Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-08-17
meavenwsra step..


Some one has beautifully said,
there are but three steps toward
heaven-"out OF self, unto Christ,
into glory" Thus, the very first
step in Christianity is full Of beau
ty. and full of the sweetest peace
that ever fell upon the troubled
deep of human hearts
One who lives for the gratifica-
ton Of self, has hours Of wretched
idleness waiting for some agreeable
occupation, or restiessly wondering
what viii come next on the fare bin
of excitement and entertainment
And after all, the spirit is not graft
fed, nor the lOngings satisfied, yet
how long IL takes them TO discover
that heavenly manna alone can ap-
pease soul-hunger. But when we
have stepped "out OF self" and in
scribed upon all the future duties
Of life, this Christian incentive, ''dO
IL heartily as unto the Lord" how
All things are Frightened by the
heavenly influence, and tasks grow
light beneath its magic power. The
heart is made "heavenly place in
Christ Jesus" for self and sordid
motives no longer reign in its peace
full realms, and there is almost rap
ture in the thought Of suppressing
every evil desire, every angry word,
every unkind impulse, for the sake
Of that dear Saviour whose life was
unmarked by a single fault, yet
whose cup flowed over with sorrow
and suffering. And when times
like these come TO our own hearts,
the bitterest agony, the seVerest
trial is sweetened by those words Of
love and patience ''fOr jesus sake"
and under the purity aud blessed
ness Of this feeling, we grow like
those OF whom it's said, "they shall
see God"
In the second step there is no
erring. "Him that cOmeth unto me,
/ will in no wise cast out" and as
long as we go "untO Jesus" so long
will we be strengthened and sus-
tained, so long viii we feel sure that
we are in the heavenly pathway,
that, with one radiant step, ends in
glory. Unto Jesusr" o, how full
of sweetness are those charming
words; for is it not glowing love or
melting sorrow that carries us, hour
by hour, TO our God, and as we
commune and walk the way of life
with Him, ou- hearts, like those OF
the disciples walking TO Emmaus,
ssbnrn within us?' Yes, unto Je-
sus will we go, day by day, FOR pur-
| ity OF heart, for heavenly love and
peace, for strength and grace TO
guide as into that final step Of glory.
| But here we must pause, for the
vail has not yet been lifted from our
eyes, and pen can never tell Of the
/ rapturous dreams and pictures that
have delighted our minds when con-
| templating the eternal home. We
know there is glory so great and
| Wondrous that IL hath not t'entered
into the mind of man to conceive"
and it is this that the Father hath
pr missed to all the faithful. It Is a
/ home sure and abiding, and should
we be called to It's distant portals
ere our loved ones are summoned,
how blissfull the thought of wait
ing in heavenly beauty for their
coming, and changing not ia love or
form, though long they tarry--
Blissful to wait where not 8 shadow
/ 10 stain the soul, and not trace Of
sorrow dim the greeting of souls in
the presence Of their God-wherc
only angel hands can touch US, aud
Gods smile be the sunlight of our
bright homes.
80, who would live Away, awry from his
Away from yOn heaven, that blissfuI
ra abode,
Where the ,riyers Of pleasure iiow bright
DER the plains, 49,. $50.
And the noontide OF glory e.ernally
reignsf