present pages. But before we enter upon the examination of such a subject as the present, a few remarks upon its nature and relative importance may not be improper, with a view to place it in a distinct light, and to obviate the mistakes and prejudices which, in some instances, it might otherwise have to encounter.

In the view of futurity, the excursive mind of man is alive to a high degree of curiosity; and this is increased rather than diminished by the distance of the objects he attempts to descry, and the cloud of obscurity which is observed to hang over them. There cannot be any thing unlawful in this propensity, provided we bring it under due restraint, lest it should betray us into presumptuous and unprofitable speculations respecting the particular circumstances of our destiny in a future world. It is a disposition which arises from the very constitution of human nature, having its origin in the desire of knowledge combined with that intense and irrepressible interest which is awakened in the bosom of every man by the serious and indefinite anticipation of any realities which deeply affect his welfare, and make an appeal to the most powerful feelings of the heart. And if travellers are concerned to obtain some explicit information respecting a strange and distant land, whither they may be going to take up their permanent abode, and to

enter upon a new condition of life, much more may the christian pilgrim be expected to feel deeply interested in the contemplation of that heavenly country to which he is daily tending, and where he is destined to find his eternal home. But in all inquiries directed to a future state, it is of great importance to remember, that caution and sobriety are peculiarly becoming, both with regard to the selected subject of investigation and the spirit in which we conduct them. We must follow the footsteps of revelation, since we are indebted purely to its discoveries for all certain information respecting our condition in another world. It is the charter of our privileges -the only light which gleams upon us, and breaks through the clouds which shroud our prospects beyond the grave. But what is the course which christianity pursues? While she expatiates much upon the glory of heaven, and kindles into unusual eloquence in her descriptions concerning it, she maintains at the same time a dignified reserve, which is intended to check the spirit of presumptuous and impertinent curiosity. In this, as in every other instance, the scriptures consult our advantage rather than our amusement; and silence commences, as far as can be perceived, where utility ends. Hence the knowledge which it conveys to us respecting the future state of being is of a general character. It consists more in prin

ciples than in minute details; and discloses to us as much of the celestial scene as is sufficient to uphold and animate us in the arduous pursuit of eternal life, without dazzling our minds with a vision of overpowering brilliancy, and abstracting our attention from the more humble, yet all important, concerns of human life.

Thus has revelation, indirectly, prescribed the limit within which all our inquiries respecting an hereafter should be kept, and the spirit in which it becomes us to prosecute them. Yet in how many instances have men of an inquisitive temperament abandoned the path of truth and soberness for vain and fantastic theories, and expended their energies upon the discussion of subjects, which, however gratifying as materials for intellectual exercise, have little or no relation to the welfare of the species. Imagination has been allowed to wander at large into the misty and interminable regions of conjecture; and, stretching forth her hand, has made a vain and ineffectual attempt to draw aside that veil in the temple of truth, which was intended to conceal from mortal view the mysteries of the inner sanctuary.

Within the circle of information laid open to us in the unerring word of God, there is, however, legitimate and ample scope to be found for the gratification and useful employment of the loftiest intellect; and it is unquestionably both our duty

and privilege to enter in an humble and devotional spirit upon this consecrated ground, and diligently to inspect the rich variety of objects which are there presented to the eye of the mind. While we deprecate the spirit of bold and presumptuous curiosity respecting things which are not revealed, it behoves us to guard against the opposite error into which many professing christians have fallen, of contracting the range of lawful inquiry into the nature and circumstances of our future destination. It is a false humility which would impose any unnecessary restraints upon the powers of the mind, and forbid them to range abroad in the pure and transforming element of divine truth. Whatever direct discoveries respecting the life to come are contained in the sacred volume, or whatever information may be deduced from the general principles which enter into the christian economy, are so many particulars which were disclosed by the Spirit of truth, expressly with a view to the comfort and edification of believers. And they are therefore to be considered not only as points of legitimate investigation, but as subjects which demand attention in proportion to the degree of importance which really belongs to them. Religion is often described as a life of faith in the realities of a future world, and the elevation of the soul depends much upon the strength, expansion, and purity of its conceptions, respecting its final and

anticipated condition. By viewing eternity through the medium of divine revelation, and concentrating his hopes in the Son of God, the christian becomes fortified against all the debasing and depressing influences of time, and is increasingly able to appreciate the wonders of redeeming love, which purchased for him so glorious an inheritance, and is preparing him for the full enjoyment of it by a suitable course of discipline in the present world.

We wish to apply the principles embodied in the preceding remarks to the subject proposed for examination, and to abide by the test which they hold out, whatever may be the result of our humble attempt. If we conceived the topic could be fairly ranked with that class of speculative subjects to which we have already adverted, or believed it to be one concerning which revelation does not condescend to satisfy our minds, it would not have occupied our serious attention, and much less had it been obtruded, in the present form, upon the notice of others. It is true, indeed, that the hope of regaining the society of religious friends whom death has separated from us, and that with the full recollection of past intercourse and associations, is not a point upon the decision of which the welfare of the soul essentially depends. Whatever importance we may be disposed to attach to the question in the glow of social feeling, and in