain, or sphere,--"may we not ask, for what purpose -are these gifts dispensed to those surrounding worlds, if not for the -use of percipient beings? - -"We are therefore led to the inevitable idea of a plurality of worlds; -and that they are inhabited by some order of intelligences, and the -conclusion is forced upon our minds that the spot which the Creator -has assigned to us is but a humble province in his boundless empire." - -None, however, can form a correct estimate, or comparison, between -this, our diminutive Earth, and those vast orbs--suns--fixed so remote -from us in the sidereal regions, nor of the numbers, until in some -measure they have familiarized their minds with, and understand, to -some extent, the science of astronomy, and then survey the vast field -through a suitable telescope. "Even the first view through it, pointed -heavenward, will astonish and fill the mind with awe and wonder; and -as each new-grasping power is given to the instrument; new fields of -those regions are joined on to those already explored, and every new -stratum of space thus added is found to be studded with stars in ever -increasing ratio; until myriads have come forth from the dark depths -of the firmament, and they have a grand panoramic view of a Universe -of Worlds peopling the realms of boundless space." Then, in wonder and -amazement, they will more fully realize and comprehend the Omnipotent -power of God in the manifestations of His creative word. Then, in -comparison, each realizing his own diminutiveness: that he is even -less than an unperceived infinitesimal atom floating along in the -gentle breeze, he will be led to exclaim with the Psalmist: - - "How wonderful are thy works, O Lord of hosts! - - What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man - that thou takest knowledge of him?" - -Dismissing, for the present, the further contemplation of those -far-off millions of stars, or suns, and their multiplied millions of -attendant planets and worlds, we come back to the contemplation of our -own Sun, and its attendant planets, things with which we are more -familiar, and which are--seemingly--more tangible. - -As we have before remarked, the Sun governs and controls our Earth, -and the other planets and worlds within its domain. Some of these -worlds are not greatly dissimilar to this in which we live; some are -smaller, while others are vastly larger--some computed to be even a -thousand times larger than this Earth, and, as we believe, all are -peopled with some high order of intelligence. - -Having gathered the foregoing facts from the most undoubted -authorities--astronomers, whose mathematical and philosophical -calculations have for their base the immutable laws established by -creative wisdom, as now revealed in Nature, we shall still rely--more -or less--upon them for statistical facts and data, in further -expositions from which to make deductions and draw our conclusions. - -We are desirous of familiarizing your mind with the mighty and -wondrous works of God, so plainly manifested in His creating and -sustaining power, which few, comparatively speaking, seem to -comprehend in any other way save in the daily temporal blessings of -life. Should our feeble efforts raise your thoughts higher, and enable -you to contemplate Him with the eye of faith in the light of reason, -and Divine revelation; to know more of His greatness and power, and -your entire dependence upon Him for all temporal blessings in life; -for the _only_ consolation you can have in the dying hour, and as your -only hope for the future, and should such contemplation draw your mind -and heart to Him in holy love, and godly fear, we shall be well -rewarded for our efforts. - - - - -_FIXED STARS ARE SUNS._ - - -We now propose to dwell for a short time upon the distance, magnitude, -elements, and offices of the Sun. - -The Sun itself speaks to us with its voice of light, and it is our -high privilege to understand, and thus comprehend mysteries long -hidden, which are now being revealed. Special manifestations were long -since made by Jehovah, which were left for those of the present -enlightened age to comprehend; when the mind of man is more fully able -to grasp His truths, and look up through Nature to Nature's God. - -Now fix your mind's eye upon that brilliant orb of--seeming--eternal -day; that Sun which is ever shining, ah! whose light never pales, nor -fails its vast empire. No storm-clouds obscure its brightness in the -higher realm, neither is there waning of light, nor a wasting of its -substance. Possibly, from all eternity of the past it has been, and -through eternity to come it will remain the same. We, on this Earth, -have our days and nights, our sun-shine and shadows, tempests and -storms. Our nights are the result of the daily revolution of the -Earth, these are when that portion of it on which we dwell is turned -away from the Sun, and the shadow of the Earth--which is surrounded by -a dense atmosphere--is that which constitutes our darkness. This -atmosphere is a screen to us by day to modify the intense heat of the -Sun's rays. Otherwise, it is possible that no animated life could -exist. This atmosphere has in it the elements of production, -which--when absorbed by the Earth--assists in bringing forth for the -sustenance of man and beast, and all living things. Did not this -atmosphere exist, our midnight hours would be almost as bright as -noonday. See in this the wise provision of our heavenly Father. - -That Sun is farther away, and of far greater magnitude, than you now -comprehend, or even imagine. We will now state its dimensions, -distance, elements, &c., as measured and determined by the science of -astronomy, and as agreed upon by all the best informed and most -profound mathematicians and astronomers throughout the world. - -The diameter of the Sun is _eight hundred and fifty-five thousand -miles_. It would require _one hundred and seven worlds_, the size of -this Earth, set side by side to reach across it, and _one million four -hundred thousand Earths_, the size of this, to make a globe of equal -magnitude. It is _two millions six hundred and fifty-five thousand -miles round it_, while its bulk is not less than _six hundred times_ -as great as all the worlds and planets it controls within its sphere -put together,--some of which, as we have told you, are estimated to be -a thousand times larger than this Earth. - -Is your mind expanding? are your views enlarging, so as to enable you -to comprehend its vast dimensions? Let the revelations of astronomy -assist you. Look at it again. From the comparatively small size of its -disk as we see it from the Earth, the distance must be vast indeed to -dwarf it down thus. The distance is great, no less than about -_ninety-five millions of miles_. It is three hundred and eighty-five -times as far away as the Moon: it is estimated that a cannon ball -fired from this Earth and keeping up its velocity at the rate of _five -hundred miles an hour_, would not reach it in less time than about -twenty-two years. Still, though these are well demonstrated facts, -ascertained by very correct measurement, by the most scientific -mathematical surveyors of the heavens, yet we desire some more plain -or familiar illustration. Let us investigate. Here we have it; are you -ready for a journey? The celebrated Braley has calculated the time -required for a trip of ocular exploration. He observes, "A railway -train starting from this Earth, and running continuously, at the rate -of _thirty miles an hour_, would arrive at the Moon in eleven months, -but would not reach the Sun in less time than about _three hundred -and fifty-two years_." We can partially comprehend this by calculation -(although the years of the oldest individual of our country have not -been sufficient to take him more than one third of the journey, even -had he been placed on such train and started when an infant at his -mother's breast). Had the train been started only nineteen years later -than the discovery of North America by Columbus, in 1498, and -travelled thirty miles each hour since, it would just now be -approaching the border of the Sun, and, on arriving there, if a tunnel -was opened and a track laid direct through it, "this train, continued -at the same speed, would require more than a year and a half to reach -the Sun's centre; three years and a half to pass through it, and more -than ten years to pass round it. - -"Now this same train would attain the centre of this Earth in five -days and a half; pass through it in eleven days; and go round it in -about thirty-five days." Thus you see the diminutiveness of this Earth -as compared to the Sun. These calculations are founded on facts so -clearly demonstrated by the science of astronomy, that but few who -examine into it will question their approximation to correctness. - -Now while the mind is somewhat familiarized with that vast globe, the -Sun, let us contemplate it further. - -Sir John Herschel, the most profound philosopher in the science of -astronomy the world has ever known; one whose inventions and -improvements in the telescope have far surpassed those of all others; -one who has enjoyed the highest advantages in the study and -demonstration of the science, and who has made most important -discoveries in regard to the sun, and moon, and the planets--and even -the fixed stars, or suns, in the far off sidereal regions--tells us -that from his investigations and discoveries in regard to the Sun, -there appears to be _a vast globe within_ the surrounding _photosphere -of fire_, shielded by a void or non-luminous atmosphere, thus -apparently protecting it from the surrounding flame of fire, and -rendering it possible that the vast globe within is susceptible of -animated life, which may exist there in some form. This, with the -general corroboration of other astronomers, as to the two encircling -volumes of atmosphere--the outer a luminous, and the inner a -non-luminous one--is strong evidence confirmative of our hypothesis of -the existence of that immense inner globe, or world, which is -doubtless in reality the _Heavenly world_; the Saviour's empire, and -the abode of the righteous. - -Methinks, had Sir John Herschel but turned his attention for awhile to -the flood-lights of Divine Revelations, made by God himself through -His Spirit to fallen man, he would ere this have opened the "gate" to -the eye of faith, and bid the weary Christian to look and behold the -confines of that bright world which was opened, and flashed its inner -light upon the eyes of the dying martyr Stephen, when, - - "Being full of the Holy Ghost, he looked up steadfastly into - heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the - right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see heaven opened." - -Thus, we are led to the inevitable conclusion that heaven is not so -far distant but that it can be seen from earth by the _spirit-eye_, if -God shall but open, and disclose it to view. Where else can we imagine -its location, to be within range of--even immortal--vision from this -earth? St. John, while in the spirit, had a view of that heavenly -world, and the vast city with glittering jasper walls, and gold-paved -streets, and even the "great white throne," the Saviour on that -throne, surrounded by an innumerable company that no man can number. - -St. Paul, in spirit, was caught up, even into the "third heaven," and -"saw and heard things which it were not lawful for man to utter" to -mortals on earth. He tells us that "eye hath not seen, neither ear -hath heard, nor hath it entered the heart of man, the glory that shall -be revealed." But we will not here anticipate the still stronger -evidence we have yet to lay before the mind as we pursue this -interesting theme. - -Bear in mind the fact that heaven is considered by the most learned -and ablest writers on theology, as "a fixed place," permanent and -abiding. That it is vast in extent, and glorious in appearance, and -has, within, all the necessary elements and arrangements for complete -happiness. And, we believe, that not very remotely distant from it is -the place where is the element of punishment for the wicked. We think -the revelations of God, and the manner and mode of his manifestations -to the children of men, together with the revelations of astronomy in -regard to the Sun; its magnitude and elements, will, when we come to -consider them further, not only startle the mind, but prove our -hypothesis well-founded. - - - - -_A CONTEMPLATION._ - - -Just here, may we not, for a few moments, speculate in mind upon a -possibility, which, as we advance, will assume more the form of a -probability? - -Look once more upon that brilliant orb, whose light, _without_, may be -one of the lamps of eternal day. Look but for one second of time only; -for, as we have told you, a steady gaze into its fiery flame of -brightness for one minute alone is fatal to the blinding of the -unprotected eye. May not _within_ be the place of which the poet's -spiritual eye caught a glimpse, when alone in silent meditation he -penned those sublime and beautiful lines: - - "There, on those wide extended plains, shines one eternal day, - There God, the Son, forever reigns, and scatters night away. - No chilling winds, nor poisonous breath, can reach that healthful shore, - Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, are felt and feared no more." - -May not that be the _Heavenly world_ wherein stands the "City of God, -whose foundations are eternal," and whose maker and builder is the -great Architect of the Universe? Its walls are Jasper, and are ever -glittering in the glory-light of eternal day. Its apartments are -gorgeously furnished in brilliant array. "_I go_" said the Saviour, -"_to prepare a place for you._" There "the gold-paved streets," there -the "Great white Throne" and "Christ the Lord" who sits thereon as the -judge and ruler of His own native Empire--for it is He that shall -judge the nations of this Earth, and in the "great day" of "final -judgment" he will recount, in evidence, some of the scenes through -which he passed on this Earth, to justify his final and unalterable -decision. - -May not there gush forth the crystal "fountains of life" from which to -drink will quench all thirst; and there the "rivers of life" ever -flowing, in whose waters to bathe will renew eternal youth, and -immortality, to dwell on and on with eternity itself? May not Moses, -and Elijah, and the Prophets, and Martyrs be there? May not many of -us, who are still on this Earth, contemplate the theme that there (in -that bright world at whose boundary surface we cannot, while dwelling -in mortality, gaze for even one minute of time without being blinded) -we have a father, a mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, a child, -or some loved friends, who have left the shores of Time, and are safe -with their blessed Saviour, to dwell in his sun-light throughout -"eternal day?" - -May we not contemplate the possibility of these things, when we -remember that it is said of Heaven, "the Righteous shall dwell -_therein_," and that "God" in His eternal manifestations "dwells in -light unapproachable" to us in our mortality, and is only manifest to -us here by His invisible SPIRIT VEILED IN FIRE? - -Startle not when we come to lay before you the well-defined elements -surrounding that vast globe. The timid mind might naturally recoil, -and stand aghast at the thought of approaching such volume of intense -heat and "devouring flames." Remember that you are still in the body, -subject to all the pains and penalties of fallen humanity. Remember -that God has created no element incompatible with his own nature; -remember that He is the Almighty power who hath created all things, -and in the infinity of His power, can control any element for our -happiness, and also the same for our misery. Thus it will appear that -"every man's work shall be tried as by fire;" the righteous to be -saved as by fire, and yet the wicked to be destroyed or tormented by -fire. In this we can see the Infinity of the power of God in the -salvation and happiness of His children--who are "the children of -light," as also in the torments of the "children of darkness." - -But we shall be able to show that "God's Spirit _is fire_" and that He -_does_ so control this element, or change our nature, that whatever -these may be, they are properly adapted to constitute ineffable -happiness to the immortal state of the righteous. This, we trust, will -appear plain to you before you have finished the perusal of these -pages. - - - - -_THE SUN, AND GLOBE WITHIN._ - - -We now propose to continue our investigations of the Sun; in -considering its surrounding elements, offices, &c. - -We have already said that it is the main-spring, and we may add, -barring the Great Author, the source and fountain of animated Nature; -the source of light and heat, the two stimulants of vital force, -without which no animated life could exist on this earth; and so, -doubtless, with all the other planets and worlds which it controls. -And, while contemplating it thus as the immediate source of unnumbered -blessings to the human race, and to all intelligences or animation -belonging to this, or other worlds within its domain, we should not -fail in devout reverence to the _great Author_, who created all by the -"Word of His Power"--not only our Sun and its retinue of attendant -planets, but those innumerable, far distant ones of which we have told -you, with all _their_ attendant trains, yea, even all things, above, -around, and beneath; the computation of whose numbers, their -magnitude, grandeur, and transcendent glory so far exceeds our finite -comprehension, that we are lost in wonder and amazement, and can but -feel that, in comparison, we are less than an _atom_ of this vast and -boundless Universe of Creation. - -The Sun, represented as a "brilliant orb" a "luminary" or "luminous -body," has also been denominated a "globe of fire." Some astronomers -consider it an "_incandescent_ body" (_glowing whiteness of intense -heat_). - -Dr. Herschel's views respecting the Sun are, that it is a planetary -body like our earth, diversified with mountains and valleys, to which, -on account of the magnitude of the Sun, he assigns a prodigious -extent--some mountains six hundred miles high, and valleys -proportionately deep. He does not employ in his explanations volcanic -fires, as some others have done, but supposes two separate regions of -dense clouds floating in the solar atmosphere at different distances -from the sun. The exterior stratum of clouds he considers as the -depository of the sun's light and heat, while the interior stratum -serves as an awning or screen to the body of the sun itself, which -thus becomes fitted to sustain life-animation. This refutes the idea -advanced by that celebrated French Astronomer, La Lande, who held -"that the sun is a solid opaque body, having its exterior diversified -with high mountains and deep valleys, and covered all over with a -burning sea of liquid matter. The solar spots, he supposed, were -produced by the flux and reflux of the fiery sea, retreating -occasionally from the mountains, and exposing to view a portion of the -dark body of the sun." - -But Prof. Olmsted (to whom we are indebted for this and much other -information on this subject), refutes this hypothesis by showing the -inconsistency that fluid, of the nature here spoken of, or supposed to -exist, should depart so far from its equilibrium and remain so long -fixed, as to lay bare the immense space occupied by the solar -spots--some of which are supposed to be fifty thousand miles in -diameter. - -Prof. Olmsted also examines the hypothesis of Dr. Herschel, relative -to clouds surrounding the sun, and reasons as follows: "I am compelled -to think the hypothesis (of Dr. H.) is encumbered with very serious -objections. Clouds analogous to those of our atmosphere (and Dr. H., -expressly asserts that his lower stratum of clouds are analogous to -ours, and reasons respecting the upper stratum according to the same -analogy) cannot exist in hot air; they are tenants only of cold -regions. How can they be supposed to exist in the immediate vicinity -of a fire so intense, that they are even dissipated by it at the -distance of ninety-five millions of miles? Much less can they be -supposed to be the depositories of such devouring fire, when any thing -in the form of clouds floating in our atmosphere, is at once -scattered and dissolved by the accession of only a few degrees of -heat. Nothing, moreover, can be imagined more unfavorable for -radiating heat to such a distance than the light, inconstant matter of -which clouds are composed, floating loosely in the solar atmosphere." - -Prof. Olmsted continues, "If we inquire whether the surface of the Sun -is in a state of actual combustion, like burning fuel, or merely in a -state of intense ignition, like a stone heated to redness in a -furnace, we shall find it most reasonable to conclude that it is in a -state of ignition. If the body of the Sun were composed of combustible -matter and were actually on fire, the material of the Sun would be -continually wasting away, while the products of combustion would fill -all the vast surrounding regions, and obscure the light of the Sun. -But solid bodies may attain a very intense state of ignition, and glow -with the most fervent heat, while none of their material is consumed, -and no clouds or fumes rise to obscure their brightness, or to impede -their further emission of heat." Hence, for these and other reasons, -Prof. Olmsted thinks it more probable that the heat is that of a high -state of ignition, rather than produced from combustion. - -Thus we see that while all Astronomers agree that the Sun is the -source of light and heat; that this heat is vastly intense; consuming, -and yet never consumed or exhausted, it is a difficult matter to -determine the nature and true element composing it. All agree however, -that God himself created it and placed it in its proper position, and -controls it for His own wise purposes. - -Most Astronomers consider it an incandescent body (glowing whiteness -of intense heat), encircled with two atmospheres. That next its -surface is supposed to be nonluminous, while the outer one which -floats upon it is _luminous_--and forms a "_photosphere_," this is -what we see in looking at the Sun's bright disk. This photosphere -radiates the heat and light which vivify the planets of the solar -system, and imparts the stimulæ of life and animation. It is said that -flame-like masses--some computed to be one hundred and fifty thousand -miles in length--are piled upon, and overlap each other, and sweep -onward in constant agitation like mountain billows of living fire. Its -brightness far transcends and pales that of all other luminaries, and -would that of millions of stars as bright as Sirius, or even hundreds -of thousands of full moons. - -We accept this view, as to the outer photosphere, and believe this -"_incandescent_," yet not a solid body, but rather a _photospheric -ethereal_ element occupying its appointed space, and that it has -nothing to do whatever, with the vast _inner globe_ which is entirely -shielded from it by the intervening void, denominated by Astronomers -as a surrounding nonluminous atmosphere. Sir John Herschel tells us -that his investigations led him to the belief that this shields the -globe