that we are warranted to say
about their relation to us is, that what is revealed does not forbid,
but rather encourages, the thought that they are interested in us and
concerned for our happiness. If the angels rejoice over the conversion
of a sinner, are we to think that the spirits of just men made perfect
are strangers to this joy? They are within the veil, we cannot see them,
but we know they are in communion with God. The condition of the
departed saints is one of waiting as well as of progress. They have not
attained to fruition. There are doctrines which to them, as to us, are
still matters not of experience but of faith and hope. The souls of the
martyrs seen by John under the altar were in a state of expectation,
desiring and pleading as when in the flesh they had desired and pleaded
for the consummation of Messiah's kingdom; and from them the Apostle
heard the cry ascend, "How long, O Lord?"[197] Saints here and saints
who have passed through the valley into the unseen must surely hold many
beliefs in common. Both alike believe the promises of God, and
anticipate the glorious consummation for which they wait and watch, when
the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of the living God.
They believe in the resurrection of the body and in its reunion with the
soul for ever. They have common affections. Their love is given to the
same God. They have community of worship, and have communion in
thanksgiving, praise, and, may we not say, in prayer for the overthrow
of the kingdom of darkness and the advent of the kingdom of glory? As
those who are still in the body keep the New Testament feast, they feel
that there is fellowship between them and saints departed, seeing that
they honour the same Saviour, glory in the same cross, partake of the
same heavenly food, and look for the same inheritance of perfect
blessedness.

* * * * *

ARTICLE 10

_The Forgiveness of Sins_

The Creed acknowledges God as the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth; but there is another relation which He sustains to His creatures
besides those of Creator and Father. In Scripture He is represented as
the King, Ruler, Governor of the universe, who imposes laws upon all His
creatures, and requires of them scrupulous obedience. With the exception
of man, the visible creatures have these laws, from which they cannot
swerve, within their constitutions. The planet never deviates from its