od conditions will not be at welatuke place till the resurrection. "It is appointed unto men osée to v. "God has also appointed a day in the he vrid in righteousness by that man whats "has described to us the order and aw

It is future-how far off, we know now
For six thousand years men have been dyin
of departed? What et2 aka have died.
Con this day and the lett

and is

• and chaste os ne bring wor' ur thought

ons the decad of de 2h in duces me to el

- things which cz, pot se27, and kin
tend ng wa pws top e lovely hopes.

Is charter recites teues and cet-
ith fer noble epi- Of wo
2, suffer og at.lustrati

presa, na 's full loss, was
Stay Coundry," the City pres
.e them.

that

THE INTERMEDIATE STATE:

OR, STATE OF THE SOUL BETWeen Death and THE RESURRECTION.

BY H. N. M'TYEIRE, D.D.,

OF THE LOUISIANA CONFERENCE.

"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."-Heb. xi, 39, 40.

No one has yet been saved in heaven: no one sent to hell. These states and conditions will not be awarded till the judgment; and it will not take place till the resurrection.

"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment." God has also "appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained." "That man" has described to us the order and awful glory of " that day." It is future-how far off, we know not. Meantime, death reigns. For six thousand years men have been dying. What of the souls of the departed? What of all who have died, and who shall die between this day and the last?

No vain or irreverent curiosity inquires here. A state so near, so certain, concerns us all. The soul would explore before entering "the land of darkness, as darkness itself." We look, we cannot help looking in that direction. That long interval between death and the judgment, how is it spent, and where? Reflection upon such themes sobers and chastens us; brings worldly thoughts to a solemn pause; lessens the dread of death; introduces us to edifying communion with the things which are not seen, and kindles gratitude and love to Him to whom we owe these lively hopes.

:

This chapter recites the names and deeds of heroes and heroines of faith their noble epitaph-" Of whom the world was not worthy." After obeying, suffering and illustrating their service, they died; but the promise, in its fullness, was still ahead; the "rest," the "heavenly country," the "city prepared by God"—all, all lay before them.