Getting Closer Each Day
By Clara Edna Rosencrans
CAME across the above heading to a real estate advertisement the other day, and it seemed so suggestive, that I note a few thoughts which the appeal brought to my mind. The title first caught my eye, and my heart fairly stood still at the thought of the tremendous possibilities either for life or death, that face us in this crisis in the world’s history; for the end truly is “getting closer each day,” how close we may not know. The day, the hour, is fast drawing on when the last subscriptions can be made in God’s plan with the “stock bonus” of “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” “Beautiful for situation is Zion, the joy of the whole earth,” and we may each have a residence in that city,—a home on the banks of the River of Life, and a life that measures with the life of God. There is just one question: Will our applications be sent in in time? There is plenty of room for every one, but “there is a time for everything under the sun,” and we must see to it that our names are entered before the accounts are finally closed up. To those of us who feel that we have a “home over there,” there comes this question: How are we seeking to improve it? Are we adding to its beauty, stone by stone, planting trees of righteousness about it, drawing supplies from the River of Life for its crystal fountains? Does the lily unfold there its petals of spotless purity, and, amid its evergreen shadows, does the amaranth gleam forth,—emblem of a life eternal? The people who respond to the real estate firm are fitting up homes for, at best, a short sojourn. Yet notice how comfort and elegance are consulted in every particular. Note how earnestly they entreat their friends and relatives to become dwellers therein. Should it not put us to shame, when we think that this “home” which we claim to be earnestly seeking is to be ours forever, that everything we do to beautify it will6give lasting satisfaction, and that those of our friends who remain outside will suffer eternal death? Alas! how little we do to win them to loving allegiance to our King! and how little we strive to gain for them a freehold in the city of our God! Can we not at least become as earnest and zealous about this work, as are the people of this world, knowing what mighty issues are at stake? knowing, too, that this home is free to them and to us on one condition—that we accept it? Let us, then, strive to enter in, strive to learn the language of that city—the language of unselfish, loyal living—true, unshrinking service for our King, and thus bring some one home with us, to share the many mansions when they shall have been finished and our Sovereign says “Come.” Mountain Grove, Missouri.