The Spirit of G.o.d As Fire.

by D. Mortimore.

PREFACE.

In presenting this volume to the "intelligence of the world," the author is fully aware of the incredulity with which it may meet in many literary minds. Nevertheless, the truths which it contains will remain unmarred by the salient attacks of "critics," when they have pa.s.sed away and have ceased to be remembered. Thus it has ever been with the discovery of all great and important truths, from the creation of man down to the present day. For more than eighteen hundred years now past, the succession of a once prominent race have disbelieved in the Messiahship of Christ. And even the Christian world are still divided in their belief as to a Trinity in Unity.

Some three hundred years ago, the great and learned philosopher and astronomer, Galileo, made an ascent in the empire of mind and science, and promulgated immutable truths founded upon the laws of creation, emanating from G.o.d himself; yet these were, for a time, disbelieved, and, through the bigotry of a controlling Priesthood, he was even forced to renounce them before a court of "Cardinals" of the Romish Church, sitting as "_inquisitors against heretical depravity_" at the city of Rome; and at the venerable age of seventy years, to accept the sentence to a dungeon for life, in the "Inquisition;" and yet these same truths have universally prevailed. So, also, are there unbelievers to-day, in the existence of a G.o.d, and the immortality of the soul--the truth of which all Christians, and even heathens, believe.

We, therefore, feel that in advancing a new theory, especially one of such magnitude and import, that we shall meet more or less opposition; but we are willing to abide time's inevitable changes, in advancing the mind to grasp and comprehend truths which G.o.d himself has revealed for our contemplation. Still, we believe that there are many millions who are now ready to comprehend and believe, and are only waiting for a little additional light, or the grouping together of facts founded on the revelations of G.o.d, and examined in the light of a true science.

Philosophers and astronomers have advanced the idea of "a plurality of suns, and a plurality of worlds," and have sustained this theory by the most convincing evidence. This lays the foundation for a further advance in the contemplation of the wonderful works of the Creator, and justifies the hypothesis of a _plurality of heavens_; and we think the revelations of G.o.d, and revelations through the science of astronomy, will sustain the additional hypothesis that within what are denominated "suns" there are vast globes or worlds, separate and apart from the surrounding _photosphere of ethereal fire_, and that within what we denominate our sun, _is our heaven_.

We have, therefore, penned the following pages with this impression fixed in our mind, and send this volume forth to encounter the enlightenment of the age, to be sifted and weighed in the _sieve_ and _scale_ of intellect; and, relying on the Word of G.o.d and His revelations to man, we feel satisfied that when the ordeal is past, we shall still have remaining "full measure and weight."

In order to afford a more perfect comprehension of the "wonderful works of G.o.d," and of His revelations to man, we have, necessarily, availed ourselves largely of the results of the science of astronomy, quoting the writings and conclusions of various eminent authors, giving due credit therefor; and to them the author acknowledges his indebtedness for statistical data and facts which could not otherwise be obtained by any single individual. Grouping these together as a.s.sistant lamps, we have relied, mainly, upon the Word of G.o.d, and His revelations, as found recorded in the Bible, and evidences manifest in perceptible and visible nature around us, while we trust that all we have written will the more forcibly impress the mind with deep humility, and with awe and reverence for the Great Jehovah, who created all by the "Word of His power."

We have endeavored to avoid sectarian issues, as to Protestant communities, throughout the world--save our own convictions of immutable truth in regard to the true principles of Christianity, and that salvation is offered alike freely to _all_, and that by due repentance toward G.o.d, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, all may come to the knowledge of His Truth, and "know the Lord, whom to know aright is eternal life." And, believing as we do, that every soul is held alike accountable to G.o.d alone--and in nowise to Pope, Bishops, or Priests--there were historical facts connected with our subject, which, we thought, justified our strictures on the Romish Church, and these it may be well for Protestants to consider.

We, therefore, dedicate this volume to the

PROTESTANT WORLD,

and, while we acknowledge our inability to do the subject ample justice; yet--hoping we have been made the humble instrument, under the direction of Divine Providence, of opening up to the mind a new field for profitable contemplation--we ask for it a candid perusal, in the spirit of prayer and Christian leniency, commending all to a careful consideration of the words of the _Psalmist_:

"By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.

"The Heavens declare the glory of G.o.d, and the firmament sheweth His handy work.

"Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord."

THE AUTHOR.

