VOYAGE TO THE CELESTIAL

COUNTRY.

CHAPTER I.

THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP, AND REASONS AND CONDITIONS OF THE VOYAGE.

IT happened on a time that the King of the Celestial Country, moved with compassion for the people of this earth, resolved to establish a connection between the Celestial Empire and our world, whereby any that chose might lay up their treasures in that heavenly region, and at an appointed time go thither to enjoy them. To this end a grand ship was prepared to take passengers across the great sea that lies between us and the Celestial Country.

While the vessel was a-building, the people far and near had warning of it, and many looked on curiously, and some inquired into it with deep interest, for there were many communications from the King continually in regard to it, and holy men of old spake about it as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The multitude were very indifferent and

1 2 Peter i. 21.

unconcerned, but some would now and then talk with the workmen, and though it took many generations to finish the ship, yet from the time when the first orders were given in regard to it, and the first beam laid for it, all who chose might have an interest in it, might have their names set down as passengers, and might be just as sure of all the benefits of it, as any of those who should be alive upon the earth when the ship was launched and sailing.

The Master Builder had all his plans perfect, and gave them for execution into the hands of persons in whom he could confide, and the vessel was a noble craft, as beautiful and grand to see as ever swam the waters. When the time drew near for the completion of the ship, the King said to some of his faithful seamen then living, "I tell you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them." And after the ship was under sailing orders, a record was drawn up of a great cloud of witnesses that had before obtained an interest in her by faith, whose hearts were fixed upon the Celestial Country, and it was said that they were even as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore innumerable. It was added that these all died in

Matt. xiii. 17.

2

faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, yea, they desire a better, that is a heavenly country;

FOR HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY.

Now the example of these believing and happy persons was not followed by as many as might have been supposed would take passage, when the glory of the ship and the full blessedness of the voyage were seen no longer as through a glass darkly, but as it were face to face. For the hardness of men's hearts was exceeding great, and most of them were feasting and revelling just as when Noah entered into the ark, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, and neither believing nor caring concerning the Celestial Country." And the god of this world was everywhere at work in great power, blinding the minds of them who believed not, lest at any time the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should come to their notice, and the offers of salvation should persuade them to embark. And as when the deluge came upon the Old World the people mocked Noah and his Ark, which was a type beforehand of this

3 Heb. xi. 12, 13, 14, 16. 4 1 Cor. xiii. 12. 5 2 Cor. iv. 4.

great ship of salvation, so now many persons, when they heard, mocked, and even said that the King's recruiting officers were full of new wine because, by the power of Divine Inspiration, they spoke in all languages, and invited men everywhere in their own tongue, to take passage for the Celestial Country. Nevertheless a great many did take passage, so that on one occasion three thousand put down their names at one and the same time. And so it went on, till it seemed as if the whole world were going to turn sailors; but that happy time was yet a great way off.

Whenever the ship sailed, all that chose to go were invited. They were to ship once for all, being never to return to their native land, but to put into the King's harbor in the Celestial Country, far away, where mansions were prepared for them, and thrones, and crowns, and a great inheritance. It was said that their own country was to be visited and burnt up with fire, which would involve the perdition of ungodly men, and none could tell when that ruin might come; but it was certain; and the King's messengers were always telling the people to secure their passage in season, so that none need have failed, though oftentimes very few paid any attention to the warnings.

6 Acts ii. 41.