In truth, such visitations would be too happy for this world; they would be incompatible with the nature of this imperfect state of being.  We are here placed in a mere scene of spiritual thraldom and restraint.  Our souls are shut in and limited by bounds and barriers; shackled by mortal infirmities, and subject to all the gross impediments of matter.  In vain would they seek to act independently of the body, and to mingle together in spiritual intercourse.  They can only act here through their fleshy organs.  Their earthly loves are made up of transient embraces and long separations.  The most intimate friendship, of what brief and scattered portions of time does it consist!  We take each other by the hand, and we exchange a few words and looks of kindness, and we rejoice together for a few short moments-and then days, months, years intervene, and we see and know nothing of each other.  Or, granting that we dwell together for the full season of this our mortal life, the grave soon closes its gates between us, and then our spirits are doomed to remain in separation and widowhood; until they meet again in that more perfect state of being, where soul will dwell with soul in blissful communion, and there will be neither death, nor absence, nor any thing else to interrupt our felicity.

* * * * *

In the foregoing paper, I have alluded to the writings of some of the old Jewish rabbis.  They abound with wild theories; but among them are many truly poetical flights; and their ideas are often very beautifully expressed.  Their speculations on the nature of angels are curious and fanciful, though much resembling the doctrines of the ancient philosophers.  In the writings of the Rabbi Eleazer is an account of the temptation of our first parents, and the fall of the angels, which the parson pointed out to me as having probably furnished some of the groundwork for “Paradise Lost.”

According to Eleazer, the ministering angels said to the Deity, “What is there in man, that thou makest him of such importance?  Is he any thing else than vanity? for he can scarcely reason a little on terrestrial things.”  To which God replied, “Do you imagine that I will be exalted and glorified only by you here above?  I am the same below that I am here.  Who is there among you that can call all the creatures by their names?” There was none found among them that could do so.  At that moment Adam arose, and called all the creatures by their names.  Seeing which, the ministering angels said among themselves, “Let us consult together how we may cause Adam to sin against the Creator, otherwise he will not fail to become our master.”

Sammael, who was a great prince in the heavens, was present at this council, with the saints of the first order, and the seraphim of six bands.  Sammael chose several out of the twelve orders to accompany him, and descended below, for the purpose of visiting all the creatures which God had created.  He found none more cunning and more fit to do evil than the serpent.