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D. MORTIMORE, M. D.
D. MORTIMORE, M. D.
PUBLISHED BY F. C. COOK & CO., NEW YORK. NEW YORK: SHELDON & COMPANY, 498 & 500 BROADWAY. 1870. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by D. MORTIMORE, M. D., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Tennessee....
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
In presenting this volume to the "intelligence of the world," the author is fully aware of the incredulity with which it may meet in many literary minds. Nevertheless, the truths which it contains will remain unmarred by the salient attacks of "critics," when they have passed away and have ceased to be remembered. Thus it has ever been with the discovery of all great and important truths, from the creation of man down to the present day. For more than eighteen hundred years now past, the success
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THE THEME.
THE THEME.
The theme we are now about to contemplate is one of deepest interest to the human mind. If we can fathom and unfold the mystery—as we believe we shall—by analogy, founded in the light of reason , Divine revelations, and the lights afforded us by the science of Astronomy, and give tangibility to the—hitherto—chaos of the mind upon the subject, we may lay the foundation for a more comprehensive and intimate knowledge of God, the great Creator of all things, and this knowledge should lead to more s
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THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE.
THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AND A FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE.
The Bible—now "The Book of the World"—is God's own revelation to man. That it was penned by holy men of God, who wrote as they were inspired, has been fully manifested by the fulfilment of prophecies; many of which were miracles, and others—in their accomplishment—awful and fearful judgments. Hence, none can doubt its authenticity as God's own revelation to man. It is our only history of the wonderful creations emanating from the Great First Cause; especially the creation of man ; his mortal, as
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POSSIBILITY OF A MORE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; OUR RELATIONS TO HIM,—AND OF A FUTURE STATE OR PLACE OF HABITATION.
POSSIBILITY OF A MORE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; OUR RELATIONS TO HIM,—AND OF A FUTURE STATE OR PLACE OF HABITATION.
We believe that God himself has furnished us evidences through which we should gain a more intimate knowledge of him; of our relations to him, and of our future state and place of habitation. In sustaining this belief, and the hypothesis we have already advanced, as to the location of heaven,—to which we shall also add our views as to the location of hell ,—we shall rely mainly upon the revelations of God, as found recorded in the Bible. Should we not furnish positive, we believe we shall furnis
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THE CREATION.
THE CREATION.
Let us now make some investigations of the evidences given us in the Bible in regard to creation. No one ever has, no finite mind ever can fully comprehend the creative power of the Almighty; nor can we form an idea of the time, in the remote past, when creation, "by the word of His power" commenced. We learn from Bible history, that "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth." Now as to the time when that "beginning" was, we can form no positive idea. It is as reasonable to suppose
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THE SUN—THE SOURCE OF LIGHT AND HEAT.
THE SUN—THE SOURCE OF LIGHT AND HEAT.
First, acknowledging God—the Supreme, Infinite, and Eternal One—as the Great First Cause, and Author of all things created, we all know that the Sun is the mainspring of animated Nature. Without its genial rays, the present system of Earth's government could not endure, and life itself would soon disappear from our globe. It is the source of light and heat—the two great stimulants of vital force. Now, so far as we can comprehend, the Sun is the immediate or direct source of light and heat—or fir
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WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD.
WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD.
We now propose to devote a short time to the contemplation of some of the wonderful works of the Creator, as we see them displayed in the firmament, and standing out in illimitable space, and, with the aids afforded us by that most exact of all sciences—astronomy—we hope to unveil mysteries, long since revealed by the revelations of God; yet, hitherto, not fully comprehended. These seeming mysteries, we shall endeavor to assist you to analyze by the light of God's own revelations. In order to ou
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THE DISCOVERY OF THE MOTION OF THE EARTH AND HEAVENLY BODIES.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE MOTION OF THE EARTH AND HEAVENLY BODIES.
The science of Astronomy is one of the oldest that has occupied the human mind. That the belief in Astrology was its forerunner, we cannot doubt. Professor Olmsted tells us, that, "At a period of very remote antiquity, Astronomy was cultivated in China, India, Chaldea, and Egypt." Three several schools were established, ranging from three to six hundred years before the Christian era. Anaximander, in the school of Miletus, taught the sublime doctrine that the planets are inhabited, and that the
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THE ROMISH CHURCH.
