A DREAM OF THE FUTURE STATE.
Fell fast asleep, and fancy fled away from mortal care.
But, somehow, I mistook my way, and press'd with all my might
Many a lonely league astray, towards everlasting night:
Unconscious of my great mistake, till I was almost there;
And saw the most tremendous lake of horror and despair.
Amaz'd, I stood to take a view, and saw before my eyes,
A number of the hellish crew, out of the deep arise.
But one description on record was absent from the place;
And that was, those who fear'd the Lord, and follow'd righteousness;
And idiots and the infant race, of these I did not see
A single instance, I confess, in all the company.
But crowds of every other sort, expos'd to public view,
Became the miserable sport of satan and his crew.
Yet, what astonished me the most, I saw in nameless woe
A frightful, agitated ghost, whom I had us'd to know.
Neighbour," methought I cried aloud, "how came you to this place ?"
"Because I sinn'd, and was too proud to stoop to Jesus' grace.
Oh! had I taken your advice, or rather that of God,
I now had been in Paradise among the wise and good.
But here I am constrain'd to dwell, in everlasting chains;
Among tormenting fiends of hell, to suffer endless pains.
Oh! tell my neighbours where you've been, when back again you go,
And tell, oh tell them, that you've seen my soul in endless woe.
That they the gospel must embrace, and from destruction flee;
Lest they come to this horrid place, and dwell along with me.
Oh! if I could have but a drop to cool my parched tongue!
Or entertain a distant hope, though distant e'er so long!
But hope and water here are none, to all eternity:
The day of grace is gone! is gone! for ever gone from me!"
And then he sank into the flood, with such a dreadful roar,
As made me tremble where I stood, but him I saw no more.
With eager haste I turn'd away from such a frightful place;
And flew to find the realms of day where dwell the men of grace;
Most wonderfully pleas'd to think I was not yet in hell
Though I had been so near the brink to see, and hear, and tell.
At length my fleeting spirit found the saint's abode divine,
And saw my friend with glory crown'd in heavenly beauty shine,
The sight of him my spirit cheer'd, and fill'd my heart with joy:
And he by every sign appear'd to be as pleased as I.
This gave me courage to inquire what pleasures they enjoy'd?
Anticipating my desire, he courteously replied,—
You cannot comprehend our bliss, by narrative from me;
An angel's tongue cannot express the saints felicity.
But were it possible to show how we in glory live;
You must be glorified to know the pleasures we receive.
The three perfections here unite, of knowledge, love, and joy;
Which make our pleasures exquisite, without the least alloy.
A DREAM OF THE FUTURE STATE.
Our city is compass'd about with walls of adamant;
Which keep all enemies without, and all alarm prevent.
No swearers, liars, thieves, unclean, can have admittance here;
Nor hypocrites with saintish mien, within these walls appcar.
No spectacle of sin, or woe, or folly, in the place;
But all is one eternal flow of peace and righteousness.
No persecution for our faith, imprisonment or fines;
No tribulation as on earth to baffle our designs.
Hunger and thirst we feel no more, nor noontide's scorching ray;
For when we reach'd this peaceful shore, God wip'd our tears away.
On every day we've joy divine; we live, and love, and sing;
While floods of glory on us shine, and make eternal spring;
We flourish in immortal bloom, without the least decay:
No chilling shade nor dreary gloom, darkens our endless day.
The fine sensations which we feel you cannot comprehend;
'Tis not in language to reveal, what highest thoughts transcend.
But I will introduce you there, and you shall hear and see,
What happiness celestials share, and what's prepar'd for thee.
Away we both together flew, as cheerful as the day;
Uncumber'd with a tenement of heavy mortal clay.
We quickly to the palace came, the residence divine;
Where glories meet of every name, and in perfection join.
There I beheld; Oh, pleasing sight! the innumerable crowd,
Whose garments of celestial white were wash'd in Jesus' blood.
Struck with surprise, I stop'd to view a company so grand;
When lo! a charming angel flew, and took me by the hand;
Wondering I cried, "and art thou here, dear consort of my youth?"
