men. life below was devoted. Still are they present to his remembrance, still cherished in his regard. The welcome of the Master has thrilled his spirit, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord;'' and methinks the response has been, Lord, help thou thine own cause on the earth whence thou hast received me into thy joy.' For that cause he still intercedes. Amidst the glories of heaven it is the burden of his supplication. For that cause his influence still abides among He pleads with us on its behalf through thoughts that can never perish out of the world's storehouse of truth, and sentiments that can never die out of human hearts. He calls us to serve the Master whom he served, and to follow Christ in the regeneration of the world. He calls us to renounce all low pursuits, and consecrate ourselves to justice and humanity and religion. His voice floats upon the echoes of his past instruction; it comes from the skies where he now dwells. Honored and sainted spirit! we hear thy call. It shall not be heard in vain. Thou shalt draw us from the vanities of sense, and the follies of sin. Thou shalt lead us onward till we meet thee in the abodes of immortal life. We will not say farewell, for still do we inhabit the same universe filled with the Father's love. We will not say farewell, for we are still united by those bonds of faith and sympathy which are the same in heaven as on earth. Teacher and friend of our souls! we wait in hope, till the celestial glories in which thou art rejoicing shall burst upon our disembodied vision, and we behold thee clothed with light among those who surround the throne. |