mmunication, these voices of the dead, and
this visit from the heavenly world? Does he build his faith upon it, as
upon a corner stone? No; but after telling us, in glowing language,
respecting this most wonderful and impressive scene, he says, "We have
also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take
heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn,
and the day star arise in your hearts." That sure word,--"more sure"
than the testimony of departed spirits, or than voices from the other
world,--is the Bible; for he immediately adds, "For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost." The testimony of departed spirits, even
of Moses and Elijah, might be, after all, only "the will of man;" but in
the Bible men have spoken as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

As to its being a comfort, in any case, that departed friends should
speak to us, it is doubtful whether it would prove to be so. Suppose
them to utter words of endearment; this would open the fountains of
grief in our souls afresh. Suppose them to tell us that they are safe
and happy; it would be far better for us, in many cases, to hope
respecting this, than to know it; the knowledge of it might make us
careless and too confident about ourselves; we should be less inclined
to shun the errors of these friends, to guard against their
imperfections, and to fear lest a promise being left us of entering into
that rest, any of us should seem to come short of it. One of the most
inconvenient and uneasy states of mind, is that of insatiable
curiosity--longing to know that which is concealed, dispirited at the
delay of information, refusing effort except under the spur of absolute
assurance. Far better and more healthful is that state of mind which
performs present duty, and leaves the rest to the unfolding hand of
time; which disdains that prying, inquisitive disposition which is all
eye and ear, which lives on excitement, which has no self-respect, nor
regard for any thing but to know something yet unknown. If God suffered
the dead to speak to us, we should always be on the watch for some sign;
we should be unfitted for the common, practical duties of life; we
should be superstitious, visionary, fanatical, timorous. As it is, how
eager we are to pry into the future, or into things purposely hidden
from us! If it were certainly known that one had communication w