Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-08
Almost Home.

Every one must have observed lately the
remarkable number Of sudden deaths. A
Christian merchant leans upon his wiieis
srm TO walk across his own bed-ehamoer'
and falls motioul IS at her ieet. a beloved
psslor. fresh from the blessed scenes OF
peptecost in his Church, is stricken win
oaraIvsis-excsims, "this is DEATH. lies
down on his pillow. and sooa sinks gently
into the sleep that "knows no waking" A
venerable professor is snatched IRON his
theological class before he can speak to
them MS faiherlp farewell. Even nov
whilee writing This paragraph, hear that
an old friend and Church member iel! dead
few hours since among the flower beds OF
his own garden From al these new-msGe
graves q solemn voice whispers, "Be ye also
ready, for now is your salvation nearer
shan when ye believed" lie who writes,
and those who read this article, may be al
most home.
On board ship every one is watching and
waiting for land. Day alter day, week
after week, there has been noting around
them but old oceaa's blue and melancholy
waste. They are thoroughly home sick for
the shore. How they watch the log SS IT
is drawn up dripping on the deck. How
they wait tor the uplifting OF the iead.--
How through the darkness, when nlghl
comes on, their eyes strain for the hfst
glimmer of the lighthouse lantern oSe- The
dark rolling waters! "Land hO!' is cry
that v i'll lift a sick man from his berth. Il
well.n nigh bresihes egain the breath of life
into :he wasting consumptive. Nearer
land is nearer home. Nearer home is near
or hearts-Desrer happiness. Every swing
of the ship lifts them onward toward the
longed for haven.
Methinks we have hesrd many cries OF
land 10! lately. Why should it startle Us!
WAy alarm usi Ii only means to the
Christian almost home. II means that tie
sea.sickness of life's long voyage vii! soon
be over. Il means that the load Of care
will soon be taken off our shoulders. 1t
means sin viii soon lose its wretched hold
on u.s.. that grief will ere long wiring from
Us the last tear, and affiiction will soon
send It's last heart-ache. 1t means that the
building OF God, eterna! in ;he heavens, is
almost in sight. Our eyes shall soon see
il, built up with architecture OF massive
light. Our feet shall soon stand within the
gates Of pearl Upon our ears shall coon
swell the sersphic chorus of the redeemed
We shall beho Id the Lamb in the midst
thereof. and be forever with the Lord. =
Brother voyager to heaven. write at the
Loot of every days journal Of life, "almosi
home" Hush the anxious WORKINGS Of
your soul with these sweet, soothing words
"aln,ost home" Tell them TO your COM
planning spirit. And as mother comfortetf
her weary infant toward nightfall with The
constant assurance, we will soon be there,
so our beloved Mother is continually say ing
TO US, Be of good cheer, ye are almost home
~ zone sweetly solemn thought
Come to me DER and DER,
I'm nearer my HON to-day
Than I've ever been before.
e-s = Near my Fathers house,
- = Where the many mansions be;
Near the great white throne,
Near he jaspcrseas
Nearer the bound of iiie.
Where lay my bUTlen down,
Nearer leaving my Gro :,
Nearer wearing my CROWN"
I. l.. CuyleT.