THE MANSIONS OF THE BLEST.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
REFLECTING to-day upon the piercing sorrows and anxious cares of this life, its perished expectations and blasted hopes, its pinching poverty and deep distress, which visits so many dwellings and hearts, and upon the sighs and groans of the oppressed, I was greatly comforted by calling to mind the following precious promise of the dear Saviour. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John xiv, 2, 3. Many mansions! O, who would not patiently and perseveringly toil on a little longer, sustained and urged forward with the blessed hope of entering those heavenly mansions? Not many long tedious years in the future; for fulfilling prophecies and unfolding signs, tell us that Jesus' coming is near. “O! ’twere sweet to toil in sadness,
O! ’twere well the cross to bear,
If, at last, in joy and gladness,
We may rest forever there.” There is a pale-faced, wasted form, dwelling in her hut of poverty and destitution, while plenty and convenience smile around her, as if in mockery of her pitiful condition. But that shanty, so familiar with your tears and groans, is not long to be your home. No, soon it will be exchanged for a mansion with the blest, if faithful. Jesus will pass none of his dear followers by because of their poverty. “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” Nowhere in the book of God is it said, Blessed be ye rich. But “woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.” The sacred volume of inspiration brings words of comfort and consolation to the hearts of mourners. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” To-day a place may be found in the heart of the mourner, which all the kind looks and generous acts of dear friends do not quite reach, a vacancy which may not be supplied; but remember dear brother or sister, that earth's sorrows hasten to a close. That soon the “ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isa. xxxv, 10. O, happy people! O, inexpressible consolation! Do friends forsake, and enemies revile you, for Christ's sake? O bear in mind the unspeakable blessedness of a mansion among the blood-washed throng. Think of the joy, the peace and unmingled happiness with which every heart will overflow. Eternity will be only just long enough to unfold the beauties and reveal the realities of the heavenly mansions. Dejected and despairing ones, turn your eyes away from the perplexing cares, the sinking, drowning trials of life, upward to your heavenly home; and let your chains of bondage and fear be broken. Let your doubts be gone. Fix your mind on the merits of Him “whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Rom. iii, 25, 26. “Faith lifts the vail before our eyes,
And bids us view a happier clime,
Where verdant fields in beauty rise,
Beyond the withering blast of time;
And brings the blissful moment near,
When we in glory shall appear.”