What must it Be to be There!
By L. J. Shaw
WHO does not delight to think of the beauty and splendor of the holy city, the New Jerusalem, built of pure gold like unto pure glass; her walls of Jasper, gates of pearl, streets of gold; and her pure river of water of life. All that we can imagine will convey to our minds but a faint idea of the splendor of the saints' heavenly home. When we gather together what is gorgeous and precious and beautiful, in the visible creation, it will not compare with the final home of the saints, will not compass the greatness, nor exhibit the loveliness of the portion which awaits the people of God. As the shining company of the redeemed take the circuit of the celestial city, as they walk about Zion, and go about her, "telling the towers thereof, marking well her bulwarks and considering her palaces," who can doubt that they say one to another, As we have heard so have we seen in the city of our God. We heard that here the wicked cease from troubling, and now we experience that heavenly peace and rest. We heard that here we should be with the Lord, and now we behold him face to face. We heard that here we should know, even as we are known, and now the ample page of truth is open to our inspection. We heard that here, with the crown on the head and harp in the hand, we should execute the will, and hymn the praises of our God, and now we wear the diadem, and wake the melody. They can take to themselves the words which the dying leader, Joshua, used of the Israelites. "Not one thing hath failed us of all the good things which the Lord our God spake concerning us; all are come to pass, and not one thing hath failed thereof." Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions; 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." How59vain must be our hope of entering into Heaven, into those mansions prepared, if we have no present delight in what are said to be its joys! Is it not good to hope and wait when each moment may add a jewel to the crown? And shall it be said of any among us, that they heard of Heaven, but made no effort to behold it? Are there any who can be indifferent to the announcement of its glories? Is there one who can feel utterly careless whether he ever prove for himself that it is indeed a surpassingly fair land, which is to be the everlasting home of those that love God and keep his commandments? The walls of that city shall never decay. The lustre of that city shall never grow dim. The melodies of that city shall never be hushed. And is it of a city such as this that any one of us should be indifferent? Who would think that any, old or young, rich or poor, would delay to make the solemn vow that they will seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, that they may share the glories of Heaven, where we shall feel his influence cheering and enlivening and supporting our frame, in a manner of which we now have no conception. Oh who will not adopt some such reflection and prayer as this; I have heard of Heaven; I have been told of its splendors and of its happiness; grant gracious Father, that I fall not at last to be associated with those who shall rejoicingly exclaim, As we have heard so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts; for he has promised that he that overcometh shall inherit all things.
L. J. SHAW.
Strykersville, N. Y.