85. The Vale Between

The Vale Between

GREAT QUESTION.—When we consider that it is as natural for us to think and reason as it is to breathe, how natural that within us rise deep soul questions, such as: What is the soul? What is that mysterious something within me which thinks, wills, reasons and hopes and longs for immortality? What shall I be after death? Shall I know my dear ones? Will they know me? THE TRULY REAL.—The mind is the measure of the man, and not his mere bodily proportions. The spirit, the soul, is the truly permanent, and the body is the frail and vanishing. The unseen is the real and lasting, and the seen is the temporary and fading. We are the dead; our bodies are little more than caskets and graves. The departed, the invisible, are the truly living. Our bodies at best are little more than soiled and tattered garments, the outside shell or covering of that mysterious something, which is our real self, that which thinks, reasons, and yearns for immortal life, and which, shall live for ever.

THERE WERE TOO MANY OF YOU.—A preacher in Australia was sent for to see a dying man. The visit was made, and on his return through the lonely bush, he became fearful that he might be waylaid by robbers, for he carried in his saddle-bag’s a large sum of money, belonging to the dying man he had been to see. This fear of robbers grew upon him so that at one place in the road he dismounted, and stood by the side of his horse, and prayed for faith and courage. Becoming calmer and more assured, he mounted his horse and reached his destination in safety. Some time later he was again called to visit a sick man. This individual told him that he did not want to die without confessing that on a certain day he had followed him, intending to rob and murder him, but could get no opportunity. And this particular day was when the preacher was traveling with the money, and the particular time was when he stood in prayer by his horse. The preacher then wanted to know why the man did not kill him when he stood by his horse. “I could not then, there was too many of you,” was the reply. “What do you mean?” asked the preacher. “I was quite alone in the bush standing with my head resting against my horse’s side for a long time. You could have killed me then.” “You were not alone,” said the robber, “I saw you standing as you describe, but there was a man on each side of you.” Certainly there had been no other men with the preacher when he cried to God, but it may be that God opened the robber’s eyes to see protectors sent from the other world.

WATCHED BY INVISIBLE EYES.—If we have a guardian angel or spirit, it may be that our every act and word is known to them, yea, even our thoughts. It may be that when we cross the border into the spirit world, we shall find beings who are well acquainted with all that we have ever done. To angel eyes, floors, walls and doors, are doubtless transparent, and nothing of earthly bars can shut us out from their view. Then, if heavenly eyes are watching us, if unseen guides and messengers are round and about us, how it behoves us to live right!

MOTHER, I SEE A DOOR.—Mrs. Mattie Campbell thus relates the death of her sister: “With mind clear and composed she waited for death. ‘Hark,’ said she, ‘I hear music; don’t you? And mother, I see a door. It is open. I see inside. It is a beautiful palace. It is Heaven. I see forms clothed in white. Many, yes, a multitude of beautiful beings, their hands upraised. Why, there’s Pa! Come, dear Lord, I am ready.’“