THE THEME.

The theme we are now about to contemplate is one of deepest interest to the human mind. If we can fathom and unfold the mystery--as we believe we shall--by a.n.a.logy, founded in the light of _reason_, Divine revelations, and the lights afforded us by the science of Astronomy, and give tangibility to the--hitherto--chaos of the mind upon the subject, we may lay the foundation for a more comprehensive and intimate knowledge of G.o.d, the great Creator of all things, and this knowledge should lead to more speedily Christianizing the world.

G.o.d has made himself manifest in everything, and to every individual.

Nature yields to this manifestation, yet does not comprehend it. Even man, the human family--the only creatures of a high order of intelligence placed by Him upon this earth--seem not to have risen to that comprehension of knowledge to which they should attain from his lessons of the Past, as well as those of the Present, and which lessons are renewed unto us day by day.

Our princ.i.p.al theme is that of _the place of our future existence--especially_ HEAVEN.

We approach the subject with fear and trembling, asking wisdom and Divine aid of Him who hath said, "Seek and ye shall find," and of whom it is written, "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of G.o.d, and it shall be given him."

We know that we cannot throw that flood-tide of light upon the subject that the theme demands, yet we may be the humble instrument, under direction of Divine Providence, to mark out a path through the wilderness of doubt, along which may shine, or through which the "eye of faith" may catch, a ray of light from the bright "celestial throne," which may induce others--more able minds and giant intellects--to step forth, wielding mightily "the sword of the spirit," and open out to the mind a plainer path, as the "king's highway," leading up to that celestial world, to glory and to G.o.d.

We believe that if a reasonable, tangible idea of the constant presence of G.o.d with us prevailed, as also of the heavenly world, and the glories that shall be revealed; the nature of the soul of man; from whence derived; the certainty that it must endure forever; the requirements of the law of G.o.d; the certainty of the judgment; who is to be the judge; the certainty that no error can be committed in His judgment; no influences can be brought to bear to defeat the ends of justice; that the righteous shall be adjudged to the enjoyment of happiness and eternal life; the wicked be "banished from the presence of G.o.d, and from the glory of His power," "to dwell in everlasting flame, and languish in eternal fire," and that this righteous judgment will never be revoked, but stand immutable as G.o.d Himself--on and on through all eternity--we say we believe if this could be fully comprehended by finite minds, the time would not be distant "when all _would_ come to a knowledge of the truth, and know the Lord, whom to know aright is eternal life." This knowledge should not be sought through fear alone, but mainly through love to G.o.d, and faith in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and from the delights we feel in our consciousness of the constant presence of G.o.d--by His Spirit--with us; stimulated by love to our fellow-men; love of all Nature around us; love of the wonderful works of the creative power of the Omnipotent--even the vast wonders of His creations throughout His own native Empire.

May we not? Can we not know more of all this? We are not forbidden to investigate, to found reason on His revelations. Nay, He hath said, "search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me."

We do not propose the building of a "Tower" like unto that of _Babel_, for He hath said, "not by _might_, but by my _Spirit_." Therefore, by the manifestations of His Spirit, which becomes sufficiently enlightening, when properly comprehended, we will endeavor to throw a faint--if not a flood-light from that eternal world into the eye of _faith_. And, if we cannot, like the martyr Stephen, "see Heaven opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of G.o.d," or ascend to it with "Elijah in a chariot of flaming fire," we may, by the mind's eye of faith, "see through the vail darkly," yet with sufficient light to direct us, and guide our wandering footsteps in the path that leads to that "bright clime," where the "glory of G.o.d"

is the light of that heavenly world.

Our theme necessarily leads us forth through trackless realms of boundless s.p.a.ce, where, with the mind's eye, we shall behold with wonder and amazement some of the vast creations of the Omnipotent power of G.o.d; such as will inspire the mind, and fill it with awe and reverence for the Great Jehovah. We shall have a panoramic view of millions of Suns--_Heavens_--planets, and worlds, standing out, or careering through ethereal regions; peopling the realms of illimitable s.p.a.ce. We shall comprehend more fully the diminutiveness of this earth; on which we dwell, as compared to the vast creations brought forth by the "Word of His power," and of our own nothingness before Him, while all must inspire us, not only with awe, but with grat.i.tude and love for His merciful provision for our redemption, and for regaining "an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

_THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE._

The Bible--now "The Book of the World"--is G.o.d's own revelation to man. That it was penned by holy men of G.o.d, who wrote as they were inspired, has been fully manifested by the fulfilment of prophecies; many of which were miracles, and others--in their accomplishment--awful and fearful judgments. Hence, none can doubt its authenticity as G.o.d's own revelation to man. It is our only history of the wonderful creations emanating from the Great First Cause; especially the creation of _man_; his mortal, as well as his immortal nature. From this history we learn that

"G.o.d created man in his own image; in the image of G.o.d created he him; male and female created he them. And G.o.d breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Now, man is here spoken of in the plural: hence, the whole race--the entire human family, are included, and this living principle, emanating from G.o.d himself, partakes of his own immortal nature, and can never cease or be extinguished. Therefore, the soul, or spirit of man, must continue to endure through all eternity.

The belief in a future state of existence has obtained in all ages; even in the dark regions of heathen lands, where the light of Christianity has never yet shed its radiance, and where missionaries have never penetrated. The mind of man--the thinking principle of human intelligence--seems to have comprehended this great truth; even where Christianity, founded upon Bible truths, is unknown. Indeed, the idea of the immortality of the soul of man seems _inherent_. For, go where we may, among the aborigines of every heathen clime, even from the Islands of the Bahamas to Hindostan, India, j.a.pan, and China; the savage tribes of South America, the red tribes of our own continent, or even the black races of Africa--all hold the idea of a future state of existence. True, they may not have formed correct opinions as to the nature of the place to which they expect to be transported, nor of the felicities to be enjoyed there; yet all have the idea of a future state, and it has ever prevailed.

If we trace history back to the ancient Egyptians, the Persians, the Scythians, the a.s.syrians, Greeks, and Romans; indeed, with all nations of which history gives us any knowledge, we find that it has ever prevailed. Plato, Socrates, and Demosthenes held the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and of a future state of existence; while such belief almost universally prevails in every land and clime where civilization and Christianity are known. Thus we see it an inherent law of human nature, and, in the minds of all, there is "a longing after _immortality_."

May we not ask, from whence comes this intuition, that all feel that death to the body is not the end of existence? Is it not that immortal spirit-life which G.o.d breathed into our first parents? that _spirit-fire_ which is eternal in its nature? that which can never be quenched nor extinguished?

The Patriarchs, the Prophets, and Seers of old realized that here they had no abiding place, and that they were but pilgrims and strangers on the earth. We are told that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired a better country, and looked forward to a heavenly one. Paul tells us "these all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off." See how Moses submitted to sufferings, and endured privations; yet in all these he "had respect unto the recompense of reward."

How many of those worthy ancients suffered persecutions in various ways for their acts of piety? even cruel mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments. Some were cruelly tortured, others were stoned, and still others sawed asunder; and yet under all these trials, and even scourgings unto death, they held firm in the faith of a living G.o.d, a future existence, and "a sure recompense of reward."

See Job, that faithful servant of the living G.o.d, how his faith was sorely tried by all manner of afflictions. His flocks and herds destroyed; his wealth dissipated; while disease, painful and loathsome, preyed upon him. His sufferings and agonies were so intense that all his friends believed him cursed of G.o.d, and forsook him; and even his wife--who had enjoyed the fruits of his efforts in life, reviled his integrity of faith, and scornfully told him to "curse G.o.d and die."

But let us hear this patient, suffering child of G.o.d:

"_True_, my flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and become loathsome, and I feel as though I would not live alway. Yet all the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change comes, _and even_ though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. I know that I shall be justified. For He shall be my salvation. If a man die he shall live again. And now, behold my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see G.o.d, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold."

Where! oh, where, hath such faith been shown! And his faith being sorely tried and found true and unwavering, his G.o.d came to his relief, restored him to health, and blessed him--even more abundantly than before; after which he lived an hundred and forty years and died in peace.

Here we see, that, long anterior to the coming of Christ, Job declared that he knew his Redeemer was then living, and that in the "latter days" he should "stand on the earth." See this truthful evidence of the Son of G.o.d coming down from heaven to ransom and redeem fallen man!

The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, who should "ransom his people from the power of the grave," and "redeem them from the second death."

The sweet singer of Israel, looking forward to coming ages, through the vista of revelations, breaks forth in rapturous confidence--

"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Though my heart and my flesh fail me, yet Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion forever."