earth at the day when the race of beings which have lived upon it shall be judged for their conduct during that life. 3d, That stars and planets appear to have been changed, both in their positions and matter, without affecting even any others in their neighbourhood, as far as we can observe, and that no allusion is made in the sacred writings to the annihilation of any worlds or starry orbs ;-change of place or alteration only being indicated when allusion is made to them, and even if the sun and planets of our system are to be held as included in the catastrophe which shall involve the earth and its atmosphere, there is not the most distant probability that any bodies beyond them, such as the fixed stars, shall share their fate. 4th, If the earth and heavenly bodies remain after we have entered upon our eternal state, or if any of them shall do so, it is highly probable that the accepted of God, promoted in the scale of creation to be the angels or messengers of His will throughout the immeasurable universe, shall become infinitely better acquainted with these bodies and the secret laws which direct them than at present; and there can be no good reason assigned against the idea of our inhabiting either one or several of them in our glorified state; or at least of then visiting them, and gradually learning more and more of their respective natures. THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF IMMORTALITY. IN Man's bright morn he feels as Life could stay Laughing unconscious of the danger near- When even life is ebbing from the heart. But ought this world's light wreaths of flowers to bind In willing thraldom those who hope to find Immortal pleasures under heavenly ray, And the next hour may close life's transient day? First paints the buds whose leaves may ne'er be seen This world to meet with those whom now we grieve, And calmly trust the Voice which cannot lie, While, therefore, here, we often ought to spare Do souls lie torpid here beneath the clod, They need no breath, nor hearts, nor blood to flow Through frames which sink beneath Death's slightest blow; But, when dark fate fulfils our mortal doom, The soul must then that instant burst the gloom Which now o'erhangs the unseen state of death, But soon shall vanish when we yield our breath. 561 While angels lead to our appointed place, Ascend to Highest Heaven, and we shall hear The words which now our nature could not bear : Where conscience makes us mis'rable or blest, When o'er the body sleep holds potent sway, When earthly voices no impression make, Where, conscious of its state-of hope or fear Its thoughts may soar to Heaven, or know perdition near. Should we not think, then, of earth's dreadful day, And how to gain our pardon while we may? |