all
who died in infancy. He based this doctrine, so comforting to the afflicted
parent, upon the atonement of Christ for all; and he believed that Christ
made provision for infants in this general atonement or redemption of human
nature. This is the general belief now. Calvin declared that "God adopts
infants and washes them in the blood of his son," and that "they are
regarded by Christ as among His flock." Dr. Junkin says, "It is not
inconsistent with any doctrine of the bible, that the souls of deceased
infants go to heaven." Newton says, "I hope you are both well reconciled to
the death of your child. Indeed, I cannot be sorry for the death of
infants. How many storms do they escape! Nor can I doubt, in my private
judgment, that they are included in the election of grace." This is the
opinion, too, of all evangelical branches of the Christian church. If so,
you have here a source of great consolation.

"Though it he hard to bid thy heart divide,
And lay the gem of all thy love aside--
Faith tells thee, and it tells thee not in vain,
That thou shalt meet thy infant yet again."

What, oh, what, if you had not the assurance of the salvation of all
infants? What if your faith would tell you that all children who die before
they can exercise faith would he lost or annihilated! Then indeed you might
well refuse to be comforted because they are not. But your child is not
lost,--but only removed to a better home:--

"A treasure but removed,
A bright bird parted for a clearer day--
Yours still in heaven!"

And yours to meet there! The hope of a glorious reunion with, departed
friends in heaven, lifts the afflicted Christian into regions of happiness
never before enjoyed. And as he contemplates their better state, and, muses
over the trials and sorrows of his pilgrim land, he longs to pass over the
stream which divides that happy home from this. He is grateful to God that
heaven has thus become doubly attractive by his bereavement, and that he
can look forward with fond anticipation, to the time when he shall there
become reunited with those who have gone before.

"Oh! I could weep
With very gratitude that thou art saved--
Thy soul forever saved. What though my heart
Should bleed at every pore--still thou art blessed.
There is an hour, my precious innocent,
When we shall meet again! Oh! may we meet
To separate no more. Yes! I can smile,
And sing with