him; no house eternal prepared in the heavens!

These reasonings are much strengthened by the belief that has ever prevailed among all mankind, of the soul's immortality. It is not an opinion that took its rise from the thin-spun speculation of some abstract philosophers. Never has any nation been discovered on the face of the earth so rude and barbarous, that in the midst of their wildest superstitions there was not cherished among them some expectations of a state after death, in which the virtuous were to enjoy happiness. So universal a consent in this belief, affords just ground to ascribe it to some innate principle implanted by God in the human breast. Had it no foundation in truth, we must suppose that the Creator found it necessary for the purposes of his government, to carry on a principle of universal deception among his rational subjects. Many of the strongest passions of our nature are made to have a clear reference to a future ex

istence of the soul. The love of fame, and the ardent concern which so often prevails about futurity, all allude to somewhat in which men suppose themselves to be personally concerned after death. The consciences both of the good and the bad, bear witness to a world that is to come. Seldom do men leave this world without some fears or hopes respecting it; some secret anticipations and presages of what is hereafter to befall them.

But though the reasonings which have been adduced to prove the immortality of the soul and a future state, are certainly of great weight, yet reasonings still they are, and no more, and in every human reasoning, suspicions may arise of some fallacy or error. In a point so momentous to us, as our existence after death, we never could, with absolute certainty and full satisfaction, have rested on any evidence except what was confirmed by the declaration of God himself. For many and high blessings we are indebted to the

Christian revelation; for none more than for its having brought life and immortality to light. The revelations made by God to the world in early ages, gave the first openings to this great article of faith and hope. In future periods the light dawned more and more; but it was not until the Sun of righteousness arose by the appearance of Christ on earth, that the great discovery was completed. Then, indeed, were made known the city of the living God, the new Jerusalem above, the mansions prepared for the spirits of just men made perfect. Nor was a state of future felicity only proclaimed by Christ and his apostles to good men, but was represented as purchased for them by the death of their Redeemer. 66 I give," he was authorized to say, "unto my sheep eternal life. In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you." Accordingly, he lay down in the grave; rose as the first fruits of them that slept; and ascending into heaven, entered there within

the veil, as the forerunner of his followers, to assure them of all being friendly and well disposed towards them in those upper regions. All therefore who live and die in the faith and obedience of Jesus, are entitled to say with the apostle, we know; not only we hope and we reason, but "we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

THE CHARACTER UNCHANGED BY DEATH.

The connections which the society of the world renders necessary may cease; but the cast they have given to the character, the feelings they have excited, the affections they have formed, the habits they have produced, will continue; and the objects on which the heart now so fondly rests, may be the objects. of a purer and more exalted interest when the frailties of nature cease, and they are met. among the angels of God.

The cultivation of particular affections, of the affections arising from the parental, filial, and conjugal relations, is not only the dictate of nature, but the command of duty. And is the culture of this part of our character to be entirely useless hereafter? Are none of the