(Matth. xiii. 47-49.) So clear and emphatic is the language of Christ in portraying the final crisis and ultimate. separation of the wicked from the just, that every candid mind must exercise implicit confidence in the doctrine. As fishermen let down their net and inclose and draw to shore a multitude of fish, both good and bad, but immediately separate the good from the bad, putting the good into vessels and casting the bad away; so it shall be at the end of the world-the swift-winged angels shall encompass the habitable globe and gather together all nations before the tribunal of heaven, and draw an unerring line of separation between the good and the wicked. The scene will be a moving one, when the human race shall pass through a final separation and classification, associating all congenial characters into the two grand divisions of our race; the · good shall enter upon the estate of endless blessedness, while the wicked shall be banished from the presence and saving power of God. Though in this world the tares and wheat are sown in the same field and gathered by the same instrumentality, yet a decisive and final separation will be effected after the vast assembly shall be complete, and comprise the rational world-a division based on moral charac

The Lord, who shall preside and superintend this tremendous scene, will cause to be gathered out of his kingdom all things that offend, in order to render unalloyed the happiness of the saints, to establish a kingdom upon the principles of his holiness and sway his sceptre over an empire subject and delighting in paying homage to his throne "The tares shall be gathered and bound in bundles and cast into the fire; so shall it be at the end of the world." (Matth. xiii. 40, &c.) While some people are impatient for the coming of Christ, and the separation and destiny of mankind, they forestall the event, and place the Judgment in this world, rewarding and punishing mankind as they do

good or evil; but the Savior declares that the harvest is at the end of the world. The plans and arrangements of God are fixed, and they await the predestined period for their fulfilment-the time shall not be precipitated, but shall come along in due season. Others disbelieve the predicted event of final separation and rewards, and declare that the Lord delayeth his coming; but, nevertheless at the end of the world, the wicked shall be severed from among. the just, and be punished as in a furnace of fire, wailing and feeling insufferable anguish, and the righteous shall shine as the sun in the firmament.

As might already be inferred, immediately after the world's convocation and the classification of the righteous and the wicked, their arraignment and conviction, or approval; the sentence will be pronounced by Christ and the awards administered. This last exhibition is portrayed in graphic and glowing colors in Matth. xxv. 31-46. The Son of man shall be revealed from heaven upon the throne of his glory, surrounded with myriads of angels on swiftest wing to execute the behests of God, beneath his burning feet, clouds evolving in mighty folds, and on either hand the chariots of vengeance thundering along on the sounding air, with lightening's speed, and o'er the immense descending procession the spanning concave glowing with inconceivable. brilliancy and overwhelming light, eclipsing all the accustomed lights of the mundane sphere. The utmost consternation and sudden surprise, on the one hand, exulting joy and loud hosannah on the other, are excited in the bosoms of the respective classes of the righteous, and unholy. The silence suppressed momentarily, is broken, and the scene is overwhelming. The billows of the deep roll up and send forth the reanimated dead, the graveyards tremble and break with earthquake convulsions, and the rising dead appear, and the charnel-houses rattle with the breaking coffins and

the stirring nations; all appear before the inexorable Judge -the investigation takes place the decision is made and the sentence based on moral character is pronounced with deep-toned emphasis, causing eternal chords of weal or wo to vibrate. "Come ye blessed of my Father, and depart ye cursed into everlasting fire." These words will impress the congregated world, thrilling the bosom of the righteous with unutterable delight, and pouring the tide of consternation and anguish upon the souls of the wicked. "Come ye blessed of my Father." Such a welcome into the kingdom of heaven uttered by the lips of the blessed God will inspire hope, confidence and inexpressible joy. While scenes tremendous and overwhelming surrounded them, deep solemnity pervading every heart, judgment in the court of heaven made up and Christ arising to pass sentence upon the human race, then to hear the cheering invitation of heaven, "Come ye blessed," will dispel every doubt, animate the pulsation of every heart, and light up with benignant smiles, the countenance of every one redeemed and saved. Then they shall first properly realize the import and sweetness of the blessing of God-the tones of the benedictive voice of the Savior will send music of unearthly sweetness into their heart, every chord of love, feeling and veneration shall be waked up. Standing approved, blessed and crowned of the Father, this will be sufficient to perfect their happiness, and permanently establish them in the employments of the upper and better world. They shall inherit a kingdom, where God's will is the supreme and honored law, all its subjects holy, worshiping their Creator; consummate peace and tranquillity will abound throughout its limits, and where God shall be their benignant Sovereign, and they shall be his people. This kingdom was prepared from the foundation of the world and made the ceaseless fountain of perfect bliss,

when all tears shall be wiped away, pure consolation without the admixture of sorrow shall be drunk from the goblet of eternal love, all pain, sickness and sighing shall have passed away, and vigor, health and praise supply their place, death and its dread dominion shall be conquered and destroyed, and immortality in holiness shall reign with exultation and without hostility.

The sentence which shall pronounce the righteous accepted and blessed of God, will also insure the permanency of their holiness and happiness. They shall no more go out, after having entered into everlasting life. They shall be fit companions of the angelic throng, be like unto them and enjoy redeeming bliss, and travel the same highway to endless perfection. The errands of mercy and goodness in the heavenly kingdom, they shall undertake and execute. Being accounted worthy of that world and the resurrection of the dead, they shall mingle in employment and enjoyment with the angels of God. They shall gaze upon the glories of the same throne, and ous perfection unto another.

be changed from one glori

But on the other hand, "He shall say unto those upon his left, Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." This sentence of wrath will fill up one vial of misery, mingled with pain, sorrow and the terrible upbraidings of conscience, and be poured upon the ungodly in one eternal curse. It will convulse every feeling and sensibility of heart, and raise a storm of undying anguish; and for the first time, they will realize the bitterness and overwhelming sorrow of the second death. All the imaginary appendages of perdition will flee as chaff, and nothing but stern reality will remain, and the elements of wo will send confusion and despair over the hearts of thronging millions. The hell of the ungodly is not only positively described, as admitting of degrees; but it is also

negatively spoken of, as a deprivation of happiness and holiness. This place was originally prepared for the devil and his angels, and man only became an inhabitant of it as an intruder. He becomes a companion of the fallen angels by voluntary choice, and because he would sin against God, in defiance of mercy and divine remonstrance. From the judgment-seat, the ungodly will be driven into blackness of darkness forever.

The last Judgment will be a closing scene; changes great, ample and all-pervading, will precede the terminating period of time; but all beyond will be one unbroken eternity, all things fixed by immutable fate. We have seen man in his fallen, degraded state, and viewed the opening fountain of mercy and salvation, and heard invitations free and full in melting strains to rebellious men, to reform and live for God-some wept and believed in Christ, while others lined their hearts with brass and persisted in sin-they fell victims to death, and were held under his temporary dominion-time rolled on to its utmost verge, the resurrection› morn dawned, the dead forsook their sleepy beds and woke to endless existence the Judgment-hall was thronged, the books were opened, and the living race of men were judged, the righteous acquitted and welcomed on high, and the wicked condemned to a lasting overthrow and insufferable perdition.

"Time gone, the righteous saved, and the wicked damn'd, And God's eternal government approved."

Here God has raised his truth, uncompromising and immutable, standing in defiance of all cavils, doubts and assailing influences, scattering its beacon-light across the stormy sea of time, directing the watchful mariner into the haven of eternal safety. Who would refuse to gaze upon the blaze of heavenly light, and perish amid the foaming