within, and thus renders it susceptible of maintaining life, or -some form of animated existence. Hence, we deem the evidences afforded -by astronomy, strong, if not fully conclusive that our hypothesis is -correct. But when we add to this the evidences found in the -Bible--God's own revelations to man--we think there can scarcely -remain a doubt in the mind of any who follow us in this investigation. - - * * * * * - -We now propose to consider more definitely the nature of that volume -of flame, or intense heat, which we denominate the _Sun_. Of its -temperature it is difficult to form an estimate the least -comprehensive. We know our furnace heat will fuse cast-iron at a -little less than 3,000 degrees. Oxy-hydrogen flame--one of the hottest -known--is estimated at about 14,000 degrees Fahrenheit, while the -temperature ascribed to the Sun is about 12,000,000. There is nothing -our senses can realize, or our minds conceive, that will enable us -even to approximate the intensity of this heat. - - * * * * * - -Now we have seen that the Sun is the source of all light and heat; the -source--when the element is concentrated--of that which we denominate -_fire_. The phenomena that fire pervades, by some of its constituents, -every thing, and all space, is incomprehensible otherwise than in the -belief that the Spirit of God is everywhere. Although fire is always -on this Earth in a concentrated form, yet its source is the Sun, and -from this source we can concentrate it into visible ignition. And yet -we see that the element itself is _ethereal_; it will consume by -combustion, yet its heat and flame always tends upward, and disappears -in its own ethereal element, and we can recognize no solid substance -in it. We can feel and realize its warmth and vivifying influence; we -enjoy the light, as one of its productions, yet all are _ethereal_, -and we cannot grasp, mould, or retain it. We know that the Sun--that -volume of heat--is the active source and agency of life and animation, -and it imparts its blessings to us in a thousand ways; yet, misused, -it proves the source and element of punishment and destruction. - -We have said that light and heat are the two great stimulants of vital -force. These two stimulants are inseparably connected. Heat is the -source of light, and without heat _there would be no light_, for even -reflected light is derived from this source; this is manifest to every -intelligent mind. Therefore, we see plainly that the Sun is the -source and mainspring of all animation, and to its influence, directed -and controlled by the Allwise Creator, are we indebted for every -blessing--nay, even life itself. It acts upon the elements appointed -unto it, and brings forth all animation. It causes the earth to yield -her productions; clothes the forest with green, gives to the "rose" -and the "lily" their beautiful tints and fragrance, and imparts to the -flowers of garden and forest their thousand variegated hues. It gives -to man his strength and wisdom, and to woman her beauty and -loveliness, and--with refined and cultivated intellect--her ten -thousand charms. - - - - -_THE PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM._ - - -Let us now turn our attention, for a short time, to the contemplation -of the planets, or worlds, belonging to our own solar system; those -within the domain of our own Sun, and to which it dispenses light and -heat. With these, our Astronomers are, so to speak, quite familiar. We -cannot do better than to present them to you in the language of Dr. -Child, whose writings have afforded us so much correct data in -preceding pages. - -"In gazing at our fellow-planets on a clear night, as we see them -stand out with pre-eminent brightness among the twinkling stars, who -has not longed to penetrate the mystery of their being, and to know -whether they, like our own Earth, are worlds full of life and -movement? The vast distance that intervenes between us forbids us to -expect a direct solution of the question, for no instrument yet made, -or that we can hope to make, will bring their possible inhabitants -within the range of our vision. We are reduced, therefore, to survey -them with the sifting force of intellect, and to rest contented with -such circumstantial proof as is derived from a knowledge of their -general structure, and the analogies subsisting between them and our -Earth. - -"Among our nearest neighbors, _Venus_ is nearly the size of our Earth; -and _Mercury_ and _Mars_, though considerably smaller, would still -form worlds which, to our ideas, would not in their magnitude be so -very different from our own. As before remarked, all the planets -revolve in elliptical orbits round the Sun, and the time consumed in -their journey constitutes their year. Their polar axis is not -'straight up and down,' but leans over or is inclined to the plane of -their orbit, so that each pole is turned toward the Sun at one period -of the year, and away from it at another. This arrangement insures the -regular alternation of seasons and a variety of climates on their -surface. The orbital inclination of _Mars_, for example, is much the -same as that of the Earth, and, therefore, the relative proportion of -his seasons must have a close resemblance to our own. It might be -expected under these circumstances that ice would accumulate toward -the poles in winter time, as on our Earth, and accordingly glacial -accumulations have not only been observed by Astronomers, but it has -been remarked that they occasionally diminish by melting during the -heats of summer, while they increase in winter. Now as the planets, -like the Earth, turn round on their axis with perfect regularity--and -those just mentioned do so in very similar periods of time, hence, all -have their days and nights. - -"We have already stated that the Earth and its fellow-planets are kept -steadily in their orbits by the exact adjustment of _centrifugal_ and -_centripetal_ forces. Hence each moves in its regular order. - -"Now by way of comparison, Astronomers have denominated the Sun as a -globe two feet in diameter, or six feet in circumference. Starting -from this globe let us wing our way across the space filled by the -solar system. A short flight of thirty-seven millions of miles brings -us to a world which, compared to the two-feet globe, is no larger than -a grain of mustard seed, while it is so bathed in the Sun's dazzling -rays that it is not easily distinguished when viewed from the Earth. -This fussy little planet whirls round the Sun at the tremendous pace -of 100,000 miles an hour, by which he proves his title to be called -_Mercury_, the 'swift-footed,' of mythology. At a distance of -sixty-eight millions of miles from the Sun we behold _Venus_, the -brightest and most dazzling of the heavenly hosts. In comparative size -she may be represented as a _pea_. She is our nearest neighbor among -the planets, and the conditions under which she exists recall many of -those under which we ourselves live. About ninety-five millions of -miles from the Sun we come upon another 'pea' a trifle larger than the -one representing _Venus_, and in it we hail our own familiar Mother -Earth. Here we shall not now linger, but passing onward some fifty -millions of miles we are attracted by the well-known ruddy glow of -_Mars_--whose comparative size is that of a _pin's head_. His mean -orbital speed is 54,000 miles an hour--nearly our own pace--but as he -takes twice as much time to run round the Sun as we do, his year is -consequently twice as long. - -"Casting a glance behind, we are reminded of the growing distance that -now separates us from the sun by the perceptible waning of his light. - -"We next spread our wings for a very long flight. In passing through -the "asteroid" zone of solar space, about 260 millions of miles from -the sun, we may chance to fall in with some worlds of smaller -dimensions than those we have been contemplating. We know very little -about them, except that their ways are eccentric and mysterious. At -length the shores of huge _Jupiter_ are reached at a distance of -nearly 500 millions of miles from the sun. To carry on the comparison, -he is a "small orange" to the "pea" of our earth, or to the two feet -globe that represents the sun. His orbit is a path 3,000 millions of -miles long, which he accomplishes in an "annual" period of about 12 of -our years. The sun's light has now shrunk considerably; but four -brilliant moons or satellites, one or more of which are always "full," -help to afford some compensation. But let us "onward" in our -"outward-bound" course. We again pass through a space of nearly equal -distance as that of _Jupiter_ from the sun. We are now more than 900 -_millions_ of miles distant from the central pivot. Here we fall in -with _Saturn_, whose comparative size may be represented by an orange -considerably smaller than the last (bear in mind the comparative -sizes, our earth as a "_pea_" to these each an orange). His year -swallows up almost thirty of our own. And in this far distant region -the Sun, though giving only about one ninetieth part of the light -which we receive, is still equal to 300 full moons, and is at least -sufficient for vision, and all the necessary purposes of life, while -no fewer than eight satellites supplement the waning sun-light, -besides a mysterious luminous "ring" of vast proportions. - -"Twice as far away from the Sun as Saturn, _Uranus_, represented by a -_cherry_, plods his weary course. Although his real diameter is 35,000 -miles, his circumference over 100,000, being more than four times the -size of our own earth, yet he is rarely seen by the naked eye. His -annual journey round the Sun is 10,000 millions of miles, and he -consumes what we should consider a lifetime, 84 _years_, in getting -over it. Our little _earth_ has now faded out of sight. - -"Only a few years ago, _Uranus_ was the last planetary station of our -system, but the discovery of Neptune in 1846, gave us another -resting-place on the long journey into space. Here, at a distance of -nearly 3,000 _millions_ of miles from the Sun, we may pause awhile -before entering upon the more remote exploration of the '_starry_ -universe.' - -"We are approaching the frontier regions of our system, and the Sun's -light and the power of his attraction are gradually passing away. -Between the shores of our Sun-system and the shores of the nearest -star-system--they also being suns--lies a vast, mysterious chasm, in -the recesses of which may still lurk some undiscovered planets, but -into which, so far as we yet know, the wandering comets alone plunge -deeply. - -"We now stand on the frontier of the Sun's domain, and are, in -imagination, looking across one of those broad gulfs which, like -impassable ramparts fence off the different systems of the universe -from each other. It seemed needful that the great Architect should -interpose some such barrier between the contending attractions of the -giant masses of matter scattered through space; that there should be a -_sea_ of limitation in which forces, whose action might disturb each -other, should die out and be extinguished. In it the flood-light of -our glorious Sun gets weaker and weaker, and its bright disk wastes -away by distance, until it shines only as a twinkling star. And the -strong chain of its attraction which held with firm grasp the planets -in their orbits, after dwindling by fixed degrees into a force that -would not break a gossamer, is finally dissipated and lost. - -"Now we ask, Is it likely that those vast orbs--with masses and -densities so wonderfully modified and adjusted in accordance with what -we perceive to be the requirements of living creatures--with years and -months, days and nights, seasons and climates--with atmosphere and -twilights, trade-winds and currents--with clouds and rains, continents -and seas, mountains and polar snows--with sun, moon, and stars, and, -in short, with all the elements that make up the conditions of a -habitable globe--is it likely that those glorious works of the Creator -should have been formed to lie waste, sterile, and unprofitable? Or -even if we could bring ourselves to think that those masses, whose -united bulk dwarfs our Earth into insignificance, had been solely -created as make-weights to keep this little atom of Earth in its -place, why should they have been provided with complicated systems of -moons revolving round them to give them auxiliary light? The Sun's -light they share in common with ourselves; but for what conceivable -purpose should deserts void of life have been supplied with those -wonderful lamps to light them up in the absence of the Sun? Conditions -that might be incompatible with our organization, may be by -adjustment of creative wisdom exactly suited to the beings placed to -inhabit them. All life, even if it be essentially the same in -principle, may not everywhere assume the same phase of outward -existence, nor need we attempt to set limits in this respect to the -Lord of Life. The spaces lie there furnished ready--the Word was only -required to people them with life. - -"Such inquiries have an interest which goes beyond their mere -astronomical import, for they touch our conceptions of God's -greatness, wisdom, and power. Is there one who does not long to be -able reasonably to cherish the thought that, far away from this _tiny_ -speck of Earth, in the remote realms of space, we behold worlds -inhabited by beings who, it may be, are privileged to know their -Creator, and to bless, praise, and magnify Him forever." - - - - -We have seen that all leading Astronomers agree in the fact of a -"_plurality of suns_," and a "_plurality of worlds_," and their -numbers so vast that they are beyond our computation. Now we hold that -in all this vast creation, there is a controlling element, and that -this element is necessarily manifest in all things, and so -predominates that percipient intelligences should, and we believe -can--to a certain extent--comprehend it. Do you ask, what is this -element? we answer _fire_! - -We have presented to your mind--as far as we are able to -comprehend--the Infinity of God's wisdom and power, as manifested in -his wonderful Creations; not only in creating this Earth on which we -live, and all pertaining thereunto, but of Heavens, Suns, Planets and -Worlds, whose numbers are _millions_, as they are seen standing out -and peopling the realms of boundless space, and yet we know that so -vast is the infinity of His wonderful creations, that we have given to -the mind only a bird's-eye view within the borders of His boundless -Empire. - -We are aware that the idea we advance--that the vast globe, encircled -by the photosphoric, ethereal flame (that which we denominate the -Sun), _is our heaven_, as also the heaven for intelligences of the -other planets of our solar system, and that there are numerous other -suns of similar import which may also be heavens for created -intelligences inhabiting their surrounding planets--is new to the mind -of man, and that at first thought some may be incredulous; thus, as we -said in the beginning, it has ever been with all important -discoveries, and especially so of discoveries through the lights and -science of astronomy. Nevertheless, the wondrous works of the Creator, -as we have surveyed and contemplated them--we think--will justify our -hypothesis. But to all the foregoing we shall still add stronger, and -we think, more convincing evidences, when we come to contemplate the -elements of the Sun--fire, heat, and light--in connection with God's -intercourse by His Spirit, and His dealings with man. - - - - -_GOD'S THRONE SHALL ENDURE FOREVER; SO ALSO SHALL THE SUN. CONCLUSIVE -SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE FOR ALL THAT WE CLAIM._ - - -God hath sworn by His Holiness, that the seed of David (the MESSIAH), -should "endure forever, and his throne as the Sun before him." - -The Psalmist, referring to the Messiah says, "His name shall endure -forever. His name shall be continued as long as the Sun, and all -nations shall call him blessed." Here we have the assurance of the -eternal duration of the Sun; even as the Throne of God which is to -"endure forever and ever." The promise is, that - - "His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne - as the days of heaven. Thy throne O God is forever and - ever." - -Thus, we see that the Sun and the heaven are to endure as long as the -throne of God, and his throne is to endure "forever and ever." - -Now to us, to all, while dwelling in mortality, the Sun dispenses its -blessings alike. "He maketh the Sun to shine on the evil and on the -good, and sendeth the rain on the just, and on the unjust." - -Thus, we see that the Sun is the active agency for the dispensing of -His blessings to man and all animation on this Earth. Its rays of -light and heat penetrate the bosoms of oceans and seas, and draw up -from "the fountains of the deep" the "liquid element" in ascending -vapor, and condensing it into clouds, scatter and return it in rains, -and gentle showers, to water and replenish the Earth and make it bring -forth for sustenance of man and beast, and renew the verdure of -nature. - -Now do we not see in all this, as in all things else, that the -Sun--its heat and light--are God's agencies in sustaining all things? -We have told you that we could comprehend that it _was_ an agency -pervading and controlling all things. But you have doubtless noticed -the fact that as we have followed up and grasped the revelations made -by Philosophers and Astronomers, that the ablest of them have failed -to comprehend the _nature_ of the eternal source of fire. All agree in -the one fact, however, that it is derived from the Sun. No finite mind -ever has comprehended, nor, it may be, ever will be able to fully -comprehend it. We know that it exists. We apply to it properties and -principles, or components which form the element. Beyond this we -cannot go, only we know that God himself is its author; that it is an -element intimately connected with Himself--nay more, that He has even -revealed to us that _His Spirit is fire_! And when we contemplate the -fact that it is the only completely destructive, or _annihilating_ -element, and yet one that can _never be destroyed_; one that is to -purify the righteous, and yet punish the wicked, we are led to the -inevitable conclusion that it is an _attribute_ of the Great Jehovah. -We believe it an element of creative agency, one that has -existed--possibly--from all eternity, and will continue through all -eternity to come. We are told that God, by His Spirit, is manifest in -all His works. Now, what else than _light_, and _heat_, is thus -manifest to us? It is positively _the source of all light_, and St. -Paul tells us that "All things are made manifest by light;" while the -Psalmist declares "His going forth is from the _end of the heaven_, -and His circuit unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the -_heat_ thereof." - -Now we see that this declaration establishes our hypothesis of the -location of heaven. His going forth from the _end of the heaven_--from -the sun--and nothing is hid from the heat thereof--the Sun being the -source of heat--is conclusive evidence that the _Sun_ is near--even at -the _ends_ of the heaven. - -In the further contemplation of the hypothesis, that the Spirit of -God is _as_ fire, you will remember that we have stated that some of -the constituent elements of fire pervades all things, and also that -God--_by His Spirit_--is everywhere, and in all His works. Hear the -Psalmist, on this subject: - - "Whither shall I go from thy _Spirit_? Whither shall I flee - from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art - there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If - I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost - parts of the sea, even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy - right hand shall hold me. - - "If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me; even the - night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not - from thee: but the night shineth as the day: the darkness - and the light are both alike to thee." - -Mark well this testimony, that while the Spirit of God is everywhere, -so, also, is that Spirit _light_, and there is no darkness, save to -those vailed in humanity. When spirit is free from mortality; is -accepted of God, and clothed upon with immortality; _as spirit_, it -partakes of His own nature, and will, henceforth, dwell forever in -eternal light. - -Now what the Sun is to this earth and its inhabitants, so also we -believe it to be to the inhabitants of all the other planets belonging -to its system; all of which worlds it controls, even as it does this. -And here the mind goes out in the contemplation of the hypothesis, -that all those other suns, standing far out in sidereal regions--each -governing and controlling its own system of planets, or worlds--are -also _heavens_ for created intelligences inhabiting such planets. God -is Infinite, as well as Omnipresent. Infinite in wisdom, and in His -creative power. - - "Who can set bounds to the Almighty?" - -Therefore _Suns_, and consequently _heavens_, may be numbered by -_millions_, and their surrounding worlds by _billions_; yet all -created, governed, and controlled by the infinite wisdom and power of -the great Architect of the Universe. Such hypothesis is wonderful for -finite minds to contemplate, yet not more so than the fact of the -existence of our own solar system. - -That the Sun shall endure forever, no rational mind can doubt. God's -own word assures this, and that His throne shall endure as long as the -Sun. Should He quench the fires of the Sun, and yet make no other -provision for light and heat, all would be blackness, darkness, and -desolation, and no animated life could exist on this earth, or -surrounding worlds. - - * * * * * - -Having assumed the hypothesis that that which we denominate the SUN is -a volume of _photospheric-ethereal_, or SPIRIT-FIRE; that it is the -source of all that we can comprehend of _light_ and _heat_; we have -also stated our belief that it is an _attribute_ of the Eternal -One--possibly an agency of _creative power_--we believe we shall be -able to make this plain to every reflecting mind, in our further -contemplations of the revelations which God has made of himself, as we -find them recorded in the Bible. These revelations are plain, and we -believe the time in the history of our world has come, when we should -more fully comprehend them--even the nature of His manifestations, and -thus comprehend more our own relations to Him, and by this means be -enabled to "come to a knowledge of His truth," and more fully realize -His prescience, day by day. That this has not been more fully -comprehended heretofore, must seem a mystery to every reflecting mind. - -Now what are these revelations? Let us examine. - -We learn from Bible History, that "God created man in His own image, -and after His own likeness." "In the image of God created He him; male -and female, created He them." Thus, in creation, man is spoken of in -the _plural_. