CHAPTER III.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION A UNIVERSAL BELIEF, HOPE, AND DESIRE.

This faith is universal. So is the desire. All universal ideas are true. This is proved from the idea of the exist ence of a God—the soul's immortality — sacrifice and atonement. Fragments prove a whole. Reason never reaches the universal. IIumanity is no lie. The idea of future recognition spontaneous. Farther deductions and proofs from its universality. I. This idea grows with Christianity. II. It grows in each heart with grace. III. It is more firmly held by saints than by sinners. IV. It is most active in the deepest sorrow. Universal desire is also a proof of its truth in the same way. Practical observations. The human race a brotherhood. The world is not all fragments. The kingdom of the dead a catholic kingdom. Human tears promote fellowship.

Love for the dead.

Communion with them.

CHAPTER IV.

46

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION IN THE LIGHT OF REASON.

The dead before the resurrection. No separate discussion necessary. Why? Spiritual peculiarities by which recognition can take place. Spirits not human do know each other. The scriptures make no difference. Will recognition take place on sight, or gradually? Exhibitions of both. Why is this doctrine reasonable. I. The same means which will enable us to identify ourselves will also enable us to recognize our friends. II. Memory will continue in the future life. III. The social law lies deeply and radically imbedded in our nature. IV. Some interruptions by death, which seem, in the nature of things, to require completion in a future life. V. The final Judgment involves details which show that recogni

tion is reasonable and natural. VI. Our knowledge, in the future life, will be enlarged in general and in particular. VII. The interest which heavenly beings take in the affairs of saints on earth induces us to believe the idea of future recognition reasonable. A pleasant conclusion.

66

CHAPTER V.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION AMONG THE JEWS. The Jewish twilight. Progress in this doctrine. The Jews knew of a future life. They believed in future recognition. Proofs. I. The care and affection with which they disposed of the bodies of their dead points to the hope and belief in future reunion. II. Their strong desire to be buried with their kindred. III. The manner in which they spake of their dead, as "gathered to their people." IV. This doctrine is seen in some examples of pure and disinterested friendship. V. This doctrine is seen in the conduct of David at the death of his child, and the way he consoled himself. VI. This doctrine appears also in later prophets. This faith among the Jews was implicit. 85

CHAPTER VI.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION IN THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST.

The object of Christ's mission into the world. He spake incidentally of heaven. The doctrine of heavenly recognition in hints and allusions. Proofs. I. This doctrine is involved in the nature of that kingdom which Christ established on earth, and which is to continue in heaven. II. We this doctrine in what Christ says of heaven as the home of the saints. III. We find this doctrine in the Saviour's representations of the final Judgment. IV. This doctrine appears in several passages of the Saviour's teachings. We first feel it true, and then know it. Conclusion. Poetry by Bp. Mant.

116

CHAPTER VII.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION AMONG THE
APOSTLES.

The Apostles' ideas of another life-of the kingdom of Christ― of our union with each other in this kingdomof the identity of the Church on earth and in heaven. Hints and allusions. They expected to present their converts in the day of Christ's coming. The pastor's joy, hope, and crown in heaven. Those asleep in Jesus-true consolation in regard to them. A look into heaven from Patmos, and sights which were seen. Charity never faileth. Holy love, and mere passion. A beautiful poem by Southey. Light from a happy land.

142

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION AMONG THE CHRIS.

TIAN FATHERS.

Why we desire to know their sentiments.

The affection

they showed towards their pious dead. They visit the
place where they are buried. Their desire for martyr-
dom. Their horror at the Roman practice of burning the
bodies of the dead. The affecting burial of Cyprian by
his flock. They associated the remembrance of the dead
with their religious services. They buried them around
the church. They celebrated the anniversary of their
death upon the graveyards. Partook of the communion
in token of an unbroken union with them. Quotation
from Neander. Cyprian consoling his flock. Drawing
near to the dead in love. Heavenly attractions
tract.

St. Ambrose.

an ex

Venerable and anointed ideas.... 159

CHAPTER IX.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION AMONG THEOLO. GIANS.

The value of this kind of testimony. No new or strange idea. Its catholicity. A clear and fresh stream among fragments....

SECTION I.-ARGUMENTATIVE EXTRACTS.

Dr. Martin Luther. Melancthon. Cruciger. Olevianus.
Scaliger. Calvin. Thomas Bacon. Arch. Win. Paley.
Rev. Charles Drelincourt. Rev. Dr. Edwards. Rev. Dr.
George Christian Knapp. Rev. John Dick, D. D. Rev.
Bp. George Burgess. Rev. William Jay. Rev. J. W. Nevin,
D. D......

170

172

SECTION II.-ALLUSIONS TO THIS IDEA, TAKING IT FOR GRANTED.
Rev. Dr. John Tillotston. Rev. Richard Baxter. Bishop
Hall. Dr. Doddridge. Melvill. Rev. Dr. J. F. Berg... 183

SECTION III.-CONSOLATORY EXTRACTS.

Ulrich Zwinglius. Bunyan. Rev. William Dodd, D.D.
George Herbert. Dr. P. Doddridge. Lavel. Dr. Thomas
Chalmers. Rev. John Newton. Fenelon.
James, D. D. Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D.
Schmucker, D. D.

Rev. John

Rev. S. S.

187

CHAPTER X.

THE HEAVENLY RECOGNITION AMONG THE POETS.

Orpheus. The power of music and poetry. A still sweeter

charmer. The true end of poetry.

195

SECTION I.-ARGUMENTATIVE POETRY.

Recognition in Heaven. Heavenly Recognition. The Drawings of the Dead. The Indian Mother. Love. Knowledge of each other in Heaven. Not lost, but gone before 197

SECTION II.-INCIDENTAL ALLUSIONS.

How easily the heart slides into this idea. How extensively it is taken for granted. Something for mothers alone. The dead will receive us into heaven. The strongest desire of bereaved hearts. The love of sisters. Proverbial poetry. The heavenly meeting. A secret which all cannot possess. An increasing treasure. A treasure removed, but not lost. A Mother's Lament. Departed friends. Visions by starlight. Heber's portrait. A mother's picture in the parlor. The Dying Child....

203

SECTION III.-CONSOLATORY POETRY.

Sorrow with hope.

The vein which poets follow. The idea on which they end.
Leaving ninety and nine, and seeking one that is lost.
Sorrow makes us dull. The poet a confidential friend.
They speak in us. Reunion above. Rev. Charles Wesley.
The babe that only sleeps. A thought
for an unconverted person. My Boy. Not lost, but gone
before. Treasures in the arms of Christ. Dreams of
Heaven. The Burial of an Emigrant's Child. Weep not
for her. Something for social singing circles.
above. A beautiful vision through a tear.
hand that wounds you. Unwritten poetry.
Judson-a “green islet" in the ocean, and a grave on it.
A ray in deep darkness.

Reunion

Kiss the

Sarah B.

212