Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
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training-ground, an apprenticeship, and the perfected life and
work will be experienced beyond the veil.
This glorious hope is a strong incentive to right thinking
and conduct. It gives true estimates of the position we occupy
in the universe; it imparts a strong sense of duty, and leads
men to make the necessary preparation for the larger life, lest
neglect be found irretrievable, to be followed by endless consequences.
" 'Tis life whereof our nerves are scant;
O life, not death, for which we pant;
More life, and fuller, that we want."
277. But what is the proof of immortality? Not the analogies
of nature, the resurrection of nature from a winter grave, or
the emancipation of the butterfly. Not even the testimony to
the fact of risen dead; for who does not know how shadowy
and unsubstantial these intellectual proofs become in unspiritual
frames of mind? No, the life of the spirit is the evidence.
Heaven begun is the living proof that makes the heaven to come
credible. "Christ in you [is] the hope of glory." It is the eagle
eye of faith which penetrates the grave, and sees far into the
tranquil things of death. He alone can believe in immortality
who feels the resurrection in him already. F. W . Robertson.
278. "I once heard a preacher trying to teach young children
that the soul would live after they were all dead. They listened,
but did not understand what he was saying. But at last, taking
his watch from his pocket, he said : 'James, what is this I am
holding in my hand?' 'A watch, sir.' 'Do you all see it?
'Yes, sir.' 'How do you know it is a watch?' 'It ticks, sir.
'Very well; can any of you hear it tick? All listen, now.
After a pause : 'Yes, sir ; we hear it.' He then took off the case
and held the case in one hand and the watch in the other. 'Now
children, which is the watch? You see there are two which
look like watches.' 'The little one in your right hand, sir
'Very well again; now I will lay the case aside, and put it
away down there in my hat. Now let us see if you can hear
the watch tick.' 'Yes, sir, we hear it,' exclaimed several voices.
'Well, the watch can tick, and go, and keep time, you see, when
the case is taken off and put in my hat. The watch goes just
as well. So it is with you, children. Your body is nothing but
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