Three States of Life by D. Hildreth

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1863

Three States of Life.

By D. Hildreth

MAN in his primitive condition was superior in every respect to what he is now, both in physical and mental endowments. Behold the prototype of the race as he stands with large and powerful frame, not only strong, but symmetrical and beautiful, endowed with a constitution that a thousand years of Eden life would not impair; possessed also of a well-balanced and powerful intellect, such as is not known at the present time; surrounded with the comforts and luxuries of life, in the midst of a beautiful garden of fruits and flowers and singing birds, with a salubrious atmosphere and never ending spring. Such was the morning of Adam's life.

But a change took place. The garden was taken away. The delightful, ceaseless spring was exchanged for extremes of heat and cold, sunshine and storms. Instead of spontaneous fruits the ground must be tilled and sown and reaped in the sweat of the face. Additional labor must be performed to keep in subjection the thorns and thistles added to the cup of sorrow. The healthful atmosphere becomes miasmatic. Inoffensive beasts become savage and dangerous. What is the effect of this change? That iron constitution finally yields to the sorrows and perplexities, heats and snows and labors of nine hundred and thirty years. And the effects of this universal curse continue and increase even to the present time. That majestic form has greatly dwindled in size. That powerful constitution which could endure nine hundred summers and winters, now scarcely endures three score and ten. It is a law of physiology that when the body is weakened and impaired the mind suffers with it. The conclusion is inevitable that successive generations of sickly and diseased bodies have greatly reduced the primitive power and strength of the mind. We then behold in contrast with Adam a race greatly reduced in size, in length of life, in strength of body and mind, a race which in the natural course of events would soon run out.

But Christ is coming in this generation, and our unhappy condition will be changed for a state of life which we can contemplate with pleasure. The earth renewed and dressed in more than pristine beauty and loveliness is to be an everlasting home. That beautiful garden will be restored, and in addition to it the radiant golden City. The King of glory is to be here. Angels will be our visitors. Instead of our present decaying frames, we shall have bodies that will live forever. Instead of weakness, we shall have strength; instead of pain, pleasure; instead of sickness, health; instead of sorrow, gladness; instead of thorns and thistles, flowers and fruits; instead of an atmosphere filled with vapor and smoke, we shall have one clear and radiant, perhaps at times lit up with more than auroral splendor. One touch of omnipresence would place the earth in a position to insure eternal spring, and free it from storms and everything that would injure or destroy.

And then every power of nature is to be greatly strengthened. Our present imperfect vision will be exchanged for perfect vision which distinguishes objects as clearly at a distance as near at hand. The rich anthems of praise to Jesus will be wafted afar on the gentle zephyrs over the New Earth's plains. The delightful fragrance of flowers and shrubbery will continually fill the air. A quickened taste will relish many delicious fruits. Quickened sensibilities will thrill the soul with a thousand exquisite pleasures. With finer, richer voices we shall sing praises to the Lamb. With stronger minds we shall more fully comprehend the depths of a Saviour's love. Every one will have a possession of their own which they can improve and ornament to their liking. Our present pace will be exchanged for angel speed, with angel wings, when all Israel, scattered over the face of the earth, will assemble in holy convocation every Sabbath. O brethren, do you not want to be there?

D. HILDRETH.