"I am! and see thy mother there; adorn'd with grace and truth!"
They stood before my wondering eyes, with smiles on every face,
And welcom'd me to all the joys of that celestial place.
But she who bore me in her womb and nurs'd me on her knee,
With rapturous pleasure saw me come to that felicity.
She clasp'd me in her arms with joy, and held me to her breast;
And in a voice of ecstasy, her happiness exprest.
"My Father gave me children three, and two have long been here, But threescore years I've waited to see Samuel appear.
Now, bless the Lord, they all are come, and make my bliss complete;
All saved, all happy, all at home, where all enjoyments meet.
Go pay thy homage to the King, and thank him for his grace!
Bear him, bright seraphs, on your wings; ye know the way and
place!"
Away they bore me through a crowd, in white apparel clad;
Who sweetly sang, and play'd aloud, in full Salvation glad.
There I beheld the wondrous things describ'd in Holy Writ;
The Elders, Angels, Eyes, and Wings-the glories infinite.
But what attracted me the most was my Redeemer's face;
He shone above the heavenly host, with a peculiar grace.
No scoffs nor jeers did he sustain, nor crown of piercing thorn:
A DREAM OF THE FUTURE STATE.
No wagging heads in proud disdain, were laughing him to scorn. But angels in their bright array, in humble posture stood; Ready and eager to obey the pleasure of their God.
Methought he call'd me to his throne; but as I ventur'd near,
My heart sank in me like a stone, such Majesty was there!
But he in accents mild and sweet, most kindly said to me,
"I'm Jesus-stand upon thy feet-Jesus-who died for thee."
Delightful words! most charming sounds! my terror fled away;
I saw my Lord with glory crown'd, without the least dismay.
O'ercome with joy, and fill'd with love, I rose, and leap'd, and sung,
Oh how did my affections move, how joyful was my tongue!
"What shall I render to my Lord!" cried my exulting soul;
"Speak, blessed Saviour! speak the word! I'll fly from pole to
pole."
He answered with a gracious smile, "Go to thy native place,
And tarry there a little while, to recommend my grace.
I'll give them still another call, that they may hear and live:
Freely thou hast received all; do thou as freely give.
I will thy services reward, nor will I long delay;
A kingdom is for thee prepar'd, which fadeth not away.
Soon shall thy happy soul enjoy, all that thine eyes behold:
Go to thy native country, go, and there my grace unfold."
Anxious to go, with swiftest speed, his Gospel to proclaim,
I started in my peaceful bed, and wak'd to earth again.
But I've a message to proclaim; and who's the message to?
A message in Immanuel's name, a solemn charge to you.
The King commands me to declare, around my native place,
His disposition still to spare, and save the human race.
He gives you now another call, that you may hear and live:
Here's free Salvation for you all, who now his grace receive.
Your carnal mindedness deny, the benefit embrace;
And you the blessings shall enjoy, of his abundant grace.
Here Saul of Tarsus found relief, had all his sins forgiven;
That man of criminals the chief, is now a saint in heaven.
And you the same delights shall share, if you will but obey:
Reject the message if you dare, for there's a Judgment Day.
The word is, "yet a little while," then take especial care,
Lest satan should your soul beguile, and you his kingdom share.
Eternity is just at hand; your glass will soon be run:
You've not a minute to command, till you can stop the sun.
Then let the present minute see you cleave unto the Lord;
And soon a blest eternity will be your sure reward.
As I must soon be called away from this terrestrial clod,
Give me the privilege to say, before the throne of God,
That you the great Redeemer love, and triumph in his grace;
That you aspire to things above, and press with steady pace;
That you are fighting for a crown, 'gainst satan, flesh, and sin,
ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.
And gaining Jesus' cause renown, by victories which you win.
Or if I must not tell him this, must I be forc'd to say,
That you reject eternal bliss, for trifles of a day?
That you the work and wages love, of that infernal foe,
Who takes neglecters in a drove, to everlasting woe?
Or shall I tell him that you mean to join his little flock;
And come for pardon for your sin, though past eleven o'clock ?
