and speak of future punishment. But suppose that
they did. What language would they use more graphic, or more
intelligible to us, than the language of the Bible? Whatever they said,
we should feel obliged to compare it with the Scriptures; if it should
be according to them, we do not need it. Besides, the appearance to us
of departed friends, would, in many cases, only operate on our fears.
But the Bible pleads with us by many gentle motives, as well as by
warnings and terrific descriptions, and sets before us numberless
inducements to repent, which the whole world of the dead, uninspired,
could not so well furnish. The appearance and words of a spirit would
excite us, and make us afraid; we could not feel and act as well, under
such influences, as we can under the calm, dispassionate, convincing,
and persuasive influences of the Bible. One of the most intelligent and
cultivated of women, the wife of a missionary in Turkey, in her last
sickness, having heard her husband read to her several times, from the
Pilgrim's Progress, respecting the River of Death and the Celestial
City, at last said to him, as he was opening the book, "Read to me out
of the Bible; that soothes me; I can hear it for a long time; but even
Bunyan agitates me."

As much as we suppose it would comfort us to have intercourse with the
dead, it is easy to see that the great law of the divine government, by
which faith, and not sight, is the appointed means of our spiritual
good, would be violated, could the dead speak with us. We are to trust
in the mercy and the justice of God. This we could not so well do, if we
knew things about which, now, we are obliged to exercise faith. The
inspired Word, the only and the all-sufficient rule of faith and duty,
is a better guide than the voices of the dead.

An interesting illustration of this is given by one who witnessed the
appearance of departed spirits on a certain most interesting occasion.
Two illustrious men, of the Jewish line, appeared and spake with
Christ. The person of the Saviour experienced a remarkable
transfiguration, assuring his human soul of the joy set before him; the
presence of the celestial spirits, also, confirming his assurance
respecting the separate existence of souls, and the whole transaction
being designed to strengthen the faith of the disciples, and of the
world, in the Saviour.

But what comparative value does one of the inspired witnesses of this
scene give to this heavenly co