THE ROMISH CHURCH.
It is impossible for the mind to contemplate the scene presented to the world, by the history of that trial and unjust condemnation, without a shudder, if not a premonition of what may yet be in the future. Religious bigotry is more intolerant than any other power of dominion, and where the mind and conscience is trammelled, and brought under the subjection of superior intellect, the masses become almost as menials, ready to do their masters' bidding. We hold to a system of religion, one which l
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ATTRACTION, GRAVITATION, &c.
ATTRACTION, GRAVITATION, &c.
The power of attraction and force of gravitation are the laws which govern the universe of matter. "The discovery of this law," says Prof. Olmsted, "made us acquainted with the hidden forces that move the great machinery of the universe. It furnished the key which unlocks the inner temple of Nature, and established the science of Astronomy upon a sure and firm basis. Thus we discover in Nature a tendency of every portion of matter toward some other. This tendency is called gravitation. The large
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SUNS, STARS, PLANETS, &c.
SUNS, STARS, PLANETS, &c.
We come, now, to the contemplation of that which is of far greater importance to us than all other planets, worlds, stars, and wonders in the siderial Heavens. This is the Sun, which warms and lights up our earth, and all the other planets within its sphere. Says Dr. Child, "There are not a few in this world who habitually receive God's blessings so much as a matter of course, that they are scarcely conscious of any active feeling of gratitude in regard to them. The very regularity and profusion
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FIXED STARS ARE SUNS.
FIXED STARS ARE SUNS.
We now propose to dwell for a short time upon the distance, magnitude, elements, and offices of the Sun. The Sun itself speaks to us with its voice of light, and it is our high privilege to understand, and thus comprehend mysteries long hidden, which are now being revealed. Special manifestations were long since made by Jehovah, which were left for those of the present enlightened age to comprehend; when the mind of man is more fully able to grasp His truths, and look up through Nature to Nature
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A CONTEMPLATION.
A CONTEMPLATION.
Just here, may we not, for a few moments, speculate in mind upon a possibility, which, as we advance, will assume more the form of a probability? Look once more upon that brilliant orb, whose light, without , may be one of the lamps of eternal day. Look but for one second of time only; for, as we have told you, a steady gaze into its fiery flame of brightness for one minute alone is fatal to the blinding of the unprotected eye. May not within be the place of which the poet's spiritual eye caught
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THE SUN, AND GLOBE WITHIN.
THE SUN, AND GLOBE WITHIN.
We now propose to continue our investigations of the Sun; in considering its surrounding elements, offices, &c. We have already said that it is the main-spring, and we may add, barring the Great Author, the source and fountain of animated Nature; the source of light and heat, the two stimulants of vital force, without which no animated life could exist on this earth; and so, doubtless, with all the other planets and worlds which it controls. And, while contemplating it thus as the immedi
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THE PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.
THE PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.
Let us now turn our attention, for a short time, to the contemplation of the planets, or worlds, belonging to our own solar system; those within the domain of our own Sun, and to which it dispenses light and heat. With these, our Astronomers are, so to speak, quite familiar. We cannot do better than to present them to you in the language of Dr. Child, whose writings have afforded us so much correct data in preceding pages. "In gazing at our fellow-planets on a clear night, as we see them stand o
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GOD'S THRONE SHALL ENDURE FOREVER; SO ALSO SHALL THE SUN. CONCLUSIVE SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE FOR ALL THAT WE CLAIM.
GOD'S THRONE SHALL ENDURE FOREVER; SO ALSO SHALL THE SUN. CONCLUSIVE SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE FOR ALL THAT WE CLAIM.
God hath sworn by His Holiness, that the seed of David (the Messiah ), should "endure forever, and his throne as the Sun before him." The Psalmist, referring to the Messiah says, "His name shall endure forever. His name shall be continued as long as the Sun, and all nations shall call him blessed." Here we have the assurance of the eternal duration of the Sun; even as the Throne of God which is to "endure forever and ever." The promise is, that "His seed also will I make to endure forever, and h
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SUN AND HEAVEN.
SUN AND HEAVEN.
