HERE is presented to our natural vision no difference so great and striking as that between the heavens and the earth. The little child, even, who sports upon the green and culls the familiar flowers of early spring, gazes with mysterious awe into that azure expanse so bright and pure, filled with the dazzling splendors of the sun or darkening with the approaching tempest. The thoughtless youth, reveling amidst the well-known scenes and pleasures of life, grows serious for a moment when he surveys the unmeasured space where worlds unnumbered roll and shed their distant light. How bold and clear the line which marks the boundary of [90] earth! How dense the mists that can obscure it! How dusky and opaque those ragged mountains which seem to serve as the abutments of the heavenly arch of azure light! How different in materials, how opposite in character, how unlike in every feature the earth beneath us from the heavens above! However great the differences of earth's varied scenes around us--of field and forest, of hill and valley, of land and water--their boundaries are dim and indistinct compared with that so deeply and abruptly marked by the dark line of the horizon.

      But Nature not only distinguishes with striking clearness the things of earth from those of heaven, but teaches us by experience, also, that other precious lesson, that "every good and perfect gift cometh from above." From thence flow light and life with all their joys. Innumerable and mysterious influences thence irradiate the earth, and grateful showers descend to bless the fruitful plains; and thither, too, all beauteous objects tend. Each tree, and shrub, and flower lifts itself aloft from the dark clods of earth towards the bright and glorious sky, as though [91] it desired to approach the unwasting fountain whence it derives its being and its beauty.

      In all these respects, as well as in others, "Nature is Christian--preaches to mankind," and seems to emulate in clearness the teachings of that divine word, which distinguishes the world and the things of the world from the spiritual heavens and the things that are of God, and which counsels us to "seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God," and to place our affections upon these.

      Surely, it is impossible to confound the glorious realities of true religion with the fleeting vanities of life! How plain the landmarks! How broad the distinctions! How evident the line which separates them! How unlike the one to the other in all that gives character and identity! Darkened, indeed, by the mists of error must be the vision which is unable to descry the spiritual horizon, or to distinguish the bright and beautiful realms of life and glory from the dark and dreary abodes of death and shame! [92]

      But, oh! how important that in distinguishing we should place our affections upon the things that are above! If the fair living forms of perishable matter that spring from the earth beneath may rise up to meet and enjoy the solar rays that vivify them, how should not they who have "tasted that the Lord is gracious" be lifted up above the world, and approach nearer and nearer to that "Sun of Righteousness" whose beams impart unfading beauty and eternal life! How should not we seek the things that are above, where Christ sitteth, in whom our life is hid, from whom our life proceeds, with whom are all our hopes, our treasures, and our joys!

      And how shall we thitherward direct our love? How shall we disengage ourselves from our attachments to the world? Not by willing it, not by desiring it. We love not at our own pleasure, we acquire not by a wish. If the light of the glorious gospel of Christ hath shone upon us; if its heavenly influences have revived us; if we have arisen from the dust of error's death, and our hearts have been opened to receive the holy impressions of divine truth, then shall we be [93] drawn by irresistible attractions, and strengthened more and more by added grace to ascend above the world and to approach the bright source of being and of blessedness. It is by dwelling upon the glorious image of our Redeemer; by maintaining inviolate our relations with that "Eternal Life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us;" by cherishing that divine communion by which our souls are nourished, that we shall be filled with light, and life, and love, and become participants of that glory upon which we gaze, heirs of that life by which we live, and indwellers in that love through which we love.

      And it is now, when we are thus assembled to commemorate what Christ has suffered for us, that we realize the most intimate relations of the spiritual life. It is when he is thus set forth crucified before us, that he should command our homage and our affections. It is when he is thus "lifted up" upon the cross, that he should "draw" all hearts to himself. Here, then, shall we dwell upon his love; here consider that life whose loss we celebrate; here rest in that sacrifice which reunites us to the divine fellowship and opens to us [94] the fountains of celestial joy. Happy they who are permitted thus to approach to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as he appears in his holy temple, and to dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Who can behold without loving him! Who can love him without joy! We set our affections upon things above when we place them upon Jesus. These are where he sits at the right hand of God. He is "our Life." "Our life is hid with him in God." He is our Hope--"the hope of glory"--our "unsearchable riches" and our everlasting bliss. In him alone "wealth, honors, pleasures meet." With him is the "hidden manna," "the white robes of saints," the "palm" of victory, the "morning star" of praise. With him is "power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." In him all things are our own--whether past, present, or to come--the world, apostles, prophets, imprisoned death, emancipated life--since we are his and he is God's. Holy and happy are they who in his blood have washed their robes! They shall be "before the throne of God and serve him day and night in [95] his temple, and he that sits upon the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." [96]

[CITS 90-96]