a relief, so soothing to his agonizing heart, as exploring the expanse of revelation, to discern, if possible, the track through which a beloved spirit had recently ascended to the Redeemer's bosom?

That the attention of wise and holy men should have been attracted by this subject, is less wonderful, than that few, if any, have entered fairly and fully into the investigations which it requires. From certain general principles, most writers appear to have reached their conclusion; and that conclusion has varied according to the principle which regulated their proceedings. The present Essay is not intended to oppose, nor even to expound, the hypotheses of others; but to submit a course of investigation, pursued under the guidance of some intimations discovered in the Sacred Volume, aided by the light incidentally cast on the subject, from the blending radiance of its most important doctrines.

Infancy is here understood to comprehend, that period of early life during which the energies of human nature are not sufficiently developed for employing objective means of moral knowledge, and there is, consequently, no natural capacity for happiness from moral considerations. This period is not defined, and perhaps admits of no limitation generally applicable; since from various causes, it may vary indefinitely in different subjects. In the following discussion, it is assumed, that the

deceased children, of whatever age, were not moral agents. And concerning these, it is concluded, that while the Holy Scriptures supply more copious and satisfactory grounds of hope for the happiness of deceased infants, who descended from pious parents, they yet reveal enough to warrant a persuasion that all children dying in infancy, of whatever age and clime, are "saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation."

It is not, however, to be concealed, that the way to this conclusion is occupied by difficulties, at first sight appalling, and apparently insurmountable. These demand our first attention, both because they chiefly arise out of certain doctrines of revelation, which are justly deemed to be of established verity, and of prime importance; and also because, unless these be removed, every step of the progress will be embarrassed, and many a cheering prospect will be intercepted. Should it be found that, allowing to the doctrines themselves their entire magnitude and appropriate range, the difficulties which seemed to attend them no longer thwart our course, we may then advance without impediment, and, ascending the elevations of revealed truth, may breathe their reviving atmosphere, and catch among their delightful prospects, a distant view of the mansions where our absent infants dwell.

PART THE FIRST.

THE HAPPINESS OF DECEASED INFANTS IS CONSISTENT WITH VARIOUS LEADING DOCTRINES OF REVELATION, AND WITH ACKNOWLEDGED FACTS.

In this part of the discussion, there is chiefly intended an appeal to the analogy of faith, or that principle of harmony which must subsist among doctrines divinely revealed, so that matters doubtful or obscure, may, in some respects, be determined by a reference to other matters clearly exhibited. Our minds will hesitate concerning the salvation of departed infants, in proportion as the opinion appears inconsistent with various points of undoubted truth. Dear as the thought may be, it must not be indulged in defiance of the well-attested announcements of Holy Scripture.

And this view demands our first attention, for the reasons lately suggested. It is, moreover, the first which occurs to a mind anxiously enquiring; nor will the most encouraging intimations of the Sacred Volume tranquillize the heart, or even find an unopposed admission there, while it is agitated with suspicions, growing out of conscientious convictions derived from the tenor of revelation.

It is deemed neither necessary nor desirable, to illustrate at large, much less to attempt any proof of, the doctrines themselves which come under notice. But, in some instances, where different hypotheses have been constructed on the facts as they appear in the Scriptures, or where the difficulties arise from a misapprehension of theological questions, something of this nature seems important.

While the prime object is, from honest conviction, to establish the position immediately before us, it is considered indispensable to the satisfaction of enquirers, to shew how that position may harmonize with various apprehensions of the same scripture doctrine, a process in some cases found more easy, than to determine which of two opinions is to be preferred. At the same time, it is conceived, that in proportion as the tests are multiplied to which the position can be subjected, so much the more likely we are to ascertain its compatibility with the whole system of revealed truth. A greater measure of satisfaction, is worth a more varied and extended illustration than might be absolutely necessary to the argument.

SECTION I.

The silence of the Scriptures ought to be no discouragement.

How this produces anxiety. But the silence of the Scriptures proves nothing;-this point not within their design;-on other interesting points, equally reserved;-explicit revelation not necessary to the truth.

A DEVOUT person, under the excitement of peculiar interest in this enquiry, in the first place, naturally desires and seeks some explicit declaration on the subject in the Sacred Volume. Finding to be ineffectual, a scrutiny which, in defiance of similar endeavours, he was impelled by solicitude to pursue with hopes of better success than his predecessors, he too commonly resigns himself to despondency. Repelled from unwarranted hopes, he is precipitated, by a revulsion too natural, to an equally unwarranted despair. He persuades himself that, on a matter so highly important to his comfort, his compassionate Father has been silent, because he would not augment the grief of the living, by disclosing the awful condition of the dead. Thus, as in many other cases, by grasping at too much, we lose what might have been obtained.

Were not the mind of such enquirer discomposed by its own eagerness, an observation commonly made, and obviously just, would occur for its relief-the silence of scripture in such cases,