Now to show the intimate connexion with the Sun and Heaven , spoken of in the Scriptures, we will here group together a few of the many passages found written therein. The prophet Jeremiah, in referring to the great and terrible day of the Lord, says "the light shall be darkened in the heavens;" and in the Gospel according to St. Mark, referring to the same, we read that "the Sun shall be darkened;" and in the Revelation, that "the Sun and the air were darkened." Again, Jehovah, speaking to His
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A PLURALITY OF HEAVENS.
A PLURALITY OF HEAVENS.
The idea of a plurality of heavens , and their numbers almost infinite, would seem at first thought to startle the mind, and disarrange all our conceptions of the extent and machinery of the universe, and of the employment of God, and all the angels, and other intelligences He has made. Yet its truth only brings home to us the insignificance of our own earth, and still more that of ourselves. We are too prone to think that this earth and its inhabitants are the principal objects of the Creator's
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A PLACE FOR THE WICKED.
A PLACE FOR THE WICKED.
That there are two separate places and conditions—one for the righteous and the other for the wicked—we cannot doubt. In regard to no other fact are the revelations of God and declarations of the Scriptures more clear and explicit. This of itself should startle every inhabitant of Earth; cause due and solemn reflection; and incline every one to search for light, and truth, and for the way of salvation. In stating the facts contained in this volume, it has not been our design to indulge in a tira
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THE NATURE OF THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD.
THE NATURE OF THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD.
" The glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. " We have given the above Scripture quotation repeatedly in these pages, in order to forcibly impress the minds of all with the fact that the light of the heavenly world is different from the light of the Sun; that it far transcends it in brightness . For we are told that it "is far above the brightness of the Sun shining in its strength," even " seven-fold brighter than the Sun ." Let us contemplate what has been revealed of
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THAT HEAVENLY WORLD.
THAT HEAVENLY WORLD.
We need not stand on Pisgah's height, nor climb to the summit of the Andes, to catch a glimpse of that " Heavenly world ." But, grasping the telescope of Faith , and looking through Revelations , the humblest Christian, "low down in the valley," may see through the storm-clouds and tempests of life—yea, even through the "shadow of death"—and gaze with rapture upon the enchanting scene. The light of the Sun pales without, as the flood-light of that inner world breaks upon the eye. There is the re
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THE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY OF THE CITY—THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL, AND TO SPARE.
THE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY OF THE CITY—THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL, AND TO SPARE.
" And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with a reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. " Rev. xxi. Twelve thousand furlongs constitutes, by our measurement, 1,500 miles. Thus we see that the city lieth four-square, and its height is equal to its length or breadth of foundation. The base surface covers a superficial extent of 2,250,000 square miles. The extent of the city will give us o
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THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THAT HEAVENLY WORLD.
THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THAT HEAVENLY WORLD.
"The Angels of God."—Heb. 1. 6. So far as revealed to us by record of the Bible, the original or native inhabitants of Heaven are called "Angels." These are also called "messengers of God," and from all the lights we have, it would seem that their principal occupation and employment is to act as messengers; execute the commands of Jehovah, and to worship, and magnify the name of their Creator. Their perpetual residence, it seems, is in Heaven, yet from the manifestations of repeated visits to ou
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THE VAST NUMBER OF THE ANGELS.
THE VAST NUMBER OF THE ANGELS.
" An innumerable company of angels. " Heb. xii. 22. Of the number of the angels we can form no proper conception. That their numbers are very great, we have evidence through Divine revelations. We are told that when the Law was given from Mount Sinai, there was in attendance upon the great Author of all "thousands of angels." Daniel, speaking of their attendance upon the "Ancient of Days" says, "thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." When t
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AMAZING STRENGTH OF ANGELS.
AMAZING STRENGTH OF ANGELS.
" Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. "—Ps. ciii. 20. Of the amazing strength of angels, we can form no adequate conception. "God is a Spirit," and by His Spirit hath created all things. We have seen that His angels are spirits, and that these spirits are ethereal in their nature, so far as finite mind can comprehend. And yet their strength is wonderful to contemplate. St. John represents them as holding the four
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RAPIDITY OF MOVEMENT OF THE ANGELS.
