Home by Sarah J. Thayer

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1864

Home.

By Sarah J. Thayer

LET one who no longer resides under the parental roof, hear in a distant land the simple word "home," and it at once awakens a thousand tender recollections; it tells of a loved circle far away; it pictures the father and mother, the brothers and sisters, each in their respective places; it tells of the time when the absent one with them gathered around the table, to partake of the bounties of Heaven; it lingers around the few words spoken in grateful acknowledgment to the Giver of all good, while asking a continuance of his favors; it calls to mind the quiet hour of prayer, the reading of God's word, the petitions of loved ones, the hymn of praise, and the rich blessing of God which often came as a refreshing shower to cheer and comfort the home circle.

And if there is music in the sweet word "home," when it has reference to our earthly habitation, how doubly dear does it become when we turn from this world, where there is a sorrow connected with all our sweetest joys, and look up to the home of the righteous prepared in Heaven. There sin will never throw distraction or discord into our abode; there our loved ones will not droop, fade and pine away, while we behold the suffering which we cannot alleviate. No, sin with its evil can never enter our "Home in Heaven." Oh, in contrast with that blest home, our home here, be it ever so pleasant, is dark and lonely. And though friends, true and dear, gather around the fireside, our hearts will often wander from our present joys, to our eternal home, when our joys, too, will be everlasting. And we are nearing that home. The signs of the times warn us, that our Saviour soon will come; then shall the redeemed be gathered home. Let me be among that happy throng, and in peace behold "him whom my soul loveth." Let me share his smiles in my home here, and feast upon his love in Heaven forever. SARAH J. THAYER. Buckland, Mass.