On the Border of Canaan by J. L. Prescott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1911

On the Border of Canaan

By J. L. Prescott

J. L. PRESCOTT

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105. Having reached a good old age,—eighty-three years on March 8, 1911,—like one standing upon the summit of a mountain, I readily trace the road I have traveled from childhood to the present time. My parents were devout Christians, and early taught me to fear God and reverence his Holy Word. While but a child, I began to serve the Lord, and to study his Word, portions of which I committed to memory. This had a molding influence on my life. It controlled my choice of my life companion, I being at liberty to marry only in the Lord. In my experience the wisdom of God’s Word stands approved. In our life-work that blessed Book has been to us what the polar star is to the mariner. It has discovered to us some of the errors of our early education, and safeguarded us from the strong delusion of Spiritualism and many other perils. It led us in early life to consecrate our hearts to the service of God, to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, to lay up our treasure in heaven; and we have found joy in the service of our dear Lord.

We have proved that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light, and he has given us rest as he promised. I have read the Bible through in course once every year for many years, besides my topical studies, and with increasing pleasure every year. Indeed, it is like the dawn of the glorious day, the rising of the day-star in the heart; and now, like Moses viewing the promised Canaan from Pisgah’s top, with the swelling Jordan rolling between, I am favored with wonderful views of our heavenly Canaan and its metropolis, the New Jerusalem, and those beautiful mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for his redeemed. Therefore I rejoice in the knowledge that he is very soon coming to gather his saints, and take them to this glorious kingdom. For this consummation of our hope I constantly pray.

“My heavenly home is bright and fair; Nor pain nor death can enter there; Its glittering towers the sun outshine; That heavenly mansion shall be mine.”