obstacle to such a union of pious hearts, and holy social intercourse ?-to such a renewal of earthly recollections? Is there any reason why Paul, and Barnabas, and Luke, and Timothy-fellow labourers on earth, and companions in glory-should not now review with gratitude and praise, their common dangers, and trials, and sufferings, in their efforts for the conversion of the heathen world? If not, and assuredly there is not, then why may not all pious friends and relatives, who have journeyed together through life's pilgrimage, be permitted to meet at its close, and review the dangers and count up the blessings of the way; and, with united hearts and voices, bless Him, who conducted them safely to the haven where they would be? Why may not the parents and their children, brothers and sisters, unite once more in the social circle, and send up their anthems of praise, for being brought together to this state of glory? Love never faileth; not even when faith is lost in sight, and hope in fruition. In heaven, the love of God and the love of our neighbour will be our highest duty, our highest privilege, our highest joy. And so we trust it will be, in reference to those endearments which now constitute the chief charm of life-they will be purified, strengthened, and perpetuated. "All is not over with earth's broken tieWhere, where should sisters love, if not on high?"* "It is yet but a little while," says the eloquent Melvill," and we shall be delivered from the burden and the conflict, and, with all those who have preceded us in the righteous struggle, enjoy the deep raptures of a Mediator's presence. Then, reunited to the friends with whom we took sweet counsel upon earth, we shall recount our toil only to heighten our ecstasy; and call to mind the tug and the din of the war, only that, with a more bounding throb, and a richer *Mrs. Hemans. song, we may feel and celebrate the wonders of redemption."* It is unnecessary to pursue this subject further. From the view we have taken of it, we think it abundantly evident, that Scripture allows us to hope that we shall know our friends in another life, that all those, "who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead," will be reunited to, and associate with, those whom they knew and loved in this life," and contribute to each others delight in that condition of perpetual blessedness." *Sermons, Am. Ed. p. 117. CHAPTER V. THE PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOC TRINE. THE subject we have been considering is not without its practical influence on our hearts and lives, in comforting us under the bereavement of pious friends, in stimulating us to greater zeal and faithfulness in our Christian calling, and in awakening a deeper solicitude for the eternal welfare of those, with whom we are now associated by bonds of kindred and affection. Can we look around on our dear domestic circle and not feel that here are additional ties to bind us-not to earth, but to heaven? Can we look up to the mansions of glory, and call to mind the many friends whom we trust, through grace, are now there, and not feel our hearts drawn more strongly to that blessed home? As death removes, one by one, the heart's choicest treasures, shall we not think "How grows in Paradise our store," and thus be led to set our affections more and more on things above? There is something inimitably beautiful and touching in that expression of the Rev. John Newton, in one of his letters to Mrs. Hannah More:-"I need not say to myself, or my dear friends who are in the Lord, Quo nunc abibis in loco? We know where they are, and how employed. There I humbly trust my dear Mary is waiting for me, and in the Lord's own time I hope to join with her and all the redeemed in praising the Lamb, once upon the cross, now upon the throne of glory."* Who has not felt, with this holy man, the joy and comfort which such a hope inspires? Who that cannot say with him, in reference to some one sainted friend, a wife, a sister, a child, a husband, a parent, a brother * Memoirs of Hannah More, vol. ii. p. 61. |