Heaven

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

POPULAR NOTIONS OF HEAVEN.

Vague, and adopted heedlessly; presumptuous, and opposed to good

sense; regarding heaven mainly as a place, to which death is

supposed to give all who are saved immediate admission and

equal enjoyment. These notions assume that every man is a

competent judge of what is to be looked for in heaven, and what

preparation, if any, requires to be made. The true point of

observation not recognized. The true idea of heaven lost. Sev-

eral illustrations of common anticipations of heaven. 13-31

CHAPTER II.

RATIONAL INQUIRIES ABOUT HEAVEN.

Rational to begin with an analysis of the present life; to seek in it
the elements of the future life. Whether the elements of happi-
ness now in possession do not contain in themselves warrant for

the belief that they will survive death.

Much observation and

reflection indispensable. God's own estimate of creation. Infer

that man has a deep interest in it.

32-39

CHAPTER III.

CREATION OBJECTIVE.

Answer to rational inquiries about heaven first of all to be sought

in the works of God now offered to our observation. What God

has done for man objectively: 1. Order; 2. Successive develop-

ment; 3. Inexhaustible supply of materials; 4. Creation full of

beauty, elegance, and grace; 5. Genial kindness pervading all.

Conclusions: 1. That it pleased God to make interesting objects;

2. That he made them to offer them to intelligent minds; 3. That

he intended to please and profit man; 4. That these intentions

are a part of, and harmonize with, God's unchangeable character-

istics; 5. That heaven will be objective and worthy of God.

As far as heaven is to be thought of as a place, so far we are to

be guided by what we at present know of place..

40-59

CHAPTER IV.

CREATION SUBJECTIVE.

What God has done for man subjectively, in his powers, capacities,
and susceptibilities: 1. Perceptive; 2. Reflective; 3. Imaginative;

4. Endowed with genius; 5. With power to communicate; 6. Ac-

countable; 7. With sensibility to others; 8. Suffering; 9. Rev-

erencing and adoring. As far as heaven is to be thought of

as a state, so far we are to be guided by what we at present

experience of a state. .

60-117

CHAPTER V.

THE BIBLE.

The only source for any direct statement. Christ begins with the

subjective elements of heaven. Spiritual axioms fundamental.

Our disabilities to be acknowledged. The Bible deals with

heaven mostly as a state..

118-126

CHAPTER VI.

HEAVEN AS A STATE.

A life superior to locality. A state of high intelligence; of harmony
with our surroundings; of peace in our own souls; of entire benev-
olence; of loving and of being loved; of perfect purity; of unlim-
ited scope for the desire to make others happy. The state of fully

realizing and of entirely delighting in God, his attributes and

resources. The state of perfect coincidence and coöperation

with him.

127-165

CHAPTER VII.

JESUS CHRIST OBJECTIVE.

Man's receptivity finds its complement in Christ. The felicity of
heaven in knowing the Father and Christ: 1. The Father pre-
sents Christ to our supreme love; 2. The mystery of Christ's
nature no bar to our complacency in him; 3. Our comprehen-
sion of the mode of the Divine nature not to be expected. We
know too little of Christ. The natural man cannot know him.
Regeneration and high cultivation both requisite to high happi-
ness. God seeks both. Man's present joy in the appreciation of
a superior character. Illustrations. What the Bible says of
Christ. Every experience in life leads to Christ.