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, -and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a -living soul." Now "the first Adam was made a living soul, and the -second Adam a quickening spirit." The terms soul and spirit are held -as synonymous; both having reference to our immortal nature, and, as -this immortal nature emanated from God our Creator, and is of His own -eternal attribute, it can never die; hence, it must exist through all -eternity. - -Job asks, "To whom hast Thou uttered words? whose spirit came from -Thee?" and in Ecclesiastes it is declared, "The spirit shall return to -God who gave it." St. John, the revelator, tells us that "God is a -spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in -truth." While St. Paul says, "His spirit beareth witness with our -spirits, that we are the children of God." - -Now you will remember that St. John, the revelator, has told us that -it was revealed to him that "the seven lamps of _fire_, were the seven -spirits of God," while Job says, "A flame goeth out of His mouth, and -God by his spirit garnished the heavens." - -We wish you to bear this evidence in mind. For Job not only speaks of -a _plurality of heavens_, but explains by what agency they were -garnished--even by the _Spirit of God_. Now we know that garnishment -is transcendent brightness, and brilliancy; to adorn and polish -_surface_. Is it not therefore, probable that Job had reference to -that bright _ethereal spirit flame_, whose brilliancy blinds us if we -attempt a lingering gaze at the Sun's bright disk? 'Tis said that -heaven within is lighted with the "glory of God." - -In our previous arguments, we have showed, conclusively, that the Sun -is the source of fire, heat, and light. Let us now further examine the -offices of this element thus derived from the _Sun_, and note in this -investigation whether it is not, in some way, intimately connected -with _heaven_. - -_First._ Under the Mosaic dispensation, God commanded His Prophets, -and Priests, to build unto Him an Altar, and to offer sacrifices -thereon; and such sacrifices would be accepted by Him, as should be -evidenced by his sending down fire from heaven to consume the -offerings. He also commanded, through Moses, that the fires should -ever be burning upon the altar, and that the Priests should continue -to renew sacrifices and burnt offerings upon it. These sacrifices were -as memorials before the Lord, and typical of the coming of Christ, who -should be the "great sacrifice," to ransom fallen man. - -Now it will be remembered that when such offerings were made, fire -came down from heaven and consumed the offerings, and thus made -manifest that the sacrifices were accepted of God. (Let it be -remembered that we have shown, as far as finite mind can comprehend, -that the _Sun_ is the only direct source of fire, and then remember -that _fire came down from heaven_.) - -In the book of Job we read, - - "_The fire of God has fallen from heaven._" - -The Psalmist tells us that - - "God is a _Sun_ and a shield, who maketh His angels spirits, - and His ministers a flaming fire." - -Now we know that angels are God's ministers, and how oft do we find -recorded in the Bible, how--under the earlier dispensation--they -appeared on earth in forms of _fire_, and with the brightness of the -_Sun_. - -The Psalmist tells us again that: - - "Our God shall come, a fire shall devour before Him. A fire - goeth before Him and burneth up His enemies." - -The prophet Jeremiah proclaims: - - "Wherefore, thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Behold, I will - make my words in thy mouth fire." - -The Psalmist answers: - - "While I was musing the fire burned." - -Thus, how plain the revelations that _God's Spirit is fire_. Not -necessarily manifested at all times, by the burning and consuming our -mortal bodies--this only in His _wrath_--but by the purifying of our -natures; "burning up the dross, and base desires," and thus fitting us -for the enjoyment of heaven and happiness, for - - "He shall be as a refiner's fire, and the righteous are - saved as by fire." - -Let us hear what the prophet Jeremiah saith: - - "For behold the Lord will come with fire; and with His - chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, - and His rebukes with flames of fire, and the slain of the - Lord shall be many." - -Ah, when He comes forth with His _Spirit of fire_ in _wrath_ and -indignation, then it is that this element is one of terrible -destruction. Comprehending this, the a same prophet inquires: - - "Who among us shall dwell with devouring fire? Who among - _us_ shall dwell in everlasting burnings?" - -Hear the answer of God, given through his prophet to all His obedient -and faithful children: - - "Though thou walkest through the fires, thou shalt not be - burned, neither shall the flames kindle upon thee." - -Again, of His Spirit in a milder form: - - "Is not my _word_ like fire, saith the Lord?" - -The prophet answers: - - "His word was in my heart as a burning fire." - -Now remember that: - - "By the _word_ of the Lord were the heavens made, and all - the hosts of them by the breath of His mouth." - -_And here His word is represented as_ FIRE! - -In the first book of the Chronicles it is written: - - "Every man's work shall be tried by fire." - -And, in the second book of the Chronicles: - - "And when the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, - and the glory of the Lord upon the House, they bowed - themselves with their faces to the ground, and worshipped - and praised the Lord." - -Thus, no one dared gaze on the brightness of that _glory_, and all -bowed "with their faces _to the ground_." - -Turning to the book of Deuteronomy, we find written: - - "The Lord thy God is a consuming fire. Understand therefore - this day, that the Lord thy God is He that goeth over before - thee as a consuming fire. Out of heaven He made thee to hear - His voice, that He might instruct thee; and upon earth He - showed thee His great fire; and thou heardest His words out - of the midst of the fire." - -In Leviticus we find written: - - "And there went out a fire from the Lord and devoured them, - and they died before the Lord. And there came a fire out - from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt - offerings--which, when the people saw, they shouted and fell - on their faces." - -Let us contemplate, for a moment, the sacrilege of the attempt at -using this element--during the old dispensation--to the consuming of -an offering or sacrifice to any other than the _one true and living -God_. Turn to the Book of Numbers, and read, - - "When the people offered incense upon the strange altar, - there came down fire from the Lord and consumed the two - hundred and fifty who offered the incense. And Nahab and - Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the Lord." - -Second Kings, vi. 17: - - "Elisha said, they that be for us are more than they that - are against us; he prayed, and God opened the young man's - eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of - horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." - -Thus we see that this element--in its destructive form--is the ready -manifestation of God's displeasure. - -Turn to Exodus, and read,-- - - "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him (Moses), in a - flame of fire out of the midst of a bush, and he looked, and - behold the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not - consumed." _Again_, "The cloud of the Lord was upon the - Tabernacle by day, and a fire was upon it by night in sight - of all the house of Israel." _Again_, "And the sight of the - glory of the Lord was like devouring fire upon the top of - the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel." - -Now let us consider this element in its offices when controlled by the -Great Jehovah. - -Judges, xiii. 20: - - "For it came to pass when the flame went up toward heaven - from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in - the flame of the altar." - -Here there was no delusive manifestation, but the actual _flame of -fire_, ascending upward toward heaven; even to the _Sun_ its original -source. - -We will now turn to the Book of the Second Kings, and--in our mind's -eye--join the prophets "as they walked and talked with Elijah" and -witness one of the most sublime scenes the eye of man has ever beheld: - - "And it came to pass as they still went on and talked, that - behold there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, - and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a - whirlwind into heaven." - -Was there not a startling, and sublime revelation, that this element -controlled, can be suited, even to our enjoyment of _happiness_ when -the great change comes; when this mortal shall put on immortality? - -In the Book of Malachi--the last of the Old Testament scriptures--we -hear the voice of Him who had promised deliverance, speaking to us -through His prophet: - - "Unto you that fear my name, shall the _Sun_ of - righteousness arise." - -Thus we see that the promised Messiah was spoken of as a _Sun_. - -Turning to the record of the New Testament, we find the Saviour's -advent into this world signaled by a brilliant "Star," emblematical of -the _Sun_, shining in all its splendor, brilliancy, and beauty, and -leading the wise men to where lay the "Infant of days"--the veiled -"Star," or _Sun_, of light and immortality. - -At a later day, behold Him manifesting His veiled brightness, as he -stood "_transfigured on the Mount_" before Peter, James and John, when -"_His face did shine as the Sun, and His raiment white as the light_." - -But we deem it unnecessary to dwell upon all the symbols of _fire_, -_heat_, and _light_, so clearly representative, which may be found -interspersed throughout the Old, and the New Testament pages. We will -catch up a few others as we pass along, before, in mind, taking our -stand with John, the revelator, on the Isle of Patmos. St. Paul tells -us,-- - - "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His - mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that - know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus - Christ." And that the "Lord shall consume with the spirit of - His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His - coming." - -St. John, says: - - "_I indeed baptize you with water, but he that cometh after - me is mightier than I, he shall baptize you with the Holy - Ghost and_ WITH FIRE." - -Thus we see that _spirit_ is denominated _fire_ in the ordinance of -_Spiritual Baptism_. - -And St. Paul says: - - "By one spirit are we all baptized into one body." - - * * * * * - -Let us now glance at the account of John's spiritual vision while on -the Isle of Patmos, as recorded in the Book of Revelation: - -"I heard behind me a great voice as the voice of a trumpet, saying, I -am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the -ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, -the Almighty. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me, and I -saw seven golden candlesticks, and One in the midst of the -candlesticks like unto the Son of Man. His head and his hair were -white as the snow, and his eyes were as _flames of fire_, and his feet -like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice as -the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars; -and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword; _and his -countenance was as the Sun shining in his strength_." - -John saw the door of heaven opened and a voice as of a trumpet said -unto him, "Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things which must -be hereafter." He continues. "And immediately I was in the spirit, -and, behold a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne, -who, to look upon was like jasper, and there was a rainbow round about -the throne, in sight like unto an emerald, and around the throne sat -four and twenty elders in raiment of white, and out of the throne -proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices, and there were -seven lamps of _fire_ burning before the throne, _which are the seven -spirits of God_. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there -was seen in his temple the ark of his testament, and there were -lightnings, and voices, and thunderings. And there appeared a great -wonder in heaven, _a woman clothed with the Sun_. And I saw another -mighty angel coming down from heaven clothed with a cloud, and a -rainbow was upon his head and his face was, as it were the _Sun_, and -his feet as pillars of _fire_." - -"_And the city had no need of the Sun_, for the glory of God did -lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." "And there shall be no -night there, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign -forever and ever. The Lord God shall be unto them an everlasting -light, and the days of their mourning shall be ended." - - "_Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the - Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear let him - hear._" (Matt. xiii. 43.) - - * * * * * - -We have quoted the foregoing Scriptural passages--to which we might -add scores of others of similar import--to show the connection of the -element of fire, heat and light--with God himself, and that while it -proves the agency; at least in dispensing His blessings to all -animated life, and can be so controlled by Him that--even in its -intensity--it cannot harm the righteous, either in body or spirit, -when He interposes; yet it is the certain agency of destruction, and -the torment of the wicked at His will; or without this interposition. -Certain it is, that it is the _agency_ by which He has made Himself -manifest to man, and this agency still continues in the dispensing of -all the manifold blessings we enjoy, day by day, and should cause -every heart to turn to Him with reverence and grateful emotions. The -mind of the Christian world should acknowledge the omnipresence of the -Infinite One; that He pervades all space, and is manifest in all -things; while each individual should feel as Elihu did when he uttered -the words, "The _Spirit_ of God hath made me, and the breath of the -Almighty hath given me life;" and exclaim with the Psalmist: - - "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall - continually be in my mouth. The eyes of the Lord are ever - upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. O - magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name - together. God is our refuge and strength, a very present - help in trouble." "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place - in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, - or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from - everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." - -Now we have seen that God--by His Spirit, or influence--is everywhere; -that he pervades the universe of His Creation; that his nature is -eternal and indestructible, while all else--save man's immortal nature -derived from God--is destructible. We are plainly told in the Bible -that the _Spirit of God is fire_; that _His Word is fire_; that He is -like a _refiner's fire_--even as a purifier of silver. That every -man's work shall be tried _by fire_; the righteous saved as by _fire_; -that, to his people, He will be as _a wall of fire_; and though they -pass through the fire they shall not be burned; neither shall the -flames kindle upon them. And yet our God is a _consuming fire_, before -whom the wicked shall not stand. That the _fire_ of His anger, and His -_wrath_, shall be kindled against them, when all the proud, yea, and -all that do wickedly shall be cast into the fire that will never be -quenched; whose flames shall ascend up forever and ever. Oh, how plain -the revelations of God as to the immortality of the soul, and a future -state of existence! The righteous to enter into, and enjoy eternal -life; the wicked--who are dead in trespasses and in sins--to enter -into eternal death, even the "death that never dies." - -How _startling_ the fact of these plain revelations! God is now made -manifest to our daily and hourly comprehension. How dare we trifle -with Him, and our own soul's immortal interest? We are daily and -hourly rushing on to our own eternal destiny. Ere another year, a -month, a week or day is past, we may realize that "it is not all of -life to live, nor yet of death to die." No one can escape the eternal -fiat of Jehovah, "_dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return_." As -death leaves the body so judgment finds the soul. "The righteous shall -inherit eternal life;" "the wicked shall be driven away from the -presence of God, and from the glory of His power," and take up their -abode with tormenting devils "in everlasting burnings." - -Stop, poor wandering child of sin; yield obedience to the requirements -of God's law; "acknowledge Him in all thy ways, and He shall direct -thy paths." - -The Psalmist tells us that "_the Lord God is a Sun_." Saint John tells -us that, while in the Spirit, it was revealed to him that the -"_burning lamps of fire were spirits of God_." Now remember that we -have told you that the vast volume of flame of _ethereal fire outside_ -and _around_ the heavenly world, is all that we can see or comprehend -as the _Sun_; that flame is the source of all _light_, heat, and -animation: hence, considered in connexion with its offices, may we not -safely conclude that it is an _attribute of Jehovah_? - -The prophet Malachi foretold the coming of the "Sun of righteousness," -behold the "star in the east!" Who can doubt this star being a visible -manifestation of the _Spirit of God_? Christ, the Son of God, is -called "the _Sun_ of righteousness; the bright morning star." His -advent into the world was signalized by this sacred emblem--even by -the _Spirit of God_ revealed as the _brightness of a star_. How -appropriate this representation, when the Son of God came to usher in -the light of an eternal day to his people. Transfigured during His -stay on earth, "His face did shine as the Sun, and His raiment was -white as the light." Now remember, we are assured that the heavenly -world and city "hath no need of the _Sun_, for the glory of God doth -lighten it, and the Lamb (the Son of God) is the light thereof." - -Thus we think we have furnished conclusive Scripture evidence that -_God's Spirit is manifested by fire_. Fire is the source of all light, -and is also an element pervading all things throughout the vast -universe of God--in air and earth, seas and floods, rocks and -mountains, throughout all heights and depths. Hence, hear again the -exclamation of the Psalmist: "Whither shall I go from thy _Spirit_? or -whither shall I flee from thy presence?" Behold, God, by His Spirit, -is everywhere, even throughout the vast extended universe of all His -wondrous works. - -We have but to consider the source of this element--which is God -himself--and we shall then easily comprehend how it can, by the same -power, be adapted or made congenial to our mortal or immortal natures. -We have said, He has created no element incompatible with, or -uncongenial to His own nature, nor any that He cannot adapt to the -condition of the spirit-life of His children. Fire is an element -destructive of all things else save immortality, and that it is not -destructive of this, we have evidence in the fact that the wicked -shall be cast into the flames of hell, and suffer its torments for -ever and ever. And yet, while it is an element destructive of all -else, save immortality, it is one, and the _only one_ we can--even -partially--comprehend, that can _never be destroyed_. Mortality shall -be destroyed, and naught remain but immortality, purified by -fire--_the Spirit of God_. - -Now in order that His children _here_, might comprehend His infinite -power in controlling, or adapting this element to their happiness, He -has manifested this power even with mortality on this earth. Our -mortal bodies are susceptible of feeling its painful influences, and -of being destroyed by it--save when He intervenes, and changes our -nature so that it can have no impression upon us, or makes it a -congenial element in which we can enjoy happiness. That He can do, -and has done this, we have manifest in the miraculous preservation of -the three Hebrew children. For their refusal to forsake the Living -God, and worship the idol, or golden image set up by King -Nebuchadnezzar, the king commanded that the furnace should be heated -seven-fold, and they be bound and cast into it. This was done, and -while the heat was so intense as to destroy those who bore them to, -and plunged them into the fiery furnace, yet when the king looked into -it "he saw four men loose and walking in the midst of the flames; -praising God, and blessing the name of the Lord, and the fourth was -like unto the Son of God." The king called them to come forth, and -when the three who were cast in came forth, "not a hair of their heads -was singed, nor even the smell of fire passed on their garments." - -Thus we see the power of God manifest in the adaptation at His own -will, of this,--to our mortal bodies--painful and consuming element, -to our condition of happiness. And, on the other hand, when this -saving power is withheld, how certain is destruction, as manifested by -its destroying those who approached near enough to the furnace to cast -them in. O, the measure of happiness those children of the Most High -enjoyed in the midst of the burning flames! shouting and praising God. -And when they came out of the fiery furnace, they still continued -their triumphant shout; calling upon everything--animate, and -inanimate--throughout the vast Universe, to "bless, praise and magnify -the name of the Lord forever." - -That God can, and does make this element suited to the enjoyment of -happiness of His people, we have also seen manifested in the case of -Elijah taking his seat, at the command of God, in the "chariot of -fire," and with "horses of fire" ascending up into heaven. Thus, -"changed," as the apostle expresses it, "in the twinkling of an eye," -his mortality ceased, and "clothed upon with immortality," by Divine -power, he could ride in triumph with his steeds of fire, sitting in -his chariot of _burning flame_. - -We scarcely deem it necessary to refer again to the--almost -universally conceded--fact of man's immortal nature. By the breath of -God, man was made a living soul or spirit. God's spirit is _living -fire_; hence this immortal nature of man is _living fire_, an -attribute of God himself, and one which can never cease to exist; can -never be annihilated, but will live on, and on through all eternity. -But when this immortal principle of _spirit-fire_ leaves the body, -mortality ceases to live, and must decay and moulder into dust. For, -speaking of this mortal body, He hath said, "dust thou art, and unto -dust shalt thou return," and "the soul shall return to God who gave -it." - - - - -_SUN AND HEAVEN._ - - -Now to show the intimate connexion with the _Sun_ and _Heaven_, spoken -of in the Scriptures, we will here group together a few of the many -passages found written therein. - -The prophet Jeremiah, in referring to the great and terrible day of -the Lord, says "the light shall be darkened in the heavens;" and in -the Gospel according to St. Mark, referring to the same, we read that -"the _Sun_ shall be darkened;" and in the Revelation, that "the _Sun_ -and the air were darkened." Again, Jehovah, speaking to His people, -saith: "I will cover the _heaven_, and make the stars thereof dark;" -and, in order that we may more fully comprehend, he added: "I will -cover the _Sun_ with a cloud;" and the Psalmist tells