THE SOCIETY OF HEAVEN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 16, 1876

THE SOCIETY OF HEAVEN.

[That profound thinker and deep reasoner, Dr. Thomas Dick, frequently known as “the Christian Philosopher,” very beautifully discourses on the blessedness of the society of Heaven. The idea is a very interesting one, and might be greatly expanded. G. W. A.]

Even in this world, amidst the physical evils which now exist, what a scene of felicity would be produced, were all the illustrious philanthropic characters now living, or who have adorned our race in the ages that are past, to be collected into one society, and to associate exclusively, without annoyance from “the world that lieth in wickedness!”

Let us suppose a vast society composed of such characters as Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Paul, James, and John, the Evangelists, men who accounted it their highest honor to glorify God and to promote the salvation of mankind,—such philanthropists as Howard, Clarkson, Venning, Wilberforce, and Sharp, who displayed the most benignant affections, and spent their mortal existence in unwearied efforts to meliorate the condition of the prisoner, and relieve the distresses of the wretched in every land—to deliver the captive from his oppressors—to unloose the shackles of slavery—to pour light and vital air into the noisome dungeon, and to diffuse blessings among mankind wherever they were found;—such profound philosophers as Locke, Newton, and Boyle, whose capacious intellects seemed to embrace the worlds both of matter and of mind, and who joined to their mental accomplishments, modesty, humility, equanimity of temper, and general benevolence;—such amiable divines as Watts, Doddridge, Wesley, Whitefield, Fletcher, Edwards, Lardner, and Dwight, whose hearts burned with zeal to promote the glory of their divine Master, and to advance the present and everlasting interest of their fellow-men. To associate perpetually with such characters, even with the imperfections and infirmities which cleaved to them in this sublunary region, would form something approaching to a paradise on earth.

But, let us suppose such characters divested of every moral and mental imperfection, endowed with every holy principle and virtue that can adorn a created intelligence, and with capacious intellectual powers in vigorous and incessant exercise, dwelling in a world where every natural evil is removed, where scenes of glory meet the eye at every step, and where boundless prospects stretch before the view of the enraptured mind. Let us further suppose, intelligences invested with faculties far more energetic and sublime—who have ranged through the immensity of creation, who have mingled with the inhabitants of ten thousand worlds, who have learned the history of the divine dispensations in relation to them all, and who are inspired with every amiable and benignant feeling, and with humility, love and condescension;—let us suppose ambassadors of this description, from numerous worlds, occasionally joining this celestial society, and “rehearsing the mighty acts of Jehovah,” as displayed in the regions from whence they came,—let us suppose, “the man Christ Jesus” president among them, in the effulgence of his glory, and unfolding his peerless excellences to every eye,—let us suppose these glorious beings engaged in conversations, contemplations, investigations, thanksgivings, adorations, and beneficent services, corresponding to the magnificence of the region in which they reside, and to the dignity of their natures—and we have a faint picture of the social enjoyments of the celestial world. This is the society of Heaven, the general assembly of the church triumphant, for which we must now be inspired with a divine relish and for which we must now be prepared in the temper and disposition of our minds, if we expect to be hereafter admitted into that “house not made with hands, which is eternal in the heavens.”

O blessed and glorious society! where no contentions ever arise, where no malignant spirit interrupts the universal harmony, where no malevolent affection is ever displayed, where no provocation disturbs the serenity of the mind, where not one revengeful thought arises against the most depraved inhabitant of the universe, where a single falsehood is never uttered, where folly, impertinence and error never intrude, where no frown sits lowering on the countenance, and no cloud ever intercepts the sunshine of benevolence!—where “Holiness to the Lord” is inscribed on every heart, where every member is knit to another by the indissoluble bonds of affection and esteem, where a friendship is commenced which shall never be dissolved, where love glows in every bosom, and benignity beams from every countenance, where moral excellence is displayed in its most sublime and diversified and transporting forms, where “a multitude which no man can number, from all nations and kindreds and people and tongues,” join in unison with angels and archangels, principalities and powers, in swelling the song of salvation to Him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb that was slain, forever and ever!

May the Father of all mercies, who hath begotten us to the lively hope of an incorruptible inheritance, grant that we may persevere in the Christian course, be kept from falling, be “guarded by his Almighty power, through faith unto salvation,” and that in due time, an entrance may be abundantly administered to us into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.