RAPIDITY OF MOVEMENT OF THE ANGELS.
We will now consider another feature of the capacity of the angels, one that is fraught with deepest interest to the human mind, as it will give us some light of probabilities attending our future, when our spirits shall be released from our mortal bodies. This is the celerity, velocity, or rapidity of their movements. These celestial creatures seem to possess the power of transporting themselves with a celerity incomprehensible to finite mind. That it is equal, even if not more rapid than elect
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CERTAINTY OF A RESURRECTION.
CERTAINTY OF A RESURRECTION.
St. Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, says: " If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. " No wonder that he came to such conclusion, when he knew that kings, rulers, and the populace were overwhelmingly against the few disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that persecutions, bonds, imprisonment, and even violent death were in store for many of them. But hear him again: "Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection from the dead.
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THE RESURRECTION.
THE RESURRECTION.
Therefore, behold, the time cometh when "all that are in their graves, shall hear His voice"—even the voice of God—and the angel shall sound the trumpet, and its tones of melody and the voice of love will move earth and seas, from centre to circumference, and awake into immortal life the decayed bodies and mouldering dust of His sleeping children. "For the dead in Christ shall rise first," and "blessed are they who have part in the first resurrection, for on such the second death hath no power."
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A SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION.
A SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION.
The contemplation of the final judgment, and the sentence to be passed upon the wicked, is truly a solemn one, and should startle every mind, But oh, how few, comparatively, seem to stop and reflect upon this momentous subject? And yet all are rapidly hastening on to their final doom. Few are aware of the vast numbers that are passing from time into eternity—even each year, each month, each day each hour, or each minute. We will here state the numbers, as well ascertained, or approximated, by th
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THE FINAL JUDGMENT.
THE FINAL JUDGMENT.
" The Lord shall endure forever, he hath prepared his throne for judgment." "We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ." "Then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God." "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, * * * and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." "Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prep
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A HOME IN HEAVEN.
A HOME IN HEAVEN.
Our pilgrimage on earth is one of unrest, is one of toil, sorrow, and affliction. Here we have no abiding place, "no continuing city." Our "days on earth are few, and are full of trouble." There is no permanency here. From the time of the first infant breath and short unconscious slumber on a mother's bosom to the latest hour and moment of life, we are ever restless and moving onward, and endure all the disquietude and sufferings of mind and body incident to our mortal existence. The original si
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CONCLUSIVE AND CONCLUDING ARGUMENT.
CONCLUSIVE AND CONCLUDING ARGUMENT.
The Sun is held by all Philosophers and Astronomers to be the central pivot of the solar system, and the loadstone power of attraction , which governs, steadies, and controls all its surrounding planet-worlds in their orbits. So great is its power of attraction, that a counter-balancing force was necessary to keep the machinery of Nature in order. This force is produced by the attracting power of the various planet-worlds, placed in proper positions in surrounding space, and thus furnishing the
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WILL ALL TAKE HEED?
WILL ALL TAKE HEED?
* * * * * * Gentle reader, we are about to take our leave of you. We have penned the lines which compose this volume at short intervals obtained recently from a laborious professional life. Our mind has been duly impressed with the correctness of the views we have advanced. Indeed, to disbelieve them, would seem to disbelieve Divine revelations, and let the mind become again shrouded with impenetrable mystery in regard to the place of our future hab
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APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN MINISTERS.
APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN MINISTERS.
It might reasonably be expected that as we have advanced a new hypothesis as to the location of Heaven , and also of Hell , that we should also give our views as to what we deem the correct faith and principles of the true Christian Religion . You will see in our " Preface " that we have not designed to make our book sectarian in behalf of any one of the different Protestant organizations. And, not being a minister of the Gospel, we leave the great and important work of thus directing the mind t
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APPEAL TO ALL:
APPEAL TO ALL:
We desire the salvation of the entire human family. We believe that God has provided a way and plan of salvation by which all should gain a true and saving knowledge of Him; and we have appealed to Christian ministers to unite their efforts in prayerful investigation of His revelations through all new lights afforded them, and to point out to all, the plain path of duty and safety —but not in any wise labor under the false or mistaken belief that they can stand as sole mediator , or umpire, betw
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