us that "He -covereth the _heaven_ with a cloud;" and thus saith the Lord through -His prophet: "Be not dismayed at the signs of _heaven_; for the -heathen are dismayed at them." - -Thus we see that the _Sun_ and _heaven_ are often spoken of in -connexion with each other in regard to light. The Sun is to us the -source of _all light_, and in covering the _heaven_ He covereth the -Sun. But we see, as above, that He hath made this matter plain to our -comprehension by His own utterance: "_Be not dismayed by the signs of -heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them._" - -Now you will remember that the heathen, in ancient times--and even so -with them at the present day--were always dismayed and frightened at -the recurrence of an eclipse of the Sun, and imagined the time of the -world had come to an end. But the science of astronomy has -comprehended the laws of nature, and has revealed the true causes of -these seeming phenomena to the enlightenment of the world, and many -years previous to their occurrence. Astronomers can foretell the day, -the hour, and even the very moment when they will appear, or be -visible in any part of the world, as, also, when they will disappear. -But we see, however, that God himself has spoken of such eclipses as -"signs in the _heaven_," and yet they are eclipses of the _Sun_. - -But still more pointed and clear is the evidence of their connexion -given by the Saviour, where the Pharisees and Sadducees desired him to -show them "_a sign from heaven_." Hear His answer: "When it is -evening, ye say, It will be fair-weather, for the sky is red; and in -the morning, It will be foul weather to-day, for the sky is red and -lowering. O ye hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky, but ye -cannot discern the signs of the times." Now we here see that they -asked Him for a sign from _heaven_, and the Saviour answered promptly -by referring to the apparent phenomena produced by the disappearing -and reappearing of the _Sun_. Thus answering by signs which _they_ had -marked; _produced by the Sun_, which covereth the heaven from our -view. - -We have shown what all must acknowledge; that the _Sun_ is the only -source of fire, heat, and light which is comprehended in Nature. -Revelations of the Past, and predictions as to the Future, assure us -that God's _wrath_ is revealed by _fire_. Now from whence cometh this -fire when His wrath is thus revealed? God rained down fire and -brimstone from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and thus destroyed -those cities and their wicked inhabitants. Now, as the _wrath_ of God -is revealed by _fire_, St. Paul sets this matter at rest. Hear him: -"_The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and -unrighteousness of men._" Thus, His spirit of wrath is manifested by -fire; the _source_ of fire is the _Sun_, and He sends _fire from -heaven_. Hence, we cannot for a moment doubt the correctness of our -hypothesis that the source of fire, as manifested in the Past, and -also that which shall be manifested in the Future, is the _Sun_. And -wherein it is declared that fire came down from heaven, or out of -heaven, it was natural that such expressions were used, because it was -held that God resided in heaven, and He sent down fire from thence to -execute His judgments. - - - - -_A PLURALITY OF HEAVENS._ - - -The idea of a _plurality of heavens_, and their numbers almost -infinite, would seem at first thought to startle the mind, and -disarrange all our conceptions of the extent and machinery of the -universe, and of the employment of God, and all the angels, and other -intelligences He has made. Yet its truth only brings home to us the -insignificance of our own earth, and still more that of ourselves. We -are too prone to think that this earth and its inhabitants are the -principal objects of the Creator's care, and that _man_ is of vast -importance in the order of His arrangements, and of augmenting His -kingdom and glory. While the truth is, our world is insignificant, -when compared to His wonderful creations, and each individual as but a -single grain of sand among all that may be found upon the shores of -oceans and seas. And yet all that He hath made _are_ the objects of -His government and care. For "not even a sparrow falleth to the -ground" unknown to Him. - -That in His omnipotent and infinite power He can, and has created -separate systems of planet-worlds, and a central sun and heaven for -controlling each, we cannot doubt; neither is there more of -incomprehensible mystery in this contemplation than in that of our own -system of planets, with its central and controlling _Sun_ and heaven. - -Let us turn to revelations made, as recorded in the Bible, and see if -there are not declarations which sustain this hypothesis. In the -second book of the Kings it is written: "_But will God indeed dwell on -earth? behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain him_;" -and in the second book of the Chronicles: "_But who is able to build -him an house, seeing the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain -him._" The Psalmist says: "_The heavens; even the heavens are the -Lord's_," and "_The heavens declare the glory of God_," and that "_By -the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the hosts of them -by the breath of his mouth._" - -Thus we have conclusive evidence of a _plurality of heavens_, while, -possibly, their numbers are _millions_, their surrounding -planet-worlds _billions_, with a wide expanse of surrounding -"firmament of the heavens" bestrewn with "_glittering gems_," standing -out the grand _empyrean_ covering of all. - -Says Dr. Nichol: - -"Mystery, indeed, heavy, almost oppressive, hangs over all the -perceptive; but the shapes strown through that bewildering territory -have nothing in common with the fantastic creations of a dream. It is -the essence of these nebulæ that they are not formless, but, on the -contrary, impressed indelibly by system on the grandest scale; clearly -as a leaf they have organism; something has seized on their enormous -volumes, and moulded them into a wonderful order." Says Child: "Thus -every thing bears the mark of order impressed upon it by the Almighty -hand. That noble gift of God to man--the telescope--has magnified Him -by driving away every semblance of _chance_ from the firmament, and by -exhibiting in its place designs and established law. Up there, as down -here, the idea of irregularity or chance is but the suggestion of our -ignorance." - -Thus, from a knowledge gained through that wonderful, and yet most -exact of all sciences--Astronomy--we base our conclusions. _That_ -science is the grandest, most perfect, and comprehensive of all -sciences known to the human mind. It grasps, analyzes, and comprehends -the laws and forces which make up and control the universe, and every -other science known is intimately connected with, or based upon it. -There is no chance-work in Nature; all things are moulded and formed -complete by the great Architect, whose Word created them, and all the -grand panorama of suns, moons, planets, worlds, and stars, are perfect -and in the exact order of His creative wisdom. - -Whatever of incomprehensible mystery our hypothesis of those -far-distant _suns_ and _heavens_ may involve, we feel satisfied of the -correctness of our theory in regard to our own, and our mind is -equally impressed with the probability of all the other planets -belonging to the Sun's domain, being inhabited by living -intelligences, and that, in the order of their Creator's arrangement, -they too find their heaven of eternal existence there. We know there -is room for all and to spare, within that heavenly empire, and would -be if they and our own earth should remain repeopling and passing -thither for cycles of ages to come; for, as we have seen from -astronomical measurement, it is computed to be more than one million -times the size of this earth. - -How enrapturing the thought, that there we may not only meet the -prophets and seers of old; the apostles and martyrs; "those who went -up through great tribulations," "who washed their robes and made them -white in the blood of the Lamb;" our counselling ministers, who have -assisted us in the way; there the loved ones of our hearts, who have -already left us and this world of "sin and sorrow," and are now safely -at "home;" there other loved ones who are yet on this earth and are -striving with us for a home in that "better land;" but also, perhaps, -there we shall meet messengers, and children of God from all the other -worlds belonging to the Sun, or that heaven's domain; and with the -innumerable company of angels, and all the ransomed hosts, dwell -forever with our Saviour in the glory-light of the Spirit of God. O, -who will not seek and strive for a _home in heaven_? - - - - -_A PLACE FOR THE WICKED._ - - -That there are two separate places and conditions--one for the -righteous and the other for the wicked--we cannot doubt. In regard to -no other fact are the revelations of God and declarations of the -Scriptures more clear and explicit. This of itself should startle -every inhabitant of Earth; cause due and solemn reflection; and -incline every one to search for light, and truth, and for the way of -salvation. - -In stating the facts contained in this volume, it has not been our -design to indulge in a tirade against those who seem careless and -indifferent in regard to their own souls' eternal interest. If our -picture makes the final doom of the wicked a fearful one, we have only -presented the declarations of God through his prophets, and of the -Saviour and his apostles. These declarations are startling, when -properly considered, and should awaken every mind to the consideration -of what must be their final destiny, if they continue to neglect the -overtures of mercy. The law of God is fearful in its denunciations -against the wicked, and its sentence will be sternly executed. -Therefore we would "persuade all to be Christians." - -If all the inhabitants of this Earth--all who have lived during the -past, or may live and die on it through long ages to come--were saved -and should go to dwell in that heavenly world, there would still be -room there for more. Yea, even then, untold millions of chambers, -ready and beautifully furnished by the Saviour in that vast and -glittering "City of God," would still be unoccupied. And to the -wicked, who will not turn from their evil ways, is lost forever the -privilege of occupying those mansions; of walking the gold paved -streets; of "drinking the waters from the fountains of life;" of -wandering amidst the "shady groves," and along the banks of the -beautiful rivers; of traversing valleys, and ascending the "hills and -mountains of the Lord," and of plucking and eating the "ambrosial -fruits" that grow on "the trees of life;" of having wealth and honor, -and a safe and permanent home with the angels; the Prophets and -Apostles of old; with Moses, and David, and Elijah; with Abraham, -Isaac, and Jacob, and with all the great and good of every age and -clime--even with all "the redeemed of the Lord" "who have washed their -robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb"--with kindred -friends from Earth; with angels and spirits of just ones made perfect, -yea, "_with all the ransomed hosts_," and above all, with Christ, the -Son of God, who is, and will there be King and ruler forever. - -And for what are all these exchanged? Let us see. The Bible is the -sure Word of God. It tells us that "the wicked shall be driven away in -their wickedness;" that they "shall be cast into outer darkness, where -shall be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth." - -They "shall be turned into hell with all the nations that forget God:" -"They shall be cast into the lake of fire, and the smoke of their -torment shall ascend up forever and ever." "These shall go away into -everlasting punishment," "But the righteous into life eternal." The -blessed Saviour, who died that they _might_ have eternal life, "shall -say unto those on his left hand (the wicked), depart into everlasting -fire;" while to those on his right hand (the righteous), "Come, ye -blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you before the -foundation of the world;" "enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." - -Yes, reader, God has prepared the two places, and it rests with -_you_--as a free moral agent--to make your choice, and act -accordingly. He will never drag you into heaven by force. You are the -rightful inheritor of a precious immortal soul. He has prepared a -place of perpetual happiness, and _invites_ you to come to it. There -you may find a home, with peace, love and joy. There is for you honor -and wealth, and a "crown of glory." There the fountains, and "rivers -of life," and an abundance of spiritual food. There neither -decrepitude nor old age, nor sickness, sorrow, pain, nor death; but -the bloom of eternal youth and beauty may rest on thy brow forever. -Make your choice, and make it _now_, for delays are dangerous, and -death and the judgment may be near unto you. The _spirit-fire_ of -God's love is now kindling in your heart, and I hear you say, "_yes_, -I would like to be there." We implore you, quench not that -_spirit-fire_ of love, or it will change to a consuming SPIRIT-FIRE OF -WRATH, and when your soul is released from the body, that spirit-fire -will become an intense burning flame, and will be your torment forever -and ever. - -The very thought of enduring _forever_--after this short life has -past--should startle the mind of every intelligent being, and cause -the most serious reflections. None can save but God, and this -salvation is through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. All must go to -Him. Our ministers can only advise and instruct, and to do this -properly, they must themselves be holy men of God. Christ Himself -assumed the office of the Priesthood. He made the atonement. He is now -our _only_ High Priest, and all must go to Him. The wealth of the -universe, given to an earthly Pope, Bishop, or Priest, could not save -one single soul, nor purchase it from perdition. And yet salvation is -freely offered to all who will forsake their wicked ways, and come to -God through love, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. - -All are convinced of the immortality of the soul, and of a future -state of existence. The Word of God has set this matter at rest, while -it is fully evidenced by the inherent desire in every heart and mind -that it should be so; even this "longing after immortality." So, also, -does enlightened reason convince all that there will be a separation -of the righteous from the wicked in their future conditions. There is -no true harmony of mind and spirit between them even in this world; -much less could there be when the righteous are made pure and clean by -the "blood of the Lamb." - -There has always been antagonism between the "spirit of light" and the -"spirit of darkness." The first gives "light, life, and liberty." The -second, darkness, death, and bondage. The word and revelations of God -teach this fact, while the experience and heart admonitions of all -confirm it. Even the ungodly condemn wickedness, and yet, strange to -say, continue on in sin. There has, from the beginning, been spiritual -antagonism between the good and the bad, and a consciousness upon the -part of the wicked of their own wrong-doing. This has been the case -ever since wicked Cain slew his brother Abel; God then pronounced His -curse upon the perpetrator of that wicked deed, and His curse has -stood against all wicked doers from that time to the present, and -will through all time to come. Bible history is replete with evidences -of His judgments against them, and plainly tells us that there are two -separate places, one wherein the righteous shall enjoy happiness and -eternal life; the other wherein the wicked shall be punished, and -endure a living death that never dies, showing us plainly that, - -"It is not all of life to live; nor yet of death to die." - - * * * * * - -Now, the _location_ of that place of torment will claim a few moments -of our attention. Of this we think we are _not_ left to conjecture -alone. We believe our hypothesis of the location of heaven is correct, -and that we have one equally certain of the location of _Hell_, and -that each hypothesis strongly corroborates the other. - -First, let us take direct testimony; that given by the Son of God -himself, who is to be the judge of all--even the "quick" and the -"dead." The first are those quickened into life by the spirit, the -last are "those who are dead in trespasses and in sin." - -You will find this evidence in the 16th chapter of the "Gospel -according to Saint Luke." Christ, the Son God, said, - - "There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and - fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was - a certain beggar named Lazarus, who laid at they rich man's - gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs - which fell from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs - came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the - beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's - bosom; The rich man also died, and was buried, and in hell - he lifted up his eyes. Being in torments, and seeing Abraham - afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, he cried and said, - Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus, that - he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my - parched tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But - Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime - receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil - things, but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And - beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulph - fixed; so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot; - neither can they pass to us that would come from thence." - - "Then he said, I pray thee, therefore, father, that thou - wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five - brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come - into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, they have - Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, - nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the - dead, they will repent. Abraham answered and said unto him, - If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they - be persuaded though one rose from the dead." - -Thus, we see plainly that there are two separate places; one for the -righteous, who are saved through obedience and faith, and the other -for the wicked who are lost through disobedience and unbelief. Nothing -could be more plain, pointed, or conclusive. - -Now let us recall to your mind that which we have related in preceding -pages; wherein we have told you that most Astronomers have agreed upon -the fact, or hypothesis, of two atmospheres around the vast globe we -have denominated heaven. The one next to it appears to be -_non-luminous_; while the outer one--around this--is _luminous_, which -they denominate _photosphere_, to which we have added _ethereal_, or -"_spirit-fire_." This is what we see in looking at the Sun, and is the -vast volume of fire, or _ethereal flame_, that sends out heat and -light to this and other surrounding worlds. This light and heat extend -over a region of the illimitable space, not less than _six thousand -millions of miles in extent_. We have endeavored to approximate to the -mind the intense heat of the Sun at its source, but it far exceeds -finite comprehension. - -We have also given you the views and suppositions of able -investigators that the extent of that photosphere, or volume of flame, -is vast indeed. It is said that 'flame-like masses--some computed to -be one hundred and fifty thousand miles in length--are piled upon and -overlap each other, and sweep onward in constant agitation like -mountain billows of living fire.' This, as we have told you, is the -source of all fire, or heat known to us on this Earth, and to all the -other planets of our solar system. - -The precise nature and elements of fire, we have said, we cannot fully -comprehend; neither its original source, save that it emanated from -the Great First Cause. The Sun is its direct source to us, and we -realize it always the same; never augmenting nor diminishing. We know -that it is the source of light to a vast region around, and, from the -offices it performs, we cannot think less than that it is--as we have -before said--an attribute of the Great Jehovah; and especially this -when we consider God's own revelations as found recorded in the Bible. - -In describing the dimensions of the _Sun_, we have said it is -2,655,000 miles round it, or to bring this vast extent nearer our -comprehension, we may state that it would require 321 Earths, the size -of this, set side by side to reach around it, and vast numbers more to -cover its surface, and when thus covered with worlds like this, the -stratum would only be about 8,000 miles deep, while it is reasonable -to estimate that _photospheric flame to be 100,000 miles in depth_. - -We have mentioned the "_inner globe_," estimated to be more than a -million times the size of this Earth, and we have denominated it -_heaven_, and this outside surrounding volume of ethereal fire we -shall denominate _hell_, as we believe no other true hypothesis can -be advanced. And, in assuming this, we believe ourselves sustained by -the revelations of God, as well as by all we can comprehend of Nature. - -In order to incite our minds to know and comprehend more of Him, and -become obedient to His requirements, God has shown us, by -manifestations, His instrument of destruction and punishment. His -prophets have also announced His threatenings against the wicked, and -have told us that _fire_--the element of heat--is the instrument with -which He will fulfil His threatened vengeance, and we have seen this -manifested by the destruction of the "cities of the plains"--even -"Sodom and Gomorrah," as also the destruction of those who offered -incense upon strange altars. - -Now as this volume of flame, denominated the _Sun_, is the _only_ -source of fire; and as fire seems to us one of the controlling -elements of nature, and pervades all things, and God rained down fire -and destroyed those cities, and also sent down fire and destroyed -those who offered incense on a strange altar, we plainly see where the -fire is that is to be the punishment of the wicked. That it is said -"fire came down from heaven," or "out of heaven," does not vitiate, -but rather confirms our hypothesis. For God is omnipresent, and dwells -in _all_ heavens, and, from that region, _that permanent source of -fire_, He commanded--doubtless--the concentration of the rays of the -Sun, and it thus came at His command from heaven, and fell as flame -of fire. But to prove that our hypothesis as to the location of hell -is correct, we direct your mind again to the narrative of the Saviour, -of the rich man in _hell_, and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. That -Abraham was in heaven no one can doubt, while we are plainly told that -the rich man was "_in hell_," and, although "afar off," yet within -speaking distance. - -How far distant the voice of _spirit_ can be heard, no one in -mortality can know. We