Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-30
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 50. 1860.



HEAVEN is NY lIoME.-Searceiy is there
any theme on which the mind can dwell
with greater profit, than the prospect await
ing Us. OF home eternal in the heavens"
1t wcans our thoughts from things OF earth,
lrosens our hold on the perishabe objects OF
sense. and fixes the affections more strongly
on serious and heavenly things, to muse ha-
oitually on the glories of the upper world.
The more we contemplate this glorious home,
the better we will love it, and the more ar
IDENTIFY will we desire to enjoy lis bliss: and
as we contrast IFS giorlcs with the plea
surcs this world offers, we are drawn nearer
to it in spirit, and less and less attractive does
this world appear. We love earth less as we
love Heaven more. With the mind fixed On
Heaven, we will be enabled to live above this
worlds allurements, breathing an atmos-
phere sublime where the treasure is, there
will the heart lie also" Then ii our hearts
were drawn towards our heavenly treasure,
would not the Christian advance more rapid
", and should we not have less reason to
exclaim, My leanness, oh. my leanness."
Unless we accuston ourselves 10 reflection on
our home beyond the sky, our vision becomes
so earth bound that the soul grows near-slsht-
ed, and we fail TO descry the Highlands of
Heaven" Over the surglng waters OF the
Dark River arises mist, that will pur-
chance shut out the sight OF homeland 1t
is only by gazing steadily and long, that we
distinctly see the distant hills and River OF
Life, flowing though the garden OF God
How delightful to lift the eye above the
scenes of time, and say confidently
There is my house. my portion fair,
Ny treasure and my heart are there,
And my abiding home
Ind what a glorious home it is In vain
re assay to picture its loveiincss-'eye hath
not seen" nor the heart conceived what God
has prepared for those who love Him. Worn
nth life's cares, wearied with its tolls, in
that home the pilgrim will find reSt.-the
last drop of sorrow will be quafed here-tor
in the better land mo sorrow is breathed IN
the air." land God shall wipe away all
ears" The glory Of the Lord enlightens
It, and the Lamb is the light thereof -
What an endless day: and how mysterious
and lovely the light. Its sky all cloudless,
needing neither sun or moon. Pain and
infrmity are forever excluded from those
climes Of light The footprints of Death are
Nowhere seen throughout that land-there
Lis sway is untelt and unfeared.
The idea Of home suggests family circle:
and what a united band compoScs that home
circle The links in that chain are all of
refined polished gold; gold tried in liteS fire,
and are now enduring links. never, never to
be again severed. Herc the chain Of union
is brittle; teartully, Sady brittle are the
links of mortality but III that home, the
chain of loved ones are everlasting. Mem
Ders of our household are there; each living
being on EARTH | trow, has some loved one
rs his magnet in that home. AS we advance
in life the ties in Heaven increase, till the
largest number are on the other side. How
good is God to give US these natural synpa-
.hies that bind us to the Heavenly world -
. there is rapture in the thought + meeting
our loved and lost, and blending our voices
with those who have passed on before, III the
anthem of praise ito Him who hath loved
us" forever and ever! Bright, glorious
prospect, We shall see God and be like
I'm. God dwells in that home: lie who
loved us prepared for us the place; His pre-
sence is the glory OF Heaven.
Reader, have you this hope Of Heaven:
20 not live without it; it's the sureSt, best
OSlm for litc's every woe. Lift the eye,
train the SOULS vision, and catch a glimpse
of that house eternal i'll the heavens. Ii
will do the heart good; it will blunt lile's
trials; it will nerve us ior temptations, ana
bring the sunshine of contentment into The
poor heart, though the lot be ever 50 deSol>.e
and dreary. Having this home awaiting Us,
let Us Ii, for it, and labor earnestly for 1t, by
perfecting holiness in the fear Of the Lord.
wv Cliff f. 5. G. Y.