Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-03-07
HAPPINESS.
Extract from an Address on Happiness
Delivered before st. Bethlehem Sum
day School by g. H. Slaughter, Sup
erintendent.
OUR LAST STORM OF EARTH.

OF these would make us perfectly hap
Ply. Now, even suppose it were posi-
bic for us to possess the far-famed
(fabled) wonderful lamp of Aladdin,
which would Gas stated in fction) bring
to us with simple wish gold and jew
els from the four quarters of the world
for our use in any way we chose to use
them. velvets, silks and cloths of every
kind and grade with which we might |
robe ourselves with more magnifcence
than can any king or queen on earth,
and every delicacy to eat or drink that
mortal could wish for of earthly pro-
duction. Even then, with all of these |
our lives might still be likened unto
the beautiful horizon above and |
around us. Some days it is bright |
and clear, with not a single cloud to |
mar the beautiful and glorious pros
pect above us. Some days little clouds
will appear and partially obscure the
heavenly prospect of a few days ago.
Then again, still darker and more
lowering clouds will come, hover DER
our heads, obscure our brightness for
while, then gradually pass away, leav-
ing a calm, serene sky; but not so joy
fully bright and gay as before. Then
again, at last, far away in the distant
skies, we see arising a small and at first
Insignificant cloud; butsoon it becomes
larger, darker, and more threatening
1t, like many others before it, may
dissolve and pass away and leave our
sky again bright and calm, but we do
not know that it will, for the atmos-
phere is very hot and sultry, and all
things so far as we can see around us
portends storm. The cloud slowly
but surely arises higher and higher,
and as it arises it becomes more black
and begins to stretch itself far across
the horizon. The lightnings begin to
flash, and the roaring of the distant
thunders tell us that the terrible storm
that every human being of earth must
meet is almost at our own doors. a
Are we prepared to meet it? Have
we gathered our folds within such
strong holds as will stand the tests of
the great storm upon us? Are our
treasures stored away in such places
as we may be certain of finding them
again when the storm is hushed with
us forever? Are they in that good
bank Where moth nor rust can cor
rupt, nor thieves break through and
steal?' Is our house in which we
dwell built upon sands, or are the
foundations of rock, that the storm
and rains may descend and beat upon
it and move it not?" And at last have
we done all things well on earth, and
are we fully prepared to take that long
and unknown journey that millions
have taken before us? All, if we can
answer yea to these questions it will
bring US such happiness as we did not
expect to find in this dark and stormy
hour; such calm and real happiness as
many never know on earth. With a
sad, but sweet and happy smile we can
offer our hands and lips to Borrowing
friends and loved ones as they thrcng
around us on the banks of stormy
Jordan to bid us last, long farewell.
And as we take our place upon the
noble ship of Zion, with radiant smiles
of heavenly JOY on our countenance,
we can tell them of the glorious hap
piness of heaven and ask them to be
good and meet US there.
But we will turn from mourning
friends whom we must leave standing
n the banks of the stormy rivers nor
will we look back at those who, having
failed to prepare for this terrible storm,
are fearfully struggling and drowning
amid the dark and gloomy waters. But
We will lock ahead, and as our noble
vessel approaches "Canaan's fair and
Apply land where all of our treasures
are" what a glorious and beautiful
sight meets our view. We have passed
far beyond the bounds of the dark and
rageing storm; not a vestige or sign of
it remains to be seen; even the black
and troubled waters upon which our
noble ship in triumph rides, have be-
come calm and as clear as chrystal
Every cloud has passed away from our
view forever, and not speck can be
seen upon the far distant horizon above
us, and the sun is shedding its most
radiant rays of soft and mellow light
on the magnificent scene around us.
Beautiful boats with silken sails and
laden with joyful and happy beings
are sailing to and fro DER this heaven
ly harbour of rest, this beautiful lake
OF clear and chrystal waters. Above
US, and around us on every side, come
to us on the enlivening breeze gentle
strains of the most beautiful, pure and
enchanting music of heaven. At
length We approach the beautiful,
moss covered, fowery shores before us,
aud as we stand upon the deck of our
noble ship and cast our eyes ahead.
what is it that meets our view? All,
no mortal mind can conceive, nor
mortal tongue can tell, or pen portray
the glorious scene that lies before US
for it is Heavenl The New Jerusa-
lem! The great eternal city Of God
The home of our Saviour and of all
who call upon His Name in trusting
faith and love and obey His command
ments.
Its walls are all OF precious stones,
Its streets are paved with gold"
Its mansions are all more beautiful
than mortal eye on earth hath ever
beheld its streets are all bordered
with beds of sweet scented grasses and
lined with endless rows of beautiful
trees of blooming evergreens; mag
nifcent parks, whose stately trees are
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