( 6 ) 
men know, from the infant-school to the throne of Solomon; this is what 
shepherds sing in the plains, what pastors teach in the holy place, what 
the human race declares throughout the universe.” 
Yet, unhappily, a spirit of irreligion and incredulity has in these 
times spread its baneful influence over the modern world. The reality of 
a future state is called in question by many, and the evil of such insensate 
scepticism continues to increase. It is not, indeed, surprising that dis¬ 
solute men, in order to silence the voice of conscience in the midst of their 
unlawful pleasures , should endeavor to raise doubts on this subject, A 
miserable eternity is a dreadful thought; it casts a gloom over all the 
enjoyments of the world; for which reason the evil one has at all times 
endeavored to efface the idea of a future life from the minds of his fol¬ 
lowers. The belief of a future state of punishments and of rewards is a 
galling check on the passions, and therefore the demon knows that he 
can never succeed in forming hardened sinners, till he has first made them 
unbelievers in this and other primal truths. 
“0 my friends,” exclaims one of France’s greatest preachers,”* “let 
us fly from this chaos of confusion, folly, and madness. Let us entertain 
a salutary fear of Eternity. Do not ask what is done in the other world, 
but ask yourselves what you are to do in this. Remove the stings of con¬ 
science by the innocence of your lives: call in God to your assistance: 
seek happiness, not in shaking off the yoke of piety, but in tasting hove 
sweet it is, and Eternity ivill never appear to you incredible, if you live 
not like those unhappy men, who confine all their hopes to the enjoyments 
of the present life” 
Oh, Listen, Man ! 
A voice within us speaks the startling word, 
“Man, thou shalt never die! ,} Celestial voices 
Hymn it around our souls; according harps, 
By angel fingers touched when the mild stars 
*Massillon. 
