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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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THE TTEAVEN AND HELL OF SriRITUALISM CONTRASTED 143upon <strong>the</strong> liigh authority <strong>of</strong> Dr. Chalmers, could never have had sufficientcurrency to merit notice.It may bo assumed th:»t no Cliristians can conceive<strong>the</strong>mselves to be better entitled to <strong>the</strong> joys <strong>of</strong> heaven than <strong>the</strong>twelve apostles <strong>of</strong> Christ. In order to show how far any expectations <strong>of</strong>a bliss higher than that afforded by Spiritualism could have been entertainedby those disciples consistently with Scripture, I deem it in point torefer <strong>the</strong> language held to <strong>the</strong>m by <strong>the</strong>ir Divine Master.I subjoin a fewlines from Dr. Ilarbaugh, wherein he quotes <strong>the</strong> query put to that Master,by <strong>the</strong> twelve, and <strong>the</strong> consequent reply. Nothing can be far<strong>the</strong>r frommy idea <strong>of</strong> a happy state than <strong>the</strong> benefaction promised to <strong>the</strong>m. Thequery and reply are subjoined, in order to enable <strong>the</strong> reader to judge <strong>of</strong>both: BcIlvM, ice have left all and followed tJice: luJiat shall ice have<strong>the</strong>refor ? The Saviour answered <strong>the</strong> above query when made by Peter,as follows : V^lieii <strong>the</strong> Son <strong>of</strong> Man shall sit upon <strong>the</strong> throne <strong>of</strong> his glory,ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging <strong>the</strong> twelve tribes <strong>of</strong> Israel.Here is a direct answer by Christ to an inquiry respecting <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> reward which his disciples were to have for <strong>the</strong>ir merits as his faithfuldevotees. They are to be made severally worldly dignitaries ; each is tosit on a throne, judging a tribe <strong>of</strong> Israel. That is, <strong>the</strong>y are to haveworldly pre-eminence, accompanied, <strong>of</strong> course, by all <strong>the</strong> vexations attendanton such stations, as well as <strong>the</strong> uncertainty and limitation arising fromliability to death and disease. How weak and worldly-minded must hisdisciples have been, could such a prospect be alluring to <strong>the</strong>m !I ask forany sectarian to say in candour, whe<strong>the</strong>r a governorship over one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>wealthiest States, <strong>the</strong> presidency, or any sovereignty in Christendom,would be deemed a heaven in comparison with that eternity <strong>of</strong> ineffablehappiness enjoyed by <strong>the</strong> immortal <strong>spirit</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> higher spheres? YetMr. Ilarbaugh, with <strong>the</strong> simplicity <strong>of</strong> blind faith,quotes this without perceivinghow meagre is <strong>the</strong> gospel evidence thus afforded <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> joysawaiting <strong>the</strong> faithful as a reward for <strong>the</strong>ir good conduct in this life.744. The following remarks, made by Mr, Ilarbaugh, demonstrate howj)artial sectarians are in reading Scripture :'^^Yhat shall tee have <strong>the</strong>refor?This is a question that frequently arises in <strong>the</strong> Christian's mind, as heendeavours to cheer his <strong>of</strong>ttimes drooping <strong>spirit</strong>s with a look toward <strong>the</strong>recompense <strong>of</strong> reward. What shall we have? We have left all for <strong>the</strong>e,and hy following <strong>the</strong>e we have confessed that we are pilgrims and, strangersupon earth. In this world v:c shall have tribulation ; but thou didst overcome<strong>the</strong> icorld ; what shall those have who overcame with <strong>the</strong>e?" Ilarbaughremarks : ^'Ilere <strong>the</strong>n is curiosity which <strong>the</strong> Saviour himself opproves,because he satisfies it. The same p>ious curiosity still manifestsitself in <strong>the</strong> minds <strong>of</strong> God's people in <strong>the</strong>ir holiest hours, and shall <strong>the</strong>rebe nothing revealed, to satisfy <strong>the</strong>m ? Yes, God loill ajyprove <strong>of</strong> such inquiries,and will grant <strong>the</strong> infiuence <strong>of</strong> that Spirit, who leads unto alltruth to all those who search <strong>the</strong> Scripture for an answer." Drawing an

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