know that on this earth sound is limited -because of the density of the atmosphere, and we realize even here -that when the atmosphere is the more rarified, the greater the -distance of sound. It is computed that the condensed, or -earth-atmosphere, extends outward from the earth about forty miles. -When we have passed this stratum, and have gained space in the -_ethereal atmosphere_, it may be possible that the same volume of -voice we are accustomed to here, might be heard thousands, or even -millions of miles distant from us. Heat rarifies atmosphere as we here -realize by the influence of the sun. If the addition of a few rays of -the sun will dissipate the dense clouds, and so materially rarify our -atmosphere at the distance of ninety-five millions of miles, what may -we suppose the condition of the atmosphere ninety millions of miles -nearer its source? Therefore, we may readily believe that although -Dives, and Abraham, were far apart--possibly thousands of miles--yet -they could see and converse with each other. - -You will remember that astronomers inform us that there seems a volume -of non-luminous atmosphere, or void, between the outer phostosphere of -fire and the body of that _inner globe_ (which globe we believe is -heaven). Now remember the words of Father Abraham, "Beside all this, -between us and you there is a great gulph fixed; so that they who -would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that -would come from thence." Is not here conclusive evidence that the two -places--heaven and hell--are not in far distant regions from each -other? - -_Remember._ It is said of the wicked "These shall go away into outer -darkness, there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth." -When death and hell shall give up their dead (for the souls of the -wicked--who are dead in trespasses and in sin--are still enduring that -death that never dies), and all appear before the Judgment seat of -Christ, where "every one shall receive according to the deeds done in -the body," and the wicked are "driven from God, and from the glory of -His power," to reach again their eternal destiny, they will doubtless -pass through that dark void, even that "great gulph fixed between," -and there _will_ be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. - - * * * * * - -Although we believe the evidence furnished is conclusive beyond cavil -or doubt to every intelligent mind, yet we will still add more -affirmative arguments which we desire that all should consider. - -First, Let us refer again to the declarations--we have several times -repeated--of the Prophets and Apostles. That heaven, and the Holy City -in it, hath no need of the light of the _Sun_. That the "glory of God -doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." That there is no -night there, but one eternal day. - -Now let us call to your mind the _extent_ of that empire wherein _the -Sun does not shine_. From astronomical measurement, we may form in our -minds an approximation of its dimensions. To fix for it a low -estimate, we may safely conclude that the domain proper, is at least -_five hundred thousand miles_ in diameter, and _one million five -hundred thousand miles around it_. The empire is vast indeed, so great -that, by comparison, we can form no correct idea of it. We can only -approximate by saying that it would require about _one million of -earths_, the size of this, to make a globe of equal magnitude. - -In order to bring all home to your own reason and comprehension, let -us ask, Where else is it feasible for so large a place to _be_ -whereon, or into which the _Sun_, or _suns_, do not or _cannot shine_? -We have shown you that suns (the surrounding volumes of photospheric -ethereal fire) are--so far as we can comprehend--the natural sources -of light throughout the Universe of Jehovah's empire. They seem as -God's own _eternal lamps_, scattered and placed at His will in -different regions of illimitable space, to illumine the universe -without, and give _light everywhere_, as also life and animation to -all their surrounding worlds. Each perhaps to its own, even as our Sun -does to its own planet-worlds. Now when we consider that the fact is -well established by all leading Astronomers that this outside flame or -volume of fire is _far out_ from that INNER GLOBE, or world, and that -between them _there is a void_, possibly thousands of miles in depth; -that the fires and light of the _Sun_ have no perceptible effect upon -this non-luminous void--and, indeed, the void shields the globe within -from the light and heat of the Sun--we can readily imagine the wise -arrangement of the Great Architect, and also comprehend the truth of -His own declarations, that heaven is a place where neither the Sun nor -its heat shall light upon its inhabitants. - -Now the nature of the _element_ of this intervening void or space, -whether _it_ is _ethereal_ or not, we cannot now comprehend. That it -is a safe covering or shield to the world within, we can readily -suppose. For Sir John Herschel says that it seems as "an awning or -screen, protecting the body," or world within, from the Sun's heat. - -But we are not left to conjecture alone, without philosophical reason -in this matter. We know the laws of gravitation and attraction are -fixed and sure, and upon these universal laws we can base correct -conclusions. - -The tendency of fire or heat is _outward_ and _upward_. The sense in -which we use the term "upward" is that of space far out from the -earth, or like solid bodies. We have shown, in our explanation of the -law of gravitation, that _upward_ is simply away from the earth. Thus, -we ignite material with fire and produce combustion here, and we see -the flame _rise_, and feel and know the heat ascends _upward_. So also -may the Chinaman do the same, at the same moment, on the opposite side -of the globe--while his position is directly under us, as we construe -downward--and yet the flame and heat of his fire ascends _upward_ from -the earth where he stands, which is in a directly opposite direction -from the course ours pursues. Thus, to us, outward from the earth is -_upward_, no matter where our position on it. - -This tendency of heat upward, or away from the base of the fire, is -plainly evident by the fact that heat will not penetrate to any -considerable depth _downward_, neither when on the earth, or on a -solid non-combustible foundation; nor yet when on an elevated -platform, for its tendency, as we have shown, is always outward or -upward. So also with the fires of the _Sun_; whatever the base of its -fires may be, we see by the fixed laws of Nature that the tendency of -its heat is _outward_, no matter from what portion of that base it may -emanate. We cannot now comprehend the _nature_ of the base of the -Sun's fires, but we know that the great Jehovah has provided it, and -that it is founded in His wisdom, and is fixed and sure, and we have -reasoned conclusively that it cannot be of combustible material. -Hence, the only rational conclusion we can arrive at--from a thorough -investigation of Divine revelations; from all the lights afforded by -the science of astronomy; from the true philosophy of Nature, as well -as from all that is visible and perceptible--is, that far within the -circling photosphere of ethereal fire which we see and realize as the -_Sun_, there is a solid body, a globe, a VAST WORLD, and that world is -the heaven for all the righteous from this earth; that it is the -Saviour's allotted empire, and that He is there the ruler of His -people. - - - - -_THE NATURE OF THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD._ - -"_The glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light -thereof._" - - -We have given the above Scripture quotation repeatedly in these pages, -in order to forcibly impress the minds of all with the fact that the -light of the heavenly world is _different_ from the light of the Sun; -that it far transcends it in _brightness_. For we are told that it "is -far above the brightness of the Sun shining in its strength," even -"_seven-fold brighter than the Sun_." - -Let us contemplate what has been revealed of this "glory light." - -First. No _mortal_ ever has beheld the full radiance of the face, or -glory of God. For He hath said that no one should see His face and -live. In evidence of this, when Moses, who was so near Him, and -desired so much to behold His face unveiled, prayed to Him saying: "I -_beseech thee_, show me thy glory." There came an answer unto him. -"_Thou canst not see my face, for there shall no man see me and -live._" And in order to preserve the life of Moses, God placed him in -the "cleft of a rock" and covered him with His hand while His glory -was passing by. - -Others have desired to see God, and the brightness of His glory, yet -such desire, while in mortality, is wrong, for none could behold it -and live. - -It is recorded of Trajan, the Emperor of Rome, that he accosted Rabbi -Joshua, saying: "You teach that your God is everywhere, now I should -like to see Him." Joshua replied, "He cannot be seen, no mortal eye -can behold His glory." The Emperor, however, persisted, contending -that if He was everywhere, He could surely be seen, and thus derided -the doctrine taught by Joshua. "Well," said the Rabbi, "let us try -first to look at one of His ambassadors." To this Trajan consented. -Joshua then led him forth into the open air at noon-day, and bade him -"look at the _Sun_." The Emperor replied: "I cannot, for its light -dazzles, and will _blind me_." Then replied Joshua, "If thou art -unable to endure the light of one of His creatures, how canst thou -expect to be able to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? _The -sight would annihilate thee._" - -Thus we find that in every representation of the "glory of God," its -light is beyond our comprehension, and so overpowering that no mortal -could behold it and live. - -We have, however, a feeble representation of this glory manifested by -His Son. When Saul, of Tarsus, was on his way to Damascus, to -persecute the disciples and followers of Christ, behold, at mid-day, a -light, _above the brightness of the Sun_, shone around him and his -band, and they all fell to the earth, and their leader was smitten -with blindness, which continued for three days, and was only then -relieved by the agencies which the Saviour appointed. When first -smitten, hearing a voice that was not of Earth, he exclaimed, "Lord, -who art thou?" The answer was, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." - -When the beloved disciple John beheld the Son of Man, walking in the -midst of the golden candlesticks, the light and influence was so -overpowering, that he "_fell at His feet as dead_." Thus we have a -faint prelude of the light of the glory of God. Yet no one in -mortality can behold it, even in a veiled form. But the strength of -the _spirit-eye_ will enable us to behold the King in all His glory, -"for we shall see Him as He is." - - - - -_THAT HEAVENLY WORLD._ - - -We need not stand on Pisgah's height, nor climb to the summit of the -Andes, to catch a glimpse of that "HEAVENLY WORLD." But, grasping the -telescope of _Faith_, and looking through _Revelations_, the humblest -Christian, "low down in the valley," may see through the storm-clouds -and tempests of life--yea, even through the "shadow of death"--and -gaze with rapture upon the enchanting scene. The light of the _Sun_ -pales without, as the flood-light of that _inner world_ breaks upon -the eye. There is the resplendent "glory of God," shining with -unequalled radiance and beauty. To the spirit-eye it is not blinding, -neither will it even dim the sight. Fear not, ye feeble followers of -the blessed Redeemer, to approach--even now--by faith and -contemplation, the confines of that bright world; even though it is -within that encircling photosphere of _ethereal fire_. There is no -danger, for by-and-by that bright world will be your place of -habitation. When the winged messenger comes and escorts you away from -your earthly "prison-house," he will conduct you to that bright -world, where "an abundant entrance shall be administered unto you" by -your blessed Saviour. Remember it is written in the "Sacred Volume": -"_The voice of God divideth the flame;_" and He hath said: "_I will be -as a wall of fire._" "_When thou goest through the fire, thou shalt -not be burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee._" "_Enter -thou into the joys of thy Lord._" No such flames within. "_The Sun -shall not light on thee; nor any heat;_" and yet there is a -resplendent light, even the "glory of God," which illumines the Great -City and all the vast realm. "_There is no night there_," but one -eternal day; and when thou hast entered, "_The days of thy mourning -shall be ended._" - -But hold heavenward the telescope of _faith_; let us, through the -lights of revelation, endeavor to get a slight panoramic view. The -inspired poet caught a glimpse before us. Hear him exclaim: - - "There, on those wide extended plains, - Shines one eternal day; - There God the Son forever reigns, - And scatters night away." - -Behold! Spread out before us is the wide expanse of a glorious -universe. See in the distance those hills and towering mountains; -those beautiful valleys and wide-extending plains. See the innumerable -"set thrones," and, in the midst of all, "THE GREAT WHITE THRONE!" -and He who sits thereon is the SON OF GOD, who reigns, and is the -ruler of this vast empire. See "before the throne a sea of glass like -unto crystal," and around about the throne "four-and-twenty elders in -raiment of white, with crowns of gold," while all around is "a -rainbow, in sight like unto an emerald," or grand _empyrean_ covering -resplendent with the light of the "glory of God." See that fountain of -the "river of life" gushing from beneath the throne, and flowing on -and on, meandering amidst mountains and hills, and through vast plains -and beautiful valleys. See the crystal fountains playing on every -hand, and whose waters are forever sparkling in the light of eternal -day. See the towering forest trees and shady "groves of heaven," -placed there by the "Word" of the Creator, during past cycles of -eternity, and long before time commenced, their rich foliage -presenting every variegated hue, their boughs laden with all manner of -precious fruit suited for spiritual food, and their seasons for -bearing are now and forever. But see yonder, near the base of that -towering mountain,--whose summit seems to mount up a thousand miles -high, and whose towering forests are waving in the gentle breezes of -heaven, and, with all things else, seem but to reflect the light of -the "glory of God;"--that vast plain spreading out from its base is -the "GARDEN OF THE LORD." Its extent is even greater than that of our -whole Earth. It is filled with trees bearing fruits; with shrubbery, -and ten thousand times ten thousand various and variegated flowers -perennially blooming. See the vast multitude of saints, attended by -angels, as they meander through its labyrinths, culling choicest -flowers, or lingering under "native bowers" or amid shady groves. No -old age or decrepitude; no gray hairs to distinguish ages. The old -seers and prophets; neither are Adam nor Methuselah, who dwelt on the -earth nearly a thousand years, known here by age; neither do our own -aged fathers and mothers show here any signs of decrepitude or -advanced years, but, even as their own children--our brothers, our -sisters, our husbands, our wives, and _our own children_, who have -found an inheritance here--all are as in the bloom of youth and -maturity, and will thus remain forever through succeeding cycles of -eternity. Ah! methinks, amid that vast multitude you espy a father, a -mother, a sister, a brother, companion or child, or some dear, loved -friends from earth, who are now _radiant with beauty_ in that -"Paradise of God," and that you would fain drop mortality, and, on -_spirit-wings_ of love, go and join them and be forever at rest. Wait, -_not now_; but if you have sought and found the "pearl of price," and -are abiding in the "_love of God_," you, too, will get there -by-and-by. Remember afflicted Job, who "knew his record was in -heaven," yet with all this perceptive knowledge, hear him meekly say: -"_All my appointed time will I wait, until my change cometh_," and -"_though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him_." - -But while we have in hand the "telescope of faith" and the revelations -of God as our light, let us change its direction a little, and add a -new grasping power. - -See! Behold the "City of God" of which "glorious things were -spoken,"--even the city of which John had a panoramic view while "in -the spirit" on the Isle of Patmos. See its glittering "_jasper_ walls" -as they loom up in the glory-light _fifteen hundred miles high_; and -whose foundations are _fifteen hundred miles square_, covering a -superficial extent of _two millions two hundred and fifty thousand -square miles_. See! "Its foundations are garnished with all manner of -precious stones," and there are "twelve vast gates of entrance, and -the twelve gates are twelve pearls: every several gate is one pearl." -Those gates are now thrown wide open, never to be shut again, for it -is the "city of habitation" for the redeemed from Earth, and hundreds -are arriving from our world every minute of time. See! "its walls are -of pure gold--even as jasper," while "its streets are paved with gold -transparent as glass." See its vast arches, minarets and towers, and -its palatial mansions. Remember the blessed Saviour said, when about -to leave our Earth, "_In my Father's house are many mansions_;" and -added, "_I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there ye -may be also_." Some of our friends have homes in those beautiful -mansions. * * * * * It is enough. Our vision of these enchanting -scenes is ended, and we are left to contemplate them in mind until our -"appointed time" shall come, and then if we are ready when our "Lord -and master calls," we, too, shall find a permanent home with the -"redeemed of the Lord" in that "_heavenly world_," and then with St. -Paul, we may see "the glory which shall be revealed." - - - - -_THE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY OF THE CITY--THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL, AND -TO SPARE._ - -"_And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the -breadth; and he measured the city with a reed, twelve thousand -furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal._" -Rev. xxi. - - -Twelve thousand furlongs constitutes, by our measurement, 1,500 miles. -Thus we see that the city lieth four-square, and its height is equal -to its length or breadth of foundation. The base surface covers a -superficial extent of 2,250,000 square miles. The extent of the city -will give us over 3,375,000,000 cubic miles. One cubic mile alone will -afford measurement of space for over 15,000,000 rooms 20 feet square, and -the entire square of the city would afford about 50,625,000,000,000,000 -rooms of similar dimensions. - -But we are not justifiable in the belief other than that it is a city -of vast proportions, and one of grandeur and beauty. We are told that -it is a "city of many mansions." Let us therefore contemplate it in -this light, and estimate that only _one-fiftieth_ portion of its vast -space is occupied by mansions; the balance open space, streets, -avenues, and courts. Such mansions would thus afford over -1,000,000,000,000,000 rooms 20 feet square. - -We will now compute the number of inhabitants who have lived and died -on the earth for 6,000 years past; the number living on it at present, -and estimate how long of future time would be required to furnish one -soul to occupy each room. It is estimated that there are at present -1,000,000,000, and that this number die during each period of thirty -years. Now if all should find a home there, it would require more than -_thirty millions of years_, at the same ratio, to furnish one soul for -each room thus computed in those mansions. And if we estimate that -only _one-hundredth_ part of the space is occupied by mansions, it -would even then require 15,000,000 of years to thus people them. - -But we are assured that the wicked shall not enter there. That "wide -is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and -many there be which go in thereat." We are therefore led to the -inevitable conclusion, that by far the larger number of those who have -lived and died on this earth, have failed to find their home in that -"city of which glorious things are spoken." - -Contemplating, as we have, the vast magnitude of that city, we are -justifiable in the conclusion that there is ample provision of -mansions there, as the dwelling-place for other intelligences beside -those from this earth; probably the home and abode of the angels; -possibly, for inhabitants of the other planets belonging to the same -solar system with our own earth, as all receive light and animation -from the same sun, and all are governed and controlled by the -load-stone power of attraction of that vast globe. - -Again, may it not be that all that has been revealed to us, is simply -that which relates to _our_ future habitation, and that the city we -have been contemplating is for the abode of the righteous from this -earth? May there not be many other cities of equal, or even greater -magnitude within that vast empire--even one such allotted to the -inhabitants of _each separate planet_, and that each may have a king -and ruler provided by the Creator of all? For all that we can -comprehend of _our_ Saviour--who is to be our king and ruler--is, that -he came from God the Father to ransom the inhabitants of this earth, -and offer life and salvation to all who should believe in Him "with a -heart unto righteousness." Remember, he said, "_In my Father's house -are many mansions._" And added, "_I go to prepare a place for_ YOU, -_that where I am there ye may be also._" - -The New Testament Scriptures teach the sublime truth that the great -interest of our blessed Saviour is the salvation and happiness of -those whom He denominates his children from this earth; those for -whom He died, and who shall believe in Him "unto everlasting life." -Hence, from all his teachings we believe this suggested hypothesis -correct. The Psalmist says, "_There are set thrones of Judgment_," -while the Apostles speak of "_thrones and dominions; principalities -and powers_." There is ample room in that "Heaven" for all. - - - - -_THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THAT HEAVENLY WORLD._ - -"The Angels of God."--Heb. 1. 