His sermon, as nearly as I can recall it, was substantially this.
“The future life presented a vast theme to our speculation. Theories ‘too numerous to mention,’ had been held concerning it. Pagans had believed in a coming state of rewards and punishments. What natural theology had dimly foreshadowed, Revelation had brought in, like a full-orbed day, with healing on its wings.” I am not positive about the metaphors.
“As it was fitting that we should at times turn our thoughts upon the threatenings of Scripture, it was eminently suitable also that we should consider its promises.
“He proposed in this discourse to consider the promise of heaven, the reward offered by Christ to his good and faithful servants.
“In the first place: What is heaven?”
I am not quite clear in my mind what it was, though I tried my best to find out. As nearly as I can recollect, however,—
“Heaven is an eternal state.
“Heaven is a state of holiness.
“Heaven is a state of happiness.”
Having heard these observations before, I will not enlarge as he did upon them, but leave that for the “vivid imagination” of the green book.