CONVERSE WITH THE UNSEEN WORLD
CONVERSE WITH THE UNSEEN WORLD
By James Meikle, 1730-1799
1. FUTURE GLORY.
When, some years ago, I left my native country for another land, my thoughts went before me; and when I foresaw, that, in the course of providence, I would cross the glowing equator, still my thoughts got the start of me, and were, as it were, acquainted with the place before my arrival there. Since, then, I am on my journey towards eternity, and the world unseen—why is not my meditation there? Shall the howling desert, through which I hasten, engross all my attention—when paradise is before me?
Tell me, you inhabitants of bliss, how you employ yourselves—you who have bid everlasting farewell to all created things? "Oh! man, your question moves our pity, and proves that you dwell in thick darkness. Could you thrust your head through these heavens, and get one glance of the glory we dwell in, of the divine person we adore, you would never ask the question again—but ardently long to come up here, and account the conquest of an earthly kingdom, like the childish acquisition of a feather or a fly; you would turn the world out of your mind, and trample on its noblest things with a disdain befitting an expectant of glory."
My divine Redeemer, I see, then, that in your presence there is fullness of joy, and that at your right hand are pleasures evermore. Too long the things of time have gained on my esteem; too long have I been enamored with creature-charms, and mistaken the chief good; henceforth I will meditate on that world, where in a little while I shall dwell forever. The more I meditate on divine things, the more I love them, and find the greater delight in my meditations; but the less my thoughts are on them, alas! the less do I esteem them. Ah! hitherto how have I refused and fled the purest felicity, and followed after vanity and pain!