6. - - -So far as revealed to us by record of the Bible, the original or -native inhabitants of Heaven are called "Angels." These are also -called "messengers of God," and from all the lights we have, it would -seem that their principal occupation and employment is to act as -messengers; execute the commands of Jehovah, and to worship, and -magnify the name of their Creator. Their perpetual residence, it -seems, is in Heaven, yet from the manifestations of repeated visits to -our earth, we can but suppose they are God's messengers, oft sent to -_other_ worlds to do His pleasure. - -It would seem that they are possessed of intellectuality next to -Jehovah himself, yet all knowledge is not given unto them. It also -appears that there is a vast difference in their grades and positions. -We read of Archangels, of Michael, and Gabriel, of the Sons of God. -They are sometimes called "Stars." Thus, we read of "the morning stars -which sang together." We also read of Cherubim and Seraphim. And it -may be that some of the most exalted among them occupy thrones, and -have control of "dominions," "principalities," and "powers." We are -told that "Michael and _his_ angels" fought the "Great Dragon and his -angels." Thus we see that they were the leaders, or had command over -many angels. - -We are also justified in the belief that they are princes and peers, -and belong to the Court; possibly form the ministerial cabinet, and -are attendants in the council chambers of heaven. - -We have seen, through revelations, how oft--under the earlier -dispensation--they visited our earth, to bear messages from God to the -prophets, and to His people; to warn or announce His threatenings, or -execute His commands in judgments upon the wicked. As angels they are -"_Spirits_," and as commissioned "ministers" oft appeared as "_flames -of fire_." - -From the revelations made to us, we know they are spiritual creatures -of God, and that their nature is _immaterial_, or that they have -existence in highly _etherealized_ bodies, which can be transported at -pleasure to any remote or distant region of Jehovah's empire, with a -celerity surpassing--possibly--the flight of electricity itself. - -Angels, as "_spirits_," are immortal, and hence will live forever. And -thus also our own spirits must live forever, because derived from the -_spirit-life_ of God. Revelations furnish us abundant evidence of the -_spirit_ nature of angels. They were oft present and speaking with the -prophets, and were yet _invisible_, as also within doors where locks -and bars precluded the possibility of substance, or of earth-life -animation entering. And yet again, we have evidence of their appearing -in tangible form, and could be seen, and felt, and we read of their -being "entertained as men unawares." When, however, they appeared as -_angels_, we learn that their bodily aspect was that of transcendent -beauty; their face and form resplendent with light, and a halo, as of -Divinity itself, shone around them. - -It seems that angels have ever manifested a deep and abiding interest -in behalf of our Earth, and of man. We are told that they celebrated -the creation of this world "with songs of praise and shouts of joy." -At the time of the birth of the Saviour, an angel from God appeared to -the shepherds, who were watching their flocks by night, and announced -the "glad tidings of great joy, and immediately there appeared with -the angel, a multitude of the heavenly hosts" sounding loud the anthem -of praise, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on Earth and good-will -to men." How strange this incident! The tongues of men were silent in -this the hour of dawn of their redemption, and the angels alone -heralded the event, and sang the anthem of praise. An angel -subsequently warned Joseph to seek a place of safety for the "Infant -of days," as "Herod, the King, would seek to destroy the young child's -life." - -During the Saviour's sojourn on Earth, how oft did angels appear and -minister unto Him; even "strengthening Him," when His human nature -staggered under the load of the sins of a guilty world. And -when--seemingly--the "star of Bethlehem" had set, and the hope of the -world seemed lost; when the promised Messiah was entombed; when dismay -seized upon, and thick darkness shrouded the minds of all who had -followed the Saviour; when even the Marys who loved Him, repaired at -early dawn to shed their tears at His sepulchre: Behold! "_The angel -of the Lord was there_;" had "rolled away the stone and sat upon it." -He did not need to inquire their errand, but said unto them: "I know -it is Jesus whom ye seek, he is not here, for He is risen." Oh, see -what interest the angels have ever manifested in our behalf! "_Are -they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister unto those -who shall be the heirs of salvation?_" - - - - -THE VAST NUMBER OF THE ANGELS. - -"_An innumerable company of angels._" Heb. xii. 22. - - -Of the number of the angels we can form no proper conception. That -their numbers are very great, we have evidence through Divine -revelations. We are told that when the Law was given from Mount Sinai, -there was in attendance upon the great Author of all "thousands of -angels." Daniel, speaking of their attendance upon the "Ancient of -Days" says, "thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand -times ten thousand stood before him." When the star appeared in the -"east," and led the wise men to Bethlehem where lay the promised hope -of a perishing world, there appeared a multitude of the heavenly -hosts, singing with sweet melody the anthem of redemption, and praises -to God in the highest. When Peter unsheathed his sword to smite the -servant of the High Priest who came to arrest his Master, the Saviour -restrained him and said: "_Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my -Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of -angels._" While St. Paul speaks of an "innumerable company of angels -in the heavenly Jerusalem." - - - - -AMAZING STRENGTH OF ANGELS. - -"_Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his -commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word._"--Ps. ciii. 20. - - -Of the amazing strength of angels, we can form no adequate conception. -"God is a Spirit," and by His Spirit hath created all things. We have -seen that His angels are spirits, and that these spirits are -_ethereal_ in their nature, so far as finite mind can comprehend. And -yet their strength is wonderful to contemplate. St. John represents -them as holding the four winds of heaven, and controlling the elements -with a supernatural power. Commissioned by Jehovah for the purpose, an -angel destroyed seventy thousand people of the tribes of Judah and -Israel in three days. And again, an angel destroyed, in one night, one -hundred and eighty-five thousand of a mighty army. It would seem that -by permission, or at command, they are capable of exercising a power -almost omnipotent. In the last days, great power shall be given them. -They shall pour out the vials of Jehovah's wrath, smite earth and -seas, cause the stars to fall, and even _chain the great dragon and -cast him into the bottomless pit_. - - - - -RAPIDITY OF MOVEMENT OF THE ANGELS. - - -We will now consider another feature of the capacity of the angels, -one that is fraught with deepest interest to the human mind, as it -will give us some light of probabilities attending our future, when -our spirits shall be released from our mortal bodies. This is the -celerity, velocity, or rapidity of their movements. - -These celestial creatures seem to possess the power of transporting -themselves with a celerity incomprehensible to finite mind. That it is -equal, even if not more rapid than _electricity_, we cannot doubt. We -incline to the opinion, however, that the velocity of their movement -is, at pleasure, the same as that of the flight of _electricity_; and -so also with our spirits, after leaving the body. No one can fully -comprehend the _nature_ of electricity. We know that it exists, and to -some extent we can control and use it as an agency for useful -purposes; yet it is an existing element in nature, even as fire is. We -may concentrate and use it, and we may profess to understand the -combination of agencies which produce it. Yet all resolves itself back -again into the simple fact that it is an _element existing in nature_, -and its source is that of all else--the GREAT FIRST CAUSE OF ALL -THINGS. - -Electricity is of more rapid flight than any other element or agency -we can--even partially--comprehend in nature. If we had a wire laid -around this Earth, it is estimated that a current of _electricity_ -would belt the globe in about the _tenth part_ of a second of time, or -travel at nearly the speed of _three hundred thousand miles_ a second, -and would reach the Sun--_ninety-five millions of miles distant_--in a -fraction over _five minutes of time_. The discovery and application of -electricity is the most wonderful phenomenon that has ever been -grasped by the human intellect, and we contend it is one of Jehovah's -_invisible_ agencies in nature, which He has permitted man to -comprehend in part, and thus to prepare the mind to comprehend more -fully the infinity of His power, and the nature of our relation to -Him. Hitherto, even the mind of faith has stood bewildered in regard -to the transit of the soul, after death, to the place of its future -habitation. Astronomers, by the aid of that wonderful gift of God to -man--the telescope--have penetrated the borders of the far-distant -sidereal regions; have caught rays of light which, it is now rendered -probable, left their native nebulæ, or suns, more than _five hundred -thousand years_ ago, and have travelled at the rate of 192,000 miles a -second ever since, and are now successively beaming upon the assisted -eye. Now, it would require more than _three hundred thousand years_ -for a current of electricity to travel thence, even at the rate of -300,000 miles each second of time. And yet, although far distant -regions have been penetrated and partially surveyed, still, nowhere -within the trackless and boundless domain of illimitable space have -Astronomers descried an object which they could denominate "Heaven." -We say, considering all these circumstances, and that it would require -three hundred thousand years, travelling with the rapidity of three -hundred thousand miles a second, to reach the extent of space surveyed -by the eye through the telescope, and yet the supposition that heaven -was still _far out beyond_; the mind of faith has ever been bewildered -as to the locality of the place, and of the time, or period of -eternity required to reach it. And yet it was right and proper that -Christians should hold firm to faith in God; that He _had_ provided a -place of happiness for his people, and also provided the necessary -agencies for transporting them thither. But now, when we consider that -every blessing vouchsafed to man is derived from heaven, or the -Sun--which is God's agency--when we have contemplated the nature of -God's manifestations in the bestowment of his blessings, and -visitations of his judgments; when we see how soon, at His bidding, -His messengers can descend from heaven to earth to execute His -commands, and the daily intimate relations in ancient times between -His angels residing in heaven, and His prophets and people on earth; -how instantaneously they were present when emergency demanded--for -when "Daniel bowed, and his prayer went up to heaven, the angel -Gabriel came with the answer from God while he was still on his knees, -and yet speaking,"--and accepting the hypothesis we have laid, that -our heaven is the vast globe descried by Astronomers within that -encircling photosphere of ethereal fire, which is denominated the -"Sun," our veiled faith of the past takes a sudden bound and lights -upon--an almost _fully revealed reality_; we can now partially -comprehend the mode, and short space of time required for the transit -of our immortal spirits to that heavenly world. It is reasonable to -suppose that spirit can pass with the velocity of electricity, and -travelling thus, we have seen that to reach that world within the Sun, -will require but about _five minutes_. Well hath the apostle said, "to -be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord." - -There are fixed laws, and a certain _reality_, in all things -pertaining unto Jehovah and His vast creations throughout His own -Universe, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that he has designed -that we should comprehend His laws relating to us, and thereby -understand His own plain revelations. We therefore believe that -reason, founded upon revelations, sustains our hypothesis, as to the -location of heaven--as also of hell--and that the Spirit of God is--in -some of its offices--as _fire_. And we cannot doubt but that, -henceforth, these views will be sustained by the intelligence of the -world; and that still more of seeming mystery will be comprehended, -and new light opened to the mind upon the subject, while all will tend -to the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family. - - - - -_CERTAINTY OF A RESURRECTION._ - - -St. Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, says: "_If in this life only we -have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable._" - -No wonder that he came to such conclusion, when he knew that kings, -rulers, and the populace were overwhelmingly against the few disciples -and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that persecutions, bonds, -imprisonment, and even violent death were in store for many of them. - -But hear him again: - - "Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection - from the dead. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is - death. - - "Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit - the kingdom of God. Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall - not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in - the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet - shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and - we shall be changed. For this corruption must put on - incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Death - shall be swallowed up in victory. Thanks be to God, which - giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - -That there will be a resurrection of our spiritual bodies, is plainly -taught in the Old and in the New Testament scriptures. We have already -shown this conclusively in our opening chapter on "The Immortality of -the Soul, and a future State of Existence." But had doubts remained in -the minds of any, we think St. Paul--as quoted above--removes them, -and sets the matter at rest. - -St. John, the revelator, tells us that while in the spirit, the scene -of the judgment was brought before his vision. He says: - - "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and - the books were opened, and the dead were judged out of those - things which were written in the books, according to their - works." - -Now we understand that this general judgment will be at the close of -the time allotted to this world. Whether that period is far remote or -near at hand, no one knoweth save God himself; "no, not even the -angels of heaven." But as to that time, it matters not, so far as -salvation and a condition of happiness to the righteous is concerned, -nor to the wicked, as regards future punishment. Revelations and the -Word of God establish the fact that as soon as the soul, or spirit -leaves the body, it enters upon its future and final condition, -whether of happiness or misery, "Lazarus died, and was carried by the -angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, and -in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment." The Saviour, while -suspended upon the cross, manifested His pardoning and saving power to -the thief, forgave his sins, accepted him, and said: "To-day shalt -thou be with me in Paradise." - -Under the circumstances--the extreme sufferings and agonies the -Saviour was enduring at the time--some have cavilled at this -exhibition of grace and pardoning mercy to the dying thief. Let it be -remembered, His mission was to save sinners. And that it is written, -"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." - -Here is a plain exhibition of the possibility, and plan of salvation -to _all_. This thief had sinned; and had also violated the laws of his -country, and in rebuking his fellow culprit in crime--who had reviled -the Saviour--he acknowledged his own guilt by saying, "this man -suffereth innocently; yet we are guilty, and justly deserve our -punishment." Indeed, he seemed to be the _first_ to comprehend -Christ's kingdom, and the plan of salvation through faith in Him. By -faith, he grasped the hope, then springing from the Cross whereon the -Saviour hung, and penitently cried unto the Redeemer of the world, -"Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." See this flash -of light in the midst of spiritual darkness, dismay, and surrounding -gloom--even the light of immortality and eternal life! All the -followers had forsaken the dying Redeemer, and those who had been his -acknowledged disciples were fleeing in dismay, and even Peter denied -his Lord and Master with an oath. The hope of the world's deliverance; -through the Messiah, seemed lost. Yet here was one--even a poor dying -thief--whose faith penetrated the veil, and _he_ saw that Christ's -kingdom was not of this world. He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, -and the promise made to all who believe in Him; with a heart unto -righteousness, was vouchsafed to him. We look upon this as the -strongest exhibition of faith the world had ever yet known. And we -think the evidence conclusive, that as soon as the soul leaves the -body--this tenement of clay--it enters at once upon its future -condition of happiness, or of misery. - -Of the certainty of the final resurrection of our bodies--changed and -transformed into spiritual bodies--and of a general judgment, the -Scripture revelations are plain and conclusive. May we not therefore, -for a few moments, contemplate the eventful, and, to some, the -pleasant, yet to others the startling scene? - -That the bodies of some who lived on this earth have already undergone -this great, and to us mysterious change of "corruption putting on -incorruption," and "mortal putting on immortality," we cannot doubt. -This seems manifest in the case of Elijah, and so also, as seems -evident, with Moses. And it will be remembered that these two appeared -in their heavenly vestments; bright and shining, and stood with the -Saviour when he was transfigured on the Mount. So also at the time of -the crucifixion of the Son of God. When, at the last moment of his -expiring agony he cried to his Father, with a loud voice, and gave up -the ghost; the earth did quake, and the rocks were rent, and the -graves were opened, "and many bodies of the Saints that slept arose." -And to make this--seeming mystery--more clear to those He had -commissioned to preach His everlasting gospel--the power of which -should be the resurrection from the dead--the Saviour himself, after -His body had risen from the grave, appeared unto them--His -disciples--and thus gave them a _visible manifestation_ of this -wondrous truth, and re-commissioned them to go forth into all the -world and proclaim _his own resurrection_, and that by repentance and -faith all might come to a _resurrection of life_. - - - - -_THE RESURRECTION._ - - -Therefore, behold, the time cometh when "all that are in their graves, -shall hear His voice"--even the voice of God--and the angel shall -sound the trumpet, and its tones of melody and the voice of love will -move earth and seas, from centre to circumference, and awake into -immortal life the decayed bodies and mouldering dust of His sleeping -children. "For the dead in Christ shall rise first," and "blessed are -they who have part in the first resurrection, for on such the second -death hath no power." "They shall have a right to the tree of life." -See the myriads of sepulchres and graves opening, and saints rising in -the light of the "glory of God," and millions of the sheeted dead--who -have slept beneath the bosom of "deep blue seas;" in the depths of -oceans, or were swept away by floods and flowing rivers--rising and -riding in triumph upon the swelling, bright-crested waves which -sparkle in the resplendent glory-light of heaven. - - "See these all arrayed in white, - Brighter than the noon-day sun." - -These come forth at their Creator's call, and now at His bidding, the -happy reunion of the long separated partners--souls and bodies--takes -place, and the vast realm resounds with shouts of triumph and songs of -praise. While the "_Morning Stars_" who sang the _pean_ of Creation, -and the angelic host--who celebrated in the hill-country of Judea, the -advent of the Saviour on earth to ransom fallen man--join in melody -and again swell the loud anthem, "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!" Then -shall be repeated the saying which was written, "O death, where is thy -sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God who giveth us -the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." And, ascending again with -their resurrected glorified bodies, the voice of the archangel -Gabriel--who sounded their resurrection trumpet--will be heard from -the portal of heaven, throughout the vast domain. BEHOLD THEY COME! - -We would fain close this chapter with these delightful reflections, -and leave the minds of all free from fearful apprehensions, and happy -in the contemplation of a future resurrection to the enjoyment of a -blissful immortality and eternal life. But the Laws of God are stern -and inflexible in their requirements; His judgments sure; His -revelations plain, and all are in duty bound to contemplate them. - -We have told you that at His _call_ "the righteous shall come forth -to a resurrection of life." And now we have to record the fact -that--at His _command_--"the wicked shall come forth to a resurrection -of damnation." To contemplate or depict the scene startles the mind, -and baffles and beggars the human intellect. - -We fancy a death-like silence prevails throughout the earth and seas, -and the vast domain of Heaven. Songs of triumph, and shouts of joy, of -both saints and angels, have ceased for one hour of eternity. The -Judge ascends His throne, from which to issue His command. The four -and twenty Elders remove their glittering crowns of gold, and bow -before Him. Moses and Elijah, and all the prophets, apostles, and -martyrs are there. There the redeemed of the Lord--whom no man can -number--are assembled with legions of angels. All bow before the Lord, -and "there is silence in Heaven." Hark! the command was given! The -voice of the final judgment-trumpet; in thunder tones, waxes louder -and louder! and seems to shake heaven itself, with its surrounding -universe of worlds. It is the trumpet-voice of the "WRATH OF GOD" -summoning the wicked of a sin-cursed world, to arise and come to -judgment. - -See! the Earth is convulsed from the centre to its circumference, and -is "rocking to and fro, as a drunken man." Graves are opening on every -hand, and from all the Earth, from deep dark seas and oceans' depths, -behold the pale, _ghastly_ multitudes coming forth, filled with terror -and dismay. Mountains are sinking, and valleys rising, like surgings -of contending billows; and their rocky foundations, though ten -thousand feet deep, are breaking into fragments! A tempest of God's -fiery indignation is smiting the Earth! Hear the muttering thunders of -the judgment storm! see the dread lightnings flashing amidst the -surrounding gloom! The internal magazine-fires of the Earth are -belching forth their molten lava, which is lifting the deep -foundations of seas and oceans into mountain-peaks, and rolling _fiery -billows_. See! behold! the Universal conflagration of the world! seas, -oceans, and all the Earth, one vast sheet of _flame_. While the angel -(which John