Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

or when we are anticipating the solemnity of that great and most astonishing event, we place no dependance on our distinctive peculiarities; nor do we think of even adverting to them, except to express our regret, on account of the evil effects which they may have produced. At that period in the history of our being, the mind will be too deeply absorbed in the contemplation of its specific character and condition; will be too solemnly affected by the anticipation of its final destiny; and will feel too deeply abased, under a consciousness of its utter unworthiness of the divine favour, to dwell, even for a moment, on any other subject, than its redemption from all evil, and from all misery, by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. In comparison with this, every other subject, that has ever engrossed our attention, or interested our feelings, will vanish away, as things of naught; and after having, by one strong mental effort, disengaged ourselves from all association with the minor questions, which now agitate, and divide, and dishonour us, we shall be free to enter the joy of our Lord, as sinners redeemed by his blood, rather than as saints belonging to one denomination of Christians or another. Hence, if you go and visit a pious member of our establishment, when he is on the eve of leaving this scene of mortality, for the invisible world; or a pious member of any denomination of dissenters, you will find, that they breathe the same spirit, avow the same belief, derive consolation from the same source, and expire, giving utterance to the same joyful anticipations of mingling their grateful feelings together, in the same heavenly temple, where they hope to serve the Lord day and night, without having their harmony disturbed by one single discordant note.",

Mr. Llewellin. "And as we shall mingle together in heaven, I presume, Sir, we shall know each other there. Some pious Christians entertain doubts on this subject, but as it is one which has such a tendency to reconcile our minds to the departure of our friends, I cannot avoid cherishing it, with fond attachment.”

Mr. Ingleby. "Yes, Sir, some good people have their doubts on the subject, but I wonder how they can entertain them. If such an idea received no support from the testimony of the scriptures, yet it is so congenial with the dictates of enlightened reason, and the

warm attachments of pure friendship, that I am at a loss to conceive how any one can reject it.

'Deep, deep the love we bear unto the dead!
Th' adoring reverence that we humbly pay,
To one who is a spirit, still partakes
Of that affectionate tenderness, we own'd
Towards a being once, perhaps, as frail
And human as ourselves;'

And what is it that moderates the violence of those pangs which death occasions; and instinctively inclines. us to anticipate, with some high degree of pleasure, the period of our own departure, but a hope that we shall again mingle our sympathies and affections; and in each other's society, partake of the refined enjoyment of a more intimate, and more permanent friendship? And this idea, which is so gratifying to our feelings, is supported by the current language of the New Testament.

The Apostle, when writing to the Colossians, says, That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. By which, says Dr. Paley, I understand St. Paul to express his hope and prayer, that at the general judgment of the world, he might present the fruits of his ministry, perfect in every good work; and if this be rightly interpreted, then it affords a manifest and necessary inference, that the saints in a future life, will meet and be known again to one another; for how, without knowing again his converts in their new and glorified state, could St. Paul desire, or expect to present them at the last day? The celebrated Baxter, says, and I think there is much force in the statement, 'I must confess as the experience of my own soul, that the expectation of loving my friends in heaven, principally kindles my love to them on earth. If I thought I should never know them, and consequently never love them after this life is ended, I should in reason, number them with temporal things, and love them as such; but I now delightfully converse with my pious friends, in a firm persuasion that I shall converse with them for ever; and I take comfort in those of them that are dead, or absent, as believing I shall shortly meet them in heaven, and love them with a heavenly love, that shall there be perfected.""

Printed by MILNE and BANFIELD, 76, Fleet street.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic]

"We left the Villa at three o'clock, and reached the turnpike gate about a quarter of an hour before the mail came up. There was one outside passenger, and two inside, and having bidden adieu to our mutual friend Mr. Stevens, who had accompanied us thus far, we stept in, heard the well known signal from the guard, all's right; and felt ourselves moving towards the imperial city." Page 2.

London:

PRINTED FOR FRANCIS WESTLEY, 10, STATIONERS'COURT, AND AVE-MARIA LANE.

THE STAGE COACH.

"How often will one passenger mar the social fellowship of the rest, as we have known the harmony of the sweetest song broken by a single discord." Anon.

My visit to the Villa had far exceeded the time I had originally intended to spend there; and though its local and social attractions still retained their captivating influence over me, yet I readily accepted an invitation from my esteemed friend, Mr. Llewellen, to accompany him to London; where a new scene would open upon me. In sauntering through the woods and groves, and lanes and villages, which I had often frequented in my solitary walks, a morbid melancholy crept over me at the thought of parting, for though I anticipated some pleasure, from the prospect before me, yet not that "calm sunshine, nor heart-felt joy," which I had experienced in these retreats from the busy world. On reaching an eminence, where I had an entire command of the whole country, the lines of Cowper recurred to my recollection; nor could I withhold the tributary tear of regret, as I descended from the enchanting spot.

"Scenes must be beautiful, which daily viewed,
Please daily, and whose novelty survives

Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years."

We left the Villa at three o'clock, and reached the turnpike gate, about a quarter of an hour before the mail came up. There was one outside passenger, and two inside, and having bidden adieu to our mutual friend Mr. Stevens, who had accompanied us thus far, we stept in, heard the well known signal from the guard, all's right; and felt ourselves moving towards the imperial city. Though I have not devoted so much time to the study of physiognomy, as the celebrated Lavater; and have often on a more intimate acquaintance with another, been compelled to revise the opinion which I had formed at first sight; yet on this occasion, as on most others, I began to examine the features, and the forms, and the manners of the two strangers who sat opposite me. The one, was a

Friend who had long since passed the meridian of life, still retaining the neat costume of his order, with a fine roman nose, keen blue eyes, rather deeply set; and a countcnance, whose expression of intelligence and benignity,

strongly prepossessed me in his favour. But had his general appearance been less attractive, I should have felt a profound respect; as I once had a mother who spoke the plain language, and taught me to speak it in my younger days; and though in riper years, I left the denomination of my youth, yet I still revere that interesting society of professing Christians.

The other was a lusty gentleman, about the age of fifty, but there was no feature in his face, which gave me pleasure.

We rode on in silence, till we came to D- -s, were we changed horses; and while we were waiting for the guard, who was detained at the post office, we amused ourselves in looking at a group of boys who were playing at trap ball, in the market place. The gentleman, (whom I shall call Mr. Sykes) said, pointing to the boys, "There is perfect happiness." As no one offered to make any reply to this sage remark: Mr. Llewellen observed, "Perhaps Sir, their happiness is not perfect. In the midst of their gambols, and while feeling elated with the high honour of winning the game, the sudden recollection of a lesson yet unlearnt, that must be said to-morrow, may perchance give them a pang." This very natural remark, expressed in the most good natured manner, gave offence; and gathering himself up into that attitude of defiance, which appeared most natural to him, he said, “And pray, Sir, do you not suppose that the happiness of childhood is the most perfect happiness which mortals enjoy?" "It ought not to be, Sir," said Mr. Llewellen in a very modest tone. Ought not to be, Sir!" Mr. Sykes replied, with some degree of sarcastic warmth; "Then Sir, how must you have spent those days of innocent mirth, not to be able to look back on them with envy ?" This sarcastic throw, roused up the spirit of my friend, who though mild, was not disposed to be run down by insolence unprovoked; and he said in a tone, somewhat elevated, “Then I presume Sir, you look back to the days of your childhood, and sigh over joys departed, never to return; but you will permit me to ask, how have you spent the years of manhood, not to be yet in possession of more noble, of more refined, of more exalted felicity, than you partook of when you were flying a kite, or spinning a top? If

66

« AnteriorContinua »