Think of Heaven by Susan Elmer

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1875

Think of Heaven.

By Susan Elmer

"SET your affections on things above," says the inspired penman. Many are the reasons why we should do so. The first and strongest is, because it is the command of him who is our Creator, preserver, and benefactor; consequently he knows what is best to promote the happiness of his creatures. We find ourselves in a world of sin, suffering, and death. To-day we entertain high hopes; to-morrow those hopes are blasted; all is uncertain here. The ravages of death are daily making inroads among thousands of the inhabitants of earth.

To-day may be heard the cries of the widows and orphans whose husbands and fathers have fallen on the field of battle. There also stands the murderer with his hands stained with the blood of the innocent. As we reflect on the miseries of the earth, we exclaim with the poet:

"This groaning earth is too dark and drear. For the saints' eternal home."

And we truly feel that we should not set our affections on things beneath.

And what is earth compared to Heaven? Here is darkness; there is light. Here is a dungeon; there a palace. Here are sighs and groans and tears; there is heard from afar the songs of triumph and the shouts of the victor. Here we are called to part with the nearest and dearest friends; there all will be restored who now sleep in Jesus. Here is one common burying place; there will be no mound beneath which lies some cherished friend, but instead, green fields will be waving there, and sparkling rivulets coursing their way through flowery plains and beautiful forests.

Then let us think of these glories. By so doing earth will be less attractive; for how can we place our affections on that which is so soon to vanish away? How can we be charmed with that which only allures to destroy? Is there anything which can repay for the loss of Heaven, or aught that we would exchange for the joys of paradise? If not, let this be our greatest concern to secure a lasting treasure which we shall possess, when earth, with its short-lived glories shall have passed away. Susan Elmer