Page:God Manifest.djvu/102

his storehouse, he brings his contribution of friendly regard, benevolent feeling, and true principle, to increase the common stock? As the private home is, such will be the public society, such will be the character of the nation itself. And what is the basis and the soul of home, but the pure conjugal bond and union? Thus is the sentiment of chaste love between the sexes, seen to be the foundation and support of all well-ordered, happy human society. But more even than this—it may be truly said to be the basis of heaven itself, and the cherisher of all those elevated virtues, pure affections, and devout aspirations, which lead and lift the soul to heaven. For earth is the seminary of heaven; heaven is peopled from the "spirits of just men made perfect," who on earth have "fought the good fight of faith," and then passed to their eternal inheritance above. Then, as the conjugal union is the basis of human society, it is also the basis and support of the grander heavenly society. Moreover, as before observed, this love, in its chaste and holy form, tends to fit the soul for heaven, by introducing and cherishing good and heavenly affections. Where, but in the home wherein pure conjugial love reigns queen, are the first heavenward aspirations planted in the childish heart? Who, like the pious mother, can sow the seeds of early devotion, and point the youthful mind to heaven? Who else can so give the instruction warm from the heart, that it will sink into the young spirit, and make an impression there which will be ineffaceable? As the child bows down on his knees, like little Samuel, before the Lord, to say his evening prayer,—how can she talk to him of the happy angels, and of the beautiful heaven where they dwell, and of the good Lord who watches