saw) "_standing in the Sun_" calls in thunder tones, ARISE -YE DEAD AND COME TO JUDGMENT! And then swears by Him, that liveth -forever and ever, "TIME SHALL BE NO LONGER." - -The unnumbered millions of resurrected bodies of the wicked would fain -refuse a reunion with their long lost souls, and fall back and be -consumed or annihilated by the raging elements. But now, for the -wicked there is no place of safety. They refused the refuge once -freely offered them in the "cleft side of the Redeemer," and trifled -away their days of grace, and now the stern reality of the threatened -judgment is upon them. Their souls, perhaps, have already suffered -for thousands of years in fiery torments, and now death and hell give -up their dead to a reunion, that all may receive their final sentence -from the "Judge of quick and dead" to depart and "dwell in everlasting -burnings." - -In their direful extremity they would fain "flee from the presence of -God." Hear them calling upon the fiery whirlwind-tempest of rocks, and -moving mountains "to fall on them, and hide them from the face of Him -that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb," and -crying aloud, "BEHOLD! THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH HAS COME; WHO SHALL -BE ABLE TO STAND?" Yet these fragments of a convulsed and dismembered -universe are restrained from performing such office of mercy, and by -the Word--which created them--are hurled back into the raging chaotic -storm, to "melt with fervent heat" and mingle with the elements in the -convulsive throes of a _wrecked world_, which is being consumed by the -"SPIRIT-FIRES" OF JEHOVAH'S WRATH. - - "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death - and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and I saw - the dead small and great stand before God, and they were - judged according to their works. And death and hell were - cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And - whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was - cast into the lake of fire; and the same shall drink of the - wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without - mixture into the cup of His indignation. And I saw an angel - standing in the Sun. And the fourth angel poured out his - vial upon the Sun, and power was given unto him to scorch - men with fire; and men were scorched with great heat. And - they shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the - presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the - Lamb, and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever - and ever." - - - - -_A SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION._ - - -The contemplation of the final judgment, and the sentence to be passed -upon the wicked, is truly a solemn one, and should startle every mind, -But oh, how few, comparatively, seem to stop and reflect upon this -momentous subject? And yet _all_ are rapidly hastening on to their -final doom. Few are aware of the vast numbers that are passing from -time into eternity--even each year, each month, each day each hour, or -each minute. - -We will here state the numbers, as well ascertained, or approximated, -by the ablest staticians of the world. They tell us there is one death -for every second of time, 60 every minute; 3,600 every hour; 84,400 -every day; 2,595,000 every month; 31,140,000 every year, and a number -equal to the entire population of the globe, _viz._: _one thousand -millions_ every thirty years. And we are forced to the conclusion, -that by far the larger portion of adults pass away without any -conscious knowledge of the plan of salvation, or a tenable hope of -heaven. - -Reader, stop and reflect. No matter what your age, your condition of -health, or in life, you, too, must soon know the realities of your -future; your eternal state of existence. - -We have heard the remark from the ungodly, that if they failed to -reach heaven, they would, at least, "be with a large crowd." Yes, we -have no doubt of it. For we read of "legions of devils," and there -will also be legions from _earth_ to be tormented by them. Now we -appeal to the reason of every intelligent mind, can you expect to -enjoy happiness in your eternal existence, amid devouring flames? - -We learn that devils are fallen angels. Once they enjoyed happiness in -that heavenly world, and were, doubtless, God's messengers; oft sent -to different regions of His empire to do His pleasure. Yet viewing the -grandeur and glory of God, it appears that the great Dragon--who had -the control of many angels--enlisted them to sustain him in some -unlawful usurpation. This was resisted by Michael and his angels, "and -there was war in heaven." Michael and his angels prevailed, and the -great Dragon, "that old serpent called the devil, and satan, was cast -out, and his angels were cast out with him;" "neither was their place -found any more in heaven." These, we learn, are the wicked spirits, -which go to and fro, up and down, through the earth, tempting man to -sin, and to do wickedly. Satan is the prince of the powers of -darkness, and he and his minions are ever arrayed against the prince -of life and salvation. And man as a free moral agent--having life and -death set before him--is left the free choice as to whom he will -serve. If your choice be the God who created all things by the word of -His power, and whose glory is the light of eternal day, serve Him. But -if Baal, the prince of darkness, whose reign is terror and death, then -serve him. "Ye cannot serve two masters at once." - -Remember! When death shall come and claim you for its victim, with the -cessation of mortal life, there is cessation of all the sensations and -faculties of your _human nature_. You will not be moved upon to the -enjoyment of pleasure by human passions or desires. These, as realized -here, will forever cease, and the spirit can no more be controlled by -flesh and blood, nor by human desires. Yet that immortal -principle--the soul--will be susceptible of ineffable happiness, or of -intense misery. Will it be any comfort or pleasure to you to know that -others are, like yourself, doomed to suffer eternal torments? to -witness their agonies, and hear their wailings in that pandemonium of -the lost? Think for a moment, of the rich man--Dives--who realized -those torments. No hope for him in the future; his day of probation -had passed; his eternal state was fixed; yet he prayed Father Abraham -to send Lazarus back to this world, to warn his five brethren, lest -they also should come to that place of torment. Remember, that as -death leaves the body, so judgment finds the soul, for the prophet has -warned you that, - - "There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in - the grave whither thou goest." - - - - -_THE FINAL JUDGMENT._ - - -"_The Lord shall endure forever, he hath prepared his throne for -judgment." "We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ." -"Then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God."_ - -_"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books -were opened, * * * and the dead were judged out of those things which -were written in the books, according to their works."_ - -_"Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand: Come, ye -blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the -foundation of the world;" * * * "an entrance shall be administered -unto you abundantly;" * * * "enter ye in through the gates into the -city;" * * * "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."_ - -_"Then shall he say also unto them on his left hand: Depart from me, -ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his -angels." "These shall go into everlasting punishment, but the -righteous into life eternal."_ - - - - -_A HOME IN HEAVEN._ - - -Our pilgrimage on earth is one of unrest, is one of toil, sorrow, and -affliction. Here we have no abiding place, "no continuing city." Our -"days on earth are few, and are full of trouble." There is no -permanency here. From the time of the first infant breath and short -unconscious slumber on a mother's bosom to the latest hour and moment -of life, we are ever restless and moving onward, and endure all the -disquietude and sufferings of mind and body incident to our mortal -existence. The original sin of our first parents, blighted all hope of -permanence or enduring happiness on this earth. At the time of their -fall, God pronounced as to our existence here, saying: "Cursed is the -ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of -thy life; thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. In the -sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the ground; -for out of it wast thou taken: dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou -return." "And the spirit shall return to God who gave it." - -Yet to the true and faithful followers of the blessed Redeemer--who -ransomed the world by the pouring out of His own blood, and opened up -a way whereby we may escape the further penalties of a violated -law--rest will come by-and-by. "There is rest for the weary," and -mansions prepared for them in the "City of God," in that better world. -Remember, the Saviour said: - - "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there ye - may also be. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of - the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of - God. The same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will - not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will - confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He - that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his - God, and he shall be my son." "WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM - COME." "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain - of the _water of life_ freely." "THEY SHALL LIVE FOR EVER - AND EVER." - -There the redeemed of the Lord shall, with their blessed Saviour, -"inherit the kingdom," where the glory of God illumines the "city," -and throws its radiance over all the vast realm. O what a delightful -place for a permanent "_Home!_" How singularly different it contrasts -with our residence on earth. Here we have to endure toil, pain, and -death; there, rest, happiness, and eternal life. See here the -care-worn, weary husband, toiling and striving against contending -billows and waves of misfortune, to earn a support for a helpless, -dependent family; perhaps his strivings are the more difficult because -of pain of body or anguish of mind. Disease in some form may be -preying upon his vitality, even through long years of existence, and -he knows that it will eventually conquer, and consign him to his -grave. Or, if bodily health prevails, the mind may be tortured and -distracted at witnessing the sufferings of a beloved wife, or -children, as one by one they are smitten down or snatched away by -death; or still more poignant the grief and anguish he endures because -of the alienation of affections, or family tumults, of strifes and -contentions. See that wife and mother lingering by the bedside of a -devoted, yet now dying husband, or clasping to her tortured and -heaving bosom the lifeless form of a beloved child, and yet powerless -to save the one or call back the other. These are the heart-struggling -in the tempest of life. Soon they will be over. A few years more, at -most, and then all will be still; this mortality will be silent in the -grave. - -But of that "home in heaven." "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O -City of God." There love, peace, and joy forever reigns. There is the -"full fruition" and realization of "the hope of the glory of God." -There "their lines have fallen to them in pleasant places." There they -realize "fulness of joy," and their heritage "pleasures for evermore." -There they find "that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, -and that fadeth not away." There they have a home in an enduring city, -whose foundations are eternal. There the palms of victory; and crowns -of glory. There they walk the gold-paved streets of the city, or -wander at pleasure in the 'Garden of the Lord,' or amidst forests -green, or pleasant groves. There the crystal fountains play their -sparkling waters in the light of eternal day, and the "river of life" -flows "from beneath the throne of God," onward and onward, meandering -through, and encircling the vast realm of that heavenly empire. There -perennial spring, and never-fading flowers. There old age and -decrepitude are never known, but all clothed upon with "garments of -righteousness," will live and dwell in perpetual immortal youth, -through the ever-recurring cycles of endless eternity. Angels of God -are there. The Prophets, Apostles, and Martyrs are there; ministers of -God are there; some of our kindred friends are there; others of them -will _soon_ be there. The redeemed of earth, who were accepted of the -Lord are there, and the remainder of the "ransomed hosts," are now -pressing on, or coming after, and _will all be there_, and form an -innumerable company which no one can number, each can form pleasant -associations there, never to be broken up, "For nothing shall disturb -in all the holy mountains." Reader, are you striving for that HAPPY -HOME? - - - - -_CONCLUSIVE AND CONCLUDING ARGUMENT._ - - -The Sun is held by all Philosophers and Astronomers to be the central -pivot of the solar system, and the _loadstone power of attraction_, -which governs, steadies, and controls all its surrounding -planet-worlds in their orbits. So great is its power of attraction, -that a counter-balancing force was necessary to keep the machinery of -Nature in order. This force is produced by the attracting power of the -various planet-worlds, placed in proper positions in surrounding -space, and thus furnishing the _centrifugal_, to counterbalance the -_centripetal_ force _ascribed_ to the Sun, by which means our earth, -and the other planets, are kept whirling in their elliptical orbits, -and thus each prevented from being drawn by the superior centripetal -or attracting power of that globe into certain destruction by the -fires of the _Sun_. - -This is the hypothesis, we believe, of every Philosopher and -Astronomer of the present day. - -Now let us examine this hypothesis, and see if it does not foreshadow -and sustain our own. - -In the first place, it is _true_ that the _"loadstone power of -attraction" is there_: but it is _within_ what all denominate the SUN, -and by _this_ the surrounding planets are controlled. But this power -_is not the Sun_. For what all denominate the Sun, is that which gives -out light and heat. The Sun is _fire_, _heat_, and _brightness_ or -light. Fire, or heat, is _ethereal_; has no such power of attraction: -but on the contrary, is repelling and dissipating. There is no solid -substance in fire; it is an invisible agency--save when it is -concentrated. It would be an unreasonable hypothesis to conclude that -the fires of the Sun were fed on combustible material. The Sun may -have been just the same as it is now, for untold _billions of -years_--possibly from all eternity--and God, by His Word has revealed -the fact that it will continue forever--even as long as His throne. -Hence, if produced by combustion, its material would be constantly -wasting away, and, as Prof. Olmsted says, "the products of combustion -would obscure its light." Therefore, as there is no tangible source, -and all agree that God Himself was, and still is its source, we hold that -our hypothesis, that it is a fixed volume of _Photospheric-ethereal_, or -_spirit-fire_, is correct. That it is one of Jehovah's attributes; ever -existing and performing its offices in creative and enduring Nature; -never increasing nor diminishing. - -Now, this being the only reasonable, and--as we believe--correct -hypothesis, of the origin, nature, and element of the _Sun_--the Sun -being the brightness we see in looking at it--_where_ and _what is the -loadstone power of attraction_, which reaches out millions of miles -into space, and controls vast worlds, steadying each in its own -orbital path, while they are flying round at the rate of from fifty -thousand, to one hundred thousand miles an hour? We think the answer -plain, and that all can comprehend it. This Earth is a solid body, and -_all such_ possess, within themselves, the power of attraction. -Therefore, the laws of Nature reveal the fact to us, that _the great -central and controlling power of attraction_ attributed to the _Sun_, -is the vast INNER GLOBE we have been contemplating; a globe, or world, -more than a million times the size of this Earth. Leading Astronomers -have agreed on the existence of such a body within; and far -separated--by a non-luminous atmosphere or void--from the outer -_photosphere of ethereal fire_. That globe we hold is--_beyond a -doubt_--the "HEAVENLY WORLD" spoken of throughout the Holy Scriptures, -and is the final and eternal home of the righteous. - -We see wisdom displayed, and find law and order in every thing we -comprehend which pertains to God and Nature. Phenomena, which for long -ages were mysteries, are now, through the lights of science, being -fully comprehended and made plain to all. And, by reasoning from -analogy, new arts and sciences are comprehended, while each additional -light gained flashes upon some other hidden mystery, and reveals in it -nothing but _law_ and _order_, in all its arrangements. - -The progress made of late in the arts and sciences is wonderful -indeed; yet this is only the progress of the mind of man, and the -enlightenment of his intellect. And we believe that the next decade of -years will develop _facts_ which might startle the minds of the wisest -of to-day to contemplate. - -That vast world--surrounded by the Sun--controls this Earth and its -other surrounding planets. From that world, and Sun--in its -offices--we derive every blessing while on Earth, and we cannot doubt -but that when we find our future, IT WILL BE THERE. The righteous to -dwell _within_ where, we have shown you, the Sun does not or cannot -shine; but where the _glory of God_ is the light of the holy place, -and yet we have the evidence that one of the offices of the _Sun_ will -be the punishment of the wicked who cannot enter that HEAVENLY WORLD. - -"_Whoso is wise will observe these things._" Psalms, cvii. - - - - -_WILL ALL TAKE HEED?_ - - * * * * * * -Gentle reader, we are about to take our leave -of you. We have penned the lines which compose this volume at short -intervals obtained recently from a laborious professional life. Our -mind has been duly impressed with the correctness of the views we have -advanced. Indeed, to disbelieve them, would seem to disbelieve Divine -revelations, and let the mind become again shrouded with impenetrable -mystery in regard to the place of our future habitation, and of the -manner and mode of the spirit's transit thither after the death of the -body. All should remember that they will be held accountable for the -light and knowledge they receive. - -We feel fully assured that our hypothesis as to the location of -Heaven--as also that of Hell--is well founded and fully sustained by -God's own revelations, both as recorded in the Bible, and as seen in -visible nature. As to the "Spirit of God as fire," we have presented -such evidence as Divine revelations have furnished us, and only added -to these such as _reason_, as the perceptive faculties of all, do or -may comprehend, and we do not see wherein the _Christian World_ can -found any objections to our conclusions. - -That there might be culled from the Bible a few passages which may -seem not to reflect our views is natural, when we consider how it is -interspersed with the views and versions of various historical writers -in the chronicling of events. But we believe Divine revelations -furnish sufficient _positive evidence_ to sustain us; such evidence as -the _reason_ of every enlightened and reflecting mind will comprehend -and approve. We believe this knowledge should--nay, doubtless, -_will_--have a salutary and beneficial effect upon the minds and -hearts of all. We now leave all as a _personal matter with you_. That -you _will have a future_ you cannot doubt. We therefore beseech you to -remember "that God will not be mocked" with impunity; neither can he -be deceived. - -"_For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that -soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that -soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting._" - -Hear the Preacher of God (Eccl. xii. 13, 14): - -"_Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep -His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall -bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be -good, or whether it be evil._" - - * * * * * - - - - -APPEAL - -TO - -CHRISTIAN MINISTERS. - - -It might reasonably be expected that as we have advanced a new -hypothesis as to the location of _Heaven_, and also of _Hell_, that we -should also give our views as to what we deem the correct faith and -principles of the _true Christian Religion_. You will see in our -"_Preface_" that we have not designed to make our book sectarian in -behalf of any one of the different Protestant organizations. And, not -being a minister of the Gospel, we leave the great and important work -of thus directing the mind to those whose rightful mission it is to -instruct. True, our views upon this subject are foreshadowed in these -pages, but we believe the time has now come when there should be a -_general review_ by all leading Divines. That they should take under -consideration all new lights afforded by the sciences--especially the -science of Astronomy--and bring these to bear with philosophical -reason upon Divine Revelations and Bible truths; and thereby -comprehend more fully the nature of God, and his requirements of man -in order to salvation. We think that by such action on their part, -that most, even if not all of the minor sectarian differences of -opinion can be removed, and that all can unite as one great Family of -the Church of God on Earth; and that mysteries which have hitherto -shrouded the minds of the masses--as to the necessary faith and -practice in a true religion--may thereby be removed, and all the world -of mankind be brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, and "know -the Lord, whom to know aright is Eternal Life." - -We know that, at first thought, this may seem to be a great -undertaking; and, however desirable, some may entertain doubts as to -its accomplishment, and therefore hesitate to move in the matter; yet -we believe that it can, and, sooner or later, will be accomplished, -and that the final results will prove worthy the life efforts of every -Christian minister on this Earth. - -Neither ministers, their flocks, nor the entire human family now on -the Earth, have long to live, nor time to delay in this great matter. -One decade of _ten_ short years, and about _one third of all now -living_ will have passed away, while _thirty years_ will close the -drama of life with _one thousand millions_, or most of the present -inhabitants of this globe, and all must find their future state of -existence. Many of us can look back over thirty years past, and -realize that the time has been _short_. So, also, will be the few -remaining years allotted to any of us. Therefore, it becomes all to -heed well the warning voice of Him who hath said: - -"_Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there -is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, -whither thou goest._" - -All the different church organizations _cannot be right_ in their -present faith and practice, however lenient they may profess to be -toward each other, or even _hope_ that such is the case. This were -impossible. God has designed to establish _one true universal Church_ -on this Earth, and HE WILL DO IT, though it should sweep away every -such organization now in existence, and even obliterate their every -land-mark. We do not say that there is not now in each, more or less, -of the germ of _truth_, nor that from these scattered fragments may -not yet be gathered that which shall constitute the body and life of -the whole. There may be a struggle first with the powers of darkness, -yet this GREAT CHURCH WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND PREVAIL. - -The lights of true science, which are revealing more fully God's own -revelations, we believe, will _force_ a change to a more _universal -system of religion_. The mind will comprehend more of the Great -Jehovah, and of His will and plan of salvation. Therefore, we believe -it to be the duty of all Christian ministers to move in this matter. -They should investigate and comprehend all the new lights afforded -them, and thereby be enabled to make plain the revelations of God; -remove all mystery; establish His Eternal Truth, and teach all minds -and hearts to "look up through Nature to Nature's God." - -This will not be the work of only a day, or a week, nor yet of any one -individual; but the work of _time_, with the _united efforts_ of -leading minds of the age, and we hope that its commencement will not -long be delayed. - -It must be acknowledged that the _plans_ of salvation, as now taught -by the many different Protestant Church organizations, are all, more -or less, mystery to the outside world. Hence, _Infidelity_ has in this -highly colored reasons--at least to sustain their assertions against -the _truth_ of the _Christian religion_, and so also have the JEWS. -This fact no one can reasonably deny. The mind of man--his thinking, -_reasoning_ faculty--must be convinced by evidence before he can be -brought to believe, and in this great and important matter he _must -believe_ before he will act. - -The _Mind_ must be left free and _untrammelled_, and governed only by -_enlightened reason_. This should be the course pursued by all -teaching ministers. LIGHT, LIBERTY, and ETERNAL LIFE should be the -watchwords of those who stand upon the "Walls of Zion!" The mind must -be taught to _love_ God in all His Immaculate perfections, and to -serve Him through that love which "_casteth out all fear_." St. Paul -says, "_God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and -of_ LOVE _and of a sound mind._" John tells us, "_There is no fear in -love; but perfect love casteth out all fear; because fear hath -torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love._" And yet in -PERFECT LOVE, we shall _always_ have the "fear of God before our -eyes;" we shall ever fear to offend Him, and thereby fulfil every -commandment given us _to_ fear Him. But "HE THAT DWELLETH IN GOD, -DWELLETH IN LOVE." - -We believe that if the Christian ministry throughout would properly -present the claims of God to the _love_ of the human heart, there -would soon be a turning of the masses to Him, such as has never been -witnessed since the beginning of the world. - -That by the teachings of so many different creeds, their widely -different faith and doctrines, the mind of man in general has become -bewildered; and that mystery, deep, dark, almost impenetrable, -hangs--more or less--over all, we cannot deny. See the numerous -different Church organizations, founded and presided over by men of -intellect and learning; each claiming to be established by _Scriptural -authority!_ and yet in their faith and teachings, all conflicting, -more or less, with each other. We cannot doubt the honesty and -sincerity of these ministers, nor of their church members; yet may -not many of them be "blind leaders of the blind?" To each of these, -all other organizations, faith, and doctrine seem a mystery; and if a -mystery to those who are striving after light and truth in the way of -life and salvation, is it not far more of mystery to those outside, -who have not been educated into any system of religious belief? The -truth is, _enlightened reason_ condemns this exhibition as the "Church -of God," for it has become "a stumbling block" in the road to truth -and the way of salvation. When we go to the founders and leaders of -these different organizations, and ask, why all these conflicting -elements? the majority of them will answer, remember that Christ hath -said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches," and add a garbled -quotation from the writings of St. Paul, "_Great is the mystery of -godliness_." - -Now there is but one _true vine_, and all its branches will bring -forth the same "good fruits of righteousness" by which all shall be -known. And as to _mystery_, let us see what the great apostle of the -Gentiles did say. - -"_And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was -manifested in the flesh, justified in the_ _Spirit, seen of angels; -preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up -into glory._" - -There we have all of it, and, taken together, it explains itself to -every intelligent mind, and thus, properly comprehended, removes _all -mystery_, and implies the necessary faith and plan of salvation. - - -FORESHADOWINGS. - -The "signs of the times" are pregnant with coming and wonderful -events. The rapid progress of mind, the developments through the -sciences--which are now throwing flood-lights upon Divine revelations, -and giving to the enlightened world a more comprehensive knowledge of -the Great Jehovah, and of His wonderful works--are all potent with -argument of the necessity that the effort for a UNITED CHURCH should -speedily be made. A partial comprehension of these wonderful -developments, without further aids, may tend to throw doubt and -suspicion upon the minds of many, as to whether or not any of the -Christian organizations have comprehended the true plan of salvation. -Whilst a divided church, a divided ministry, and their opposite -teachings can but tend to strengthen such doubts, bewilder the mind, -and lead to _Infidelity_. - -Now it rests with leading spirits and teachers of _every_ Christian -denomination--whether _Protestant_ or _Catholic_--to say whether this -advance shall be made in behalf of _true religion_: the Church of God, -and the salvation of souls, or in the interest of Satan, the opposing -enemy; whether this advance shall be true _Christianity_, or -_Infidelity_; whether the upbuilding of the Kingdom of Christ, and -hastening the time when He shall reign in the hearts of all; or, by -indifference and default, permitting the upbuilding of _Babylon_, and -the reseating of the "SCARLET WOMAN," _and_ thus tenfold intensifying -the great and _final struggle_. - -There is a _true philosophy_ in religion, and by instructing the mind -to comprehend this, the final happy results will ensue. - -We often hear ministers praying for the time to come "when the world -shall be converted to God; when all shall know Him from the least unto -the greatest." They claim the promise that such a time _will come_, -and yet can but see that wickedness is gaining ground, and that within -their church organizations they do not number _one third of the -population_--even in what are denominated Christian countries, nor do -they keep pace with the increase of population, and yet they seem -contented with their "little flocks." - -Ye ministers of the "LIVING GOD," if ye have come to "Mount Zion" by -faith and prayer, and "holy living," we call upon you to unite your -efforts in the spirit of _brotherly love_ and CHRISTIAN UNITY, and -show to a "perishing world" that you are in _earnest_ in your Master's -cause, and that you desire the salvation of the _whole human family_, -else He may say to you, "_I will come quickly, and will remove thy -candlestick out of his place._" - - * * * * * - -In regard to the theory we have advanced as to the location of Heaven, -we leave you, and all, to examine the revelations of God through the -lights of science; Nature around you, and with _reason_ bearing upon -the fact that God, the Great Jehovah, the Creator of all, though a -_Spirit_, is not a _myth_; and that reality, law, order, and system -universally prevail throughout all His works, and with these He -governs His Universe. - -God's own revelations, the lights afforded through the sciences, -Nature around us, true philosophy and reason, all confirm our -hypothesis. Cut loose now from this, and we can anchor nowhere, save -in a blind incomprehensible faith, ever floating and drifting as in a -_sea of ether_, and surrounded by impenetrable _mystery_ and _gloom_. - -All hold and teach that the spirit, when it leaves the body, flies -away from _mortality_ and Earth, and goes to the place prepared for it -by its Creator. The celerity with which spirit moves we do not now -know, but the reality and law of its flight does exist, and this by -God's own arrangement and established agency in Nature. That such -agency is continually with us, and ready at all times for the use of -disembodied spirit, we cannot doubt--nay, possibly its principle or -element is _in_ and _of_ us, from the first moment of our existence, -through all subsequent time, and will continue to all eternity to -come. - -The _blood_ is the life of man, its element or stimulæ of life is -_electricity_, let this but escape from the blood, and with it the -soul or spirit has fled, and the body is left to moulder back to dust. -We find electricity to be a principle of _immateriality_; an element -of _fire_, which pervades all things, in a greater or less degree, not -only solids and fluids, but also atmosphere or air. - -Now let us consider this element which God has permitted man to -comprehend as existing in nature, and yet veils it from our sight, -and, although he permits us to use it for beneficial purposes, yet we -can never see or comprehend more than its _effects_, for, in itself, -it is _ethereal_ and no mortal eye can behold it. Man has not only -been permitted to comprehend that the principle of electricity does -exist in Nature, but also to measure, by time, its rapid flight. Thus, -with proper appliances, this Earth can be belted with it in about _one -tenth_ part of a second of time. It would seem to almost annihilate -time, and space, as its flight is nearly 300,000 miles a second--being -more than one third swifter than _light_. - -In preceding pages, we have dwelt upon the distance of our Earth from -the Sun, and also distances to various planets, and to some of the -fixed stars, and _nebulæ_, far away in sidereal regions. We have given -you the conclusions of the most scientific Astronomers throughout the -world. Their measurement of distances by light have been shown to -approximate correctness, and the truth of their deductions we cannot -doubt. They have explored regions so far remote, that it is rendered -certain that it has required _light several hundred thousand years_ -from the time it left its native Sun, to reach our Earth, and that -these rays travelling from thence, are now successively arriving and -beaming upon the eye when it is placed to the telescope. Indeed, from -one cluster of suns, or nebulæ, beyond the "milky way," it is computed -that the light derived from thence has been 700,000 years in transit, -although travelling at the rate of 192,000 miles a second. - -Now all these facts are astounding, and must impress every reflecting -mind with force. All can see that Astronomers, by the aid of that -wonderful gift of God to man--the telescope--have looked abroad, and -have penetrated and surveyed with the eye space far remote in sidereal -regions, to the extent of which it would require 300,000 years for -_electricity_ to reach at a flight of 300,000 miles a second, and yet -they have not discovered any thing greatly different from our own -planetary system, nor any object or seeming phenomenon they could -denominate _heaven_. Without a solution of these facts, is not the -mind bewildered and _lost_ in the hazy contemplation? If heaven is -still _far out beyond_, what period or measure of Eternity may it -requite for the spirit, or soul to reach it after leaving the body? -Knowing that there is stern reality, regulated law, order, and motion -in all pertaining to Jehovah, His creations and government; even the -_mind of faith_ staggers, and must founder in the contemplation of -conceptions so mighty and so mysterious. - -You have taught us to believe that heaven is a "fixed place," and has -a "permanent locality," but while accepting this through faith, you -have failed to give us a _permanent thought_. Therefore, -notwithstanding all our hopes and desires, _mystery_ and _gloom, dark -and impenetrable_, have shrouded the mind's eye of faith; leaving no -light but an excited and restless _imagination_, and we call upon you -to give _faith_ and _hope_ a _resting-place_ somewhere else than -floating in _ethereal regions_, and wandering about with _blind chance -through illimitable space_. - -Our hypothesis locates heaven just where _we believe it is_, and _to -it_ the spirit can ascend, on _angel-wings of electricity_, in a -fraction of eternity equal to only _five minutes of time_. And, -although discoveries through the lights of science directed our mind -thither, and assisted its comprehension, yet we believe _Divine -Revelations alone sustain our views_, and thus afford the mind a -resting place where _faith_ and _hope_ can anchor, and be founded in -reality, in _immutable and_ ETERNAL TRUTH. The laws of Nature, the -controlling influence of that world, our perceptive faculties and -_reason_, all proclaim that it must be so. Its protecting fires shield -it from mortal sight, yet proclaim to us through ten thousand -blessings showered upon our earth, _'tis there!_ 'TIS THERE!! - - * * * * * - -Are any ready to ask why the "_glory-light_" of that heavenly world, -represented as "far above the brightness of the Sun" cannot be seen? -Such inquiry must exhibit a lack of knowledge respecting the nature of -God, the GREAT SPIRIT; as also of any proper conception of the -immortal spirit of man. That light is _for spirit alone_, and cannot -be seen by mortal eyes, and that which is darkness to us while our -sight is veiled with mortality, so far as relates to that heavenly -world and our future, becomes--after the death of the body--transcendent -brilliancy, and the light of the "glory of God." - -We have abundant evidence of this fact. Remember that when the Great -Jehovah made His presence manifest on Mount Sinai, although the -mountain burned with fire, yet--to mortal vision--all the surroundings -were filled with "thick clouds and darkness." Yea, "clouds and -darkness were made His pavilion," and, to mortal eyes, "_are the -habitations of His throne_." - -The light of the "_glory of God_" is for spirit alone, and _its_ -radiance will make even the light of the _Sun_ darkness to the -_spirit-eye_. It is possible that should He unveil Himself, and throw -a flash of His _glory-light_ upon this world, it would in an instant -of time destroy the whole race of man, and every living thing, for He -hath said, "_No one shall see me and live._" - -We have on record evidences sustaining our views in regard to such -effects, should the light and brightness of His face or glory be -revealed. See the effects of the light of His glory, even in a veiled -form, when the Son of God made himself manifest from heaven (that -bright world we have been contemplating, wherein he is enthroned, and -where all the righteous shall dwell) to Saul of Tarsus; although He -did not unveil himself, yet "_a light above the brightness of the Sun -at mid-day shone around, and Saul fell to the earth smitten with -blindness_." Yes, this glory-light _is darkness_ to mortal eyes; and -when beheld by spirit, the light of the _Sun_ may even be darkness. -See again its effects upon St. John, the revelator, when, catching but -a glimpse of the Son of man in the midst of the golden candlesticks, -he "_fell at his feet as dead_." Ah, it is possible that all seeming -_natural light_ to us, while in mortality, may become as _darkness_ to -our spirit vision; and we are assured by the word of God, that none -shall see the light of His glory save those who seek regeneration -through LOVE and FAITH, for the wicked shall go into _outer darkness_, -and dwell forever in death, while the righteous shall enter into and -enjoy eternal life. - -Our hypothesis is a pleasing one for the contemplation of every -Christian, and yet cannot interfere in the least with the doctrines of -any who believe there is a heaven. And he who believeth not in either -God or heaven, has lost the intellectual dignity of man in proper -conceptions, and knoweth not even now "what manner of man he is." - -We have given something tangible upon which to fix the mind, and which -will inspire hope; something of _reality_ that all may contemplate. -Remember that we are not forbidden to investigate, nor yet form -conclusions founded on reason; neither is it declared that we shall -not _know_ the location of our future home. - -From all that man can comprehend of nature, _reason_ teaches him to -look for and find--if not in life, _after death_--his future home -somewhere in connection with our own planetary system. This system is -large and grand enough to justify all our aspirations, and satisfy all -our hopes and desires. The extent, grandeur, and glory of the heaven -we have contemplated, will fully satisfy the immortal mind of man, -even as it does the "angels of God," and its King and Ruler, and we -may all consider ourselves fortunate to get there. - - * * * * * - -We have written our book, and thrown out these suggestions with purest -of motives. From the first conception of the idea of heaven being -where, in mind, we locate it, we have felt impressed with the -correctness of our views; so much so, that it impelled us to make the -effort to give them to the world, believing that in doing so we should -advance the true theory which would sustain Christianity, and cause it -to spread and triumph over all opposition; give "to faith that _hope_ -which is an anchor to the soul," and draw the hearts and minds of all -to _love_ God, and yet in that love _fear_ to offend Him. - -We have refrained from consulting the clergy or ministers of _any_ and -every denomination in this matter, desiring simply to give our own -views. We now ask of you all a prayerful and thorough examination by -the evidences of Divine Revelations and all other lights afforded you; -and if you discard our views as to the location of heaven, be -_careful_ and _explicit_ in giving us _your hypothesis_ as to the one -you are inviting us to, and _locate it_ where the _mind of reason_ can -contemplate it, and where _hope_ may span the voyage _the soul must -make_ to reach it after the death of the body. - - - - -APPEAL TO ALL: - -WHETHER JEWS OR GENTILES, PROTESTANTS, CATHOLICS, INFIDELS, OR -INDIFFERENT BELIEVERS. - - -We desire the salvation of the entire human family. We believe that -God has provided a way and plan of salvation by which all should gain -a true and saving knowledge of Him; and we have _appealed_ to -Christian ministers to unite their efforts in prayerful investigation -of His revelations through all new lights afforded them, and to point -out to all, the plain path of _duty_ and _safety_--but not in any wise -labor under the false or mistaken belief that they can stand as _sole -mediator_, or umpire, between God and the souls of men, and, at their -own will or pleasure, mete out to them eternal happiness or misery. -Such as do this "are blind leaders of the blind," and their doctrine -a _fatal delusion_. - -We believe in a living, teaching ministry; and, where heart and life -is fully consecrated to God and His cause, all such may feel that they -are divinely called and commissioned. We hold that such a ministry -should be sustained, and that all should give liberally out of their -abundance, to secure them against want or contingencies which might -retard or prevent their usefulness. - -But our appeal is now to you, in regard to your own _individual -responsibility_. Each has an immortal soul, which must be saved or -lost. No one, save Christ Jesus our Lord, can stand as mediator in -behalf of any to insure salvation or heaven. Popes, bishops, -ministers, and priests _are but men_, and are mortal like ourselves. -They may, by application to study and investigation, gain light and -knowledge--nay, should do it, so as to instruct us in the way of life -and salvation, but further than this they cannot go. We have no -evidence, neither in the Old or New Testament Scriptures, where, by -intercession of _man alone_, salvation or heaven was ever obtained by -an unbelieving heart. - -We see that, under the earlier dispensation, Moses was the chosen -servant of God, and divinely commissioned as _High-Priest_ to the -children of Israel. Yet when they sinned, and Jehovah's wrath was -kindled against them, Moses made _direct intercession_ in their -behalf, and even plead, saying: "_If thou wilt not forgive them, blot -me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written._" Hear the -answer of the Lord: "_Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I -blot out of my book; * * * * mine angel shall go before thee; -nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sins upon -them._" Thus, although His judgments were stayed for a season, because -of His covenant, yet their final execution was certain. - -We are assured by the Scriptures that there is "_One God_" and "_One -Mediator_," and we may go to God through faith in this _One Mediator_, -and that all who go thus shall obtain eternal life. We have record of -the efficacy of this faith in the application of the dying thief. When -he had signified his belief, hear the answer of the Saviour: "_To-day -shalt thou be with me in Paradise._" Oh, how plain the plan of -salvation! - -All nature proclaims there is a God. His revelations proclaim an -eternal existence of the soul. We all know that we _must die_. However -disappointed we may be in our earthly hopes or fears, yet as to the -certainty of death none will be disappointed--_it is sure to come_. -When the angel of death is commissioned to summon us, soon "_the pale -horse and his rider_" will be at the door; then there can be no delay. -"_Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return._" "_And the soul -shall return to God who gave it._" "_It is appointed unto men once to -die, but after this the judgment._" - -What can you _lose_ by giving your heart to God? What may you not lose -by neglecting to do it? It is _all gain_ and _no loss_. May you all -yield to the gentle drawings of the spirit, which now whispers to your -heart in loving tones with accents of _mercy_, and your spirits -finally be gathered in the fold of angels' wings, and by them borne to -the Paradise of God, where His glory is the light of eternal day. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Spirit of God As Fire, by D. 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