A Preliminary Inquisition.
Whether a dream or an imaginative reverie, it is not important to determine, but methought I stood in a large church structure, crowded with anxious spectators, eagerly intent, as it would seem, on some solemn procedure which was about to commence. Two personages of commanding appearance occupied a raised platform, one of whom, as I soon learned, was the representative of the World, and the other, with angelic countenance, the representative of the great Head of the Church. After a breathless silence of some minutes, the latter arose, and addressing the assembled congregation, said, "Ye who are here congregated have all publicly professed discipleship to my Divine Master; and as he who stands by my side has put in a claim to the service and allegiance of some here present, I have been commissioned to test his claim according to the rule of righteousness. All, therefore, will prepare for the investigation which is to follow." Each one, in his order, was then called by name, and after close scrutiny a verdict was pronounced, and agreeably to this the individual took his position on the right or left of the platform, as belonging to Christ or the world. A specimen only of these examinations can be given, and yet they may answer for the whole. A. B. was called up. Had been a professor for ten years, and the father of a large family; did not believe that paternal influence should be used to constrain children to read the Bible, learn the catechism, and attend church; children should be permitted to exercise their own liberty in such matters; was accustomed, however, to require strict attention in them to their worldly duties; had never established family prayer, because it was not convenient, and had known some who were very strict in such matters, while they were no better than they should be; did not think he should be questioned as to his attention to secret prayer, as that was nobody's business but his own; his motive for becoming a member of the Church was because he considered himself as good a Christian as any around him. "I claim this man," said the world's representative; and, as there was no objection, he was placed on the left side. C. D. was then called. He had been a professor from youth; was a merchant, in fair business; made it a point to attend Church once on the Sabbath, and38considered it right to rest or take recreation in the afternoon; thought that too much religion unfitted a man for worldly occupation; had never been guilty of any great sin; he did, indeed, get his letters from the post-office on a Sabbath, as they might contain some important information; had sometimes travelled on a Sabbath, when the claims of business seemed to require; did not make it a practice to read newspapers on that day, but would occasionally do it on the arrival of a foreign mail; thought himself bound to attend to business strictly, that he might provide for his family; would take advantage in making a bargain, as it was the way of business men, and was considered as an evidence of shrewdness. "I claim him," said the world's representative. "The claim is admitted; let him take the left hand." E. F. was summoned. Had been a professor for forty years; was not sixty years old; had, by industry and business tact, accumulated a large fortune; wished to leave his children in independent circumstances; denied that he was prodigal, although his position required him to live handsomely and make as much show as his rich neighbors; did not give much to religious objects, as he did not think he was bound to give the fruit of his labors to others; had not much opinion of missionary and such like societies, and thought it foolish to expend so much money upon them; paid his pew rent regularly, and thought that was all that should be required of him. "I claim him," said the world's representative; "pass to the next." G. H. was a very old man, and rich withal; considered himself a pattern of prudence; had never expended a farthing unnecessarily even on himself; had no family to provide for; was chiefly occupied in finding out investments for his money; by care and economy had struggled from a poor boyhood to a rich manhood; never gave anything in charity, but intended to leave his money for benevolent objects. "I claim him," said the world's representative; the claim admitted. I. J. was called. Was the mother of a family; devoted herself to her children, in introducing them into the best society; had no opinion of puritanical preciseness; indulged her children in all innocent amusements, such as parties, dancing, operas, and the theatres—could see no harm in it; had had her own pleasure in her younger days, and was not averse to occasional participation still; considered her hope of heaven as good as any of her neighbors. "I claim her," said the world's representative; claim admitted. K. L. was called forward. Was devoted to literary pursuits; his life had been without a blemish; avoided time-consuming amusements; listened to a sermon with pleasure, when it was logical and eloquent; believed in the Christian religion; was chiefly anxious to secure literary fame; sometimes felt envious of the successes of others; acknowledged that literature had more charms for him than religion. Claimed by the world's representative, and claim admitted. M. N., O. P., Q. R., and others of the same class, were called forward, when it appeared that they were men and women against whose outward conduct nothing could be alleged; they attended church with considerable punctuality, and were thrifty in the management of their secular concerns; but, on close examination, it appeared that their notions of religion were only superficial, and that they had no conception of a religion which consisted in a holy and daily walk with God. These seemed much surprised when they were adjudged to belong to the world. S. T. was the next in order. She seemed much abashed and downcast; feared she had no religion; was daily examining her heart by the word of God, and could see little but her own defects. She very frequently besought God in her closet to reveal his Son in her, and although she thought she loved Christ, yet she was grieved that she did not love him as she ought; she still hoped, however, that he would not leave her to perish, for he was the only Almighty Friend she wished to appeal to. "Enough," said Christ's representative, "I put in a claim for this humble woman," and the world's representative had not a word to say. U. V. was a man of bright countenance. He said he had nothing to say in his own behalf, except this; that he had fled to Christ as his life, his strength and his righteousness, and that it was his pleasure to serve him with the fullest purpose of his heart. The world's representative had no claim to put in here. W. X. and Y. Z. were found also to be professors, who lived consistently, worked the works of righteousness, lived lives of prayer, set not their affection on earth but on heaven, and were claimed as the true property of God. Here I awoke from my reverie, and thought seriously on the last great day of accounts.—Presbyterian.