NEWS FROM THE UNSEEN

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 29, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 5

NEWS FROM THE UNSEEN.

We have seen floating about among our Exchanges a scrap of news pertaining to the reception of Pope Pius Ninth in the celestial world. Thus it is said:—

“We are gravely assured on the authority of Le Pelerin, a Catholic paper, not only of the safe arrival of the late incumbent of the pontifical throne in Paradise, but of several particulars in regard to the honors of which he was the recipient upon his entrance into that blessed state.

“The paper referred to says: ‘Upon entering Paradise he received a crown from the hands of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, as a reward for the crown he had conferred on her while on earth.

“‘St. Joseph, whom he had made the patron and protector of the church, did not fail to shake him cordially by the hand, and thank him.

“‘On seeing him enter, St. Peter instantly gave the pitch, and the heavenly choir struck up.

“‘Florins, Francis de Sales, and Alphonse de Ligouri, whom he had proclaimed doctors of the church, extolled each in turn the exploits and achievements of his pontificate.

“‘Fifty-two Saints and twenty-six Blesseds, who owe to Pius Ninth their existing position, regaled him with melodious concerts.’”

We have noted the somewhat incredulous tone in which papers have commented on this remarkable information, and we have been led to inquire what there is about this so incredible. Have we not repeatedly heard ministers, eminent, able and orthodox, who have reported things as wonderful as these? Have they not sung of their friends who are watching and waiting for them at the beautiful gate? Have they not preached that those who had departed this life had been welcomed by their friends to celestial joys? Have they not told how mothers, looking over the battlements of Heaven, have watched their children in their homeward way as they drew near? Has not this been the warp and woof of a thousand funeral sermons? And if our Protestant brethren so clearly discern the mysteries of the unseen, is it surprising that the Romish hierarchy have similar glimpses of the great beyond?

To be sure it is possible that there may be no Scripture to prove that Pope Pius Ninth was thus received by angel choirs and with apostolic welcomes, but is there not quite as much Scripture for this as for a hundred other statements which men are making from the pulpit from day to day? In fact, if we come down to the simple ministry of the word of God, we shall find that the wings of fancy will be astonishingly reduced in length and spread. We can get more information on these subjects from many a minister in one sermon, than can be derived from all our Saviour’s teachings as recorded in the New Testament.

We suggest whether, on such themes as these, it might not be well to leave these vague fancyings, and cultivate that modesty and reticence which was characteristic of our Lord. We know that Lazarus died and was buried and rose, but on his return to life he made no mention of such scenes as these to which we have referred. We know that our Lord Jesus died and was buried, but we also know that when he burst the grave and returned to life, it was not to gratify our curiosity with any wondrous tales concerning death and its mysteries. The safest preaching is preaching the Word, and if he had many things to teach us which he withheld, we, in this respect, may safely follow his example.—The Christian.