109
him again. — My sorrow is for Nathan himself. Eber answered gravely. Does my friend afflict himself with the superstitions which I pitied Aza for believing? Dost thou fear for the departed the beating of the sepulchre, or the torment of excessive heat while waiting for judgment, or the danger of the narrow way over the abyss?
Alas! I fear worse things than these.
What are the blessings which wait upon righteousness, cried Eber, if the lot of the righteous after death can be so fearful? Nathan loved God, and served him with all his heart: he was just towards man, and was as a father or a brother to all whom he could assist. He was pure in his life, and fervent in his hope of a better state. — Does not the blessing of God rest on the grave of such a man, as well as on his house?
Nay, replied Havilah, but he was an Infidel: and the Book says concerning the Jewish unbelievers, 'Do ye therefore believe in part of the book of the Law, and reject other part thereof? But whoso among you doeth this, shall have no other reward than shame in this life, and on the day of resurrection they shall be
