make us happy or miserable through an
endless vista of time? Is it not composed of an existence, in which
conscience, released from the delusions and weaknesses of the body,
sees all in its true colors, appreciates all, and punishes all? Such
an existence would make every man the keeper of the record of his own
transgressions, even to the most minute exactness. It would of itself
mete out perfect justice, since the sin would be seen amid its
accompanying facts, every aggravating or extenuating circumstance.
Each man would be strictly punished according to his talents. As no
one is without sin, it makes the necessity of an atonement
indispensable, and, in its most rigid interpretation, it exhibits the
truth of the scheme of salvation in the clearest colors. The soul, or
conscience, that can admit the necessary degree of faith in that
atonement, and in admitting, _feels_ its efficacy, throws the burthen
of its own transgressions away, and remains forever in the condition
of its original existence, pure, and consequently happy.

We do not presume to lay down a creed on this mighty and mysterious
matter, in which all have so deep an interest, and concerning which so
very small a portion of the human race think much, or think with any
clearness when it does become the subject of their passing thoughts at
all. We too well know our own ignorance to venture on dogmas which it
has probably been intended that the mind of man should not yet
grapple with and comprehend. To return to our subject.

Stephen Spike was now made to feel the incubus-load, which
perseverance in sin heaps on the breast of the reckless offender. What
was the most grievous of all, his power to shake off this dead weight
was diminished in precisely the same proportion as the burthen was
increased, the moral force of every man lessening in a very just ratio
to the magnitude of his delinquencies. Bitterly did this deep offender
struggle with his conscience, and little did his half-unsexed wife
know how to console or aid him. Jack had been superficially instructed
in the dogmas of her faith, in childhood and youth, as most persons
are instructed in what are termed Christian communities--had been made
to learn the Catechism, the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed--and had been
left to set up for herself on this small capital, in the great concern
of human existence, on her marriage and entrance on the active
business of life. When the manner in which she had passed th