Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-17
Nearing the City.

1t is not uncommon for the worn trav-
eler, in the near approach 10 a large
earthly metropolis, TO experience sensa-
| tions that are both new and peculiar
Constantly increasing indications of cul-
ture, ever developing beauties in the land
scape, and exhibitions of stirring life in
new varieties of aspect, attract his gaze,
till the eye becomes the inlet of enjoy
ment altogether new. And if, as often
happens, the Ginning of bells or the
strains of music are borne to his ear from
the nearing city, they are all the more
delicious when they come to him across
the waters Of some stream that yet sep
arates him from the gate of entrance
This rapt emotion may thus increase, till
the weary pilgrim forgets all his weari-
ness, and is at length absorbed with the
wonders and splendors of the city itself.
And so is it often with the Christian
pilgrim whose journey draws near its
close. 1t has been said that " the open
ings Ofthe streets of heaven are on earth"
And The Revelator tells US Of scene in
which "a door was opened in heaven"
through which he could look in upon the
celestial throne even while he stood upon
the island Of his lonely exile. The pill
grimage Of the Christian terminates by
entering, direct from earth, this open door
into the heavenly city. And who that
has been privileged to stand by Christian
death-beds have not noticed, oftentimes
in the dying, a wonderful absorption of
soul with the opening beauties Of the
spiritual landscape as they approached |
the golden gates? They see what others
do not see; what they themselves never
saw before. They hear what they never
heard betore-strains Of angel music.
chimes from the celestial shore. all the
more sweet for having come across the
lark waters Of the dark river yet to be
crossed. The often quoted and thrilling
words of the dying Payson may seem to
ome like a mere outburst of poetry or
ieIrom; but many and many pilgrim,
learing the city, knows they are true
of actual experience. He
peaks from the land of Beulah " The
Celestial City is full in my view its glo-
les beam upon me its breezes fan me
IS odors are waited to me: its sounds
trike upon my ears, and its spirit is d
reathed into my heart; nothing separ-
ties me from it but the river of death"
The seraphic man" thus speaks from
land where "the fragrance of spicy
roves is waited to the raptured senses,
re the gardens of Immortality are them :,
lives in sight" They yet lie concealed
ithin the city. OF this land of Beulah, 7
le master of Christian allegory says
In this country the sun shineth night y
I'd day, wherefore, this is beyond the
alley of the Shadow OF Death, and also i
It of the reach of Giant Despair; nei- It
er could the pilgrims from this place
much as see Doubling Castle. Here
ey were within sight of the city they "a
ere going to; also, here met them some !"
the inhabitants thereof; for in this :"
nd the shining ones commonly walked,
cause it was upon the borders of hea ~
n"
And these joys, experienced on the
ny, and especially in the near approach
heaven, prepared the pilgrim for that ~
mess of which awaits him heaven or,
nd o, if, as he draws near the city, be d"
n enjoy so much-see around it and wi
rough its gate, "left ajar," so much to pr
light in, and hear, as he fingers near =, T
, portal ready to enter in, such won he
)us strains-what shall be said of bis CO..
IS as he enters the open gates, and sol
lks the golden streets, and mingles in ar,
rapturous scenes, and joins in the ed
mortal songs Of heaven itself? VII