Or must I tell him you're asleep, and pass your time away;
Regardless whether goat or sheep, nor think of Judgment Day?
"A little while"-remember that; you must not tarry here;
The Judgment Seat you'll soon be at, and take your trial there.
If you receive the royal grace, and to the Saviour come,
Glory will be your dwelling-place, and Paradise your home.
But if you harden still your heart, and grace divine repel,
Your final sentence is "depart! your residence is hell!"
Anecdotes, Selections, and Gems.
THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD.-A rich landed proprietor in France, and one of his tenants, who was in poor circumstances, were visited, on a certain occasion, by a colporteur, and were both supplied by him with a copy of the sacred volume, and each has been richly blessed by the use which he has made of it. The love of money was the reigning passion of the landlord. Inexorable to the appeals of his tenants, when they were in arrear for their rents, he did not scruple to treat them with the utmost rigour of the law, and even to go such lengths as to deprive them of every chance of gaining a livelihood. The tenant, on his part, was a man not over scrupulous in fulfilling his engagements, so that it may be anticipated that both lived in a state of perpetual warfare, hating each other and only seeking to annoy one another. It was the reading of the scriptures alone that led them to act differently towards each other. The circumstances of the country fell very heavily upon the poor tenant; and being unable to dispose of the produce of his farm at a remunerating price, he found himself, when his rent became due, with just one-half of what he owed in his possession. Instead, however, of considering, as he formerly did, that if he parted with the little that he had there would be nothing left for him to live upon, he repaired at once to his landlord for the purpose of depositing with him all the money that he possessed, and of offering him security for the remainder of what was owing. "God has taught me by his word," said he to the landlord, "that it is our duty to do unto others as we wish them to do unto us, and accordingly, if I am indebted to any one, it is my duty to pay him to the utmost of my ability. It is justice, and he that acts according to this rule is blessed of the Lord." The poor tenant, who expected nothing else than the rudest treatment, as on former
ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.
occasions, was perfectly astonished when he heard his landlord address him to the following effect:-"If God has taught you, by His word, to fulfil your engagements, He has taught me also, through the same medium, to put in practice the commandment which you have just now quoted. I am acquainted with your situation, and therefore beg you will take back your money; for I have also read in that same holy book, which you are so fortunate to possess as well as myself, 'Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"" After this reciprocal declaration of the new sentiments they had imbibed, these two men, formerly so directly opposed to each other, conversed together on their mutual experience of the blessedness of serving the Lord according to the teaching of His holy word. The fact here related appears to me to be particularly interesting, as tending again to prove that the reading of the Bible alone, without hunan interference, is able to produce the happiest effects on those who receive it, even when, after the departure of our colporteurs, they have remained without any further teaching.
RELIGION is such an habitual regard to the one, true, living, and eternal God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of all, as influences us to seek His favour, to do His will, and to aim at His glory; in the temper of our hearts, and the regulation of our actions, both in the worship which we render to Him, and the duties which we perform to man, for his sake, and according to His will; and we must be constrained to allow that this (which the word of God recommends, and by His grace produces) is most reasonable and excellent." SCOTT.
POST OFFICE FACTS.-Among the letters "listed" on Wednesday, at the General Post Office, and exhibited in the portico of the establishment in St. Martin's-le-Grand, as "not known in London," is one thus addressed, "Miss Eliot, sister of his lordship the minister, London." The letter was sent to the English office from Paris. Not long since a letter was received at the General Post Office, simply directed "To my father in London!" It is a very curious fact, that not less than fifty letters are received daily with equally imperfect addresses; hundreds are incompletely directed, and have to be written upon by the "blind" officer before they can be forwarded. At a low average, not less than one hundred letters per day are sent to the post-office unsealed, and this neglect being noticed by the sorter, the letters are given to the presiding officer on duty, who seals them with the official stamp, and writes upon them "Found open in this office."
MARRIED PAUPERS-The number of married couples above sixty years of age, who are inmates of the various workhouses in England and Wales, is only 574.
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