FUTURE STATE OF EXISTENCE.
A Sermon Delivered by ELEAZAR BALES, 8-19-1880, Westfield Indiana Conservative
Friends Meeting.
Previously Unpublished Material Transcribed from Archival Manuscripts by Tom Roberts,
Made available to the editor by Edsel Burdge.
This is The Quaker Homiletics Online Anthology, Part 3: The 19th Century
The great object of our being here is to prepare for a future state of existence, there being certain
duties assigned us to carry out in faith to entitle us to a home with the saints of life. We have met
here this morning for the purpose of discharging one of these duties, that is the performing divine
worship which is due from us to our great benefactor, for the benefits and mercies unto us. We
have the promise of a blessing to those who walk not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stand in
the way of sinners, no sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but they whose delight is in the Lord and
meditate on his laws day and night There is a great work for the believer in the gospel of Christ to
perform while in this lower world to entitle them to a home that fadeth not away. We know that
our home here is not permanent. We know that our time here will soon close, but sufficient time is
given to all to prepare for that home which changes not, but is a safe abiding place forever. It is
for us poor and unworthy as we are; but in our sinful state and condition we are unworthy of
admittance into that mansion of rest and peace; consequently we have to work and do our days
work of righteousness. I believe the promise is that "all who fear God and keep his
commandments shall be accepted of him." We read of many positive commandments it is
indispensable to our future happiness in the teachings of the grace of God and fulfillment of these
commandments and the carrying of them out, because they are all righteous and all from the
fountain light and life and given us to follow after the teachings of the Holy Spirit. It is left for us,
Christ having done all on his part to affect the salvation of souls. It is left to us whether we will be
residents of this blessed home in heaven or whether we will choose the enjoyment of a sin pleasing
pleasures of a time here and loose our souls; sell it as it were for a few days sin and pleasure here
in the present world. I have in my life experienced that there is great loss sustained for want of
more serious meditation The declaration seems to be enjoined upon us to meditate day and night,
and it should be our greatest joy We pass along too much unconcerned about the great work.
These are duties assigned us by our great law giver and benefactor. He is blessing us with every
thing needful, there is nothing we can do even to sustain these bodies and prepare them for a
future state of existence only as we receive ability from Him who is head of the church. The Lord
Jesus Christ. We are poor and helpless, but through faith we read that he is not willing that any be
lost from that home. He is of long forbearance and proceeds through the instrument of the Holy
Spirit to discharge the duties of which I have alluded. We are bound by the gospel to do justice,
love mercy and walk humbly before Him. This, however is contrary to our human nature,
consequently we have a cross to bear. This cross is in the natural inclination. I believe the carnal
will of man has kept many away from the blessed home which he has promised to the righteous.
Let us not walk in the council of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of
the scornful, but rejoice and delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his righteous day and
night. Don't let us be forgetful my dear friends of the great object of our being here in the world.
the time will soon pass away for us to prepare for a future life. It does seem a very awful and
solemn thing to me that a man or a woman for whom Christ offered himself to be nailed upon the
cross in order that we might live hereafter with him should for a few days of sin and pleasure
deprive themselves of that great promised enjoyment.