Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-19
Dlyersities Of Glory.
prRrvA.L. sroSr. p.D.


There is peerage in glory There are
distinctions and diversties among the holy
and happy spirits Of heaven They do not
all walk on the same dead level Of felicity
and honor, nor all on the same supreme
heights. There are degrees of exaltation
and dignity. They are all holy aud happy.
They all wear the likeness OF Christ. They
sing one song. But there is still room for
a diversity Of Joy and reward. When John
looked in through the open gate he saw some
whose garments shone with an exceeding
lustre, Distinguishing them from their Eel.
lows; and he could not forbear asking,
"Who are those that are arrayed in white
raiment, and whence came they 2" And
Daniel testifes that =" they which turn many
10 righteousness shall shine as the stars for
ever and ever"
IL is on this testimony Of Daniel that
wish TO dwell Suppose a man converted on
his death-bed, his last breath expended on
his first believing prayer, and receiving, like
the dying thief, as he leaves this world, the
pledge of Jesus, d" To-day shalt thou be with
me in Paradise" lie goes up, indeed to
the celestial city. lie 10 saved. But he goes
alone None OF all whom he has known in
the feIowships Of this life pass through the
pearly gate with him In how many scenes
he has mingled. In how many associations
he has walked and talked and labored. But
while those ties were on him he was not a
lover Of Jesus. lie had never pleaded with
one soul, nor prayed for or with one soul, TO
bring him to the Saviour. lie is saved, but
nobody else is saved as the fruit OF his faith
full witnessing for the Master. Must not this
fact affect his rewardin heaven
Or take an indolent or timid Christian,
who has for many years been comforted with
the hope that Christ has accepted him who
has prayed daily, Thy kingdom come" and
who has helped 10 maintain Christian ordi-
nances, but who has no knowledge that any
soul has ever been brought TO repent and be-
lieve in jesus through his personal, direct,
efficient interpositon, and who goes home to
the presence Of his Lord in the evening Of
his days, with only this unevsntful story Of
his earthly experieuce-he may, indeed cast
his crown, with not one jewel sparkling in
its golden rim.
How different it will be with the faithful
aud untiring laborer, who has fundamentally
led many sons aud daughters to glory J
They will cluster around him amid the
groves Of the celestial Eden. They will seize
his robes and his hands, and hang upon him
with every demonstration OF immortal love
say, one after another, 4" had not been here
in this blessed heaven r. But for you, |
never had crossed the threshold of the house
OF prayer % But for you, had never left
my vices and my folliesl" But for you, !
had never given up my cold skepticism -
But for you. had never beut my stubborn
knees to ask forgiveness through aSaviours
blood 90 owe you my joy-my song, my
heritage in Tesus and His great salvation 10
your fidelity You would not give me up.
! resisted you, and struggled against the
light and the truth, but you kept hold Of Inc
! till came to the crucfx, and found pardon
and peace Z" Think Of his emotion as he
| hears such testimonies
And Jesus will call him near and thank
him, with words sweeter than music, for his
unrestng earthly labors in telling the story
of the cross and persuading men 70 trust
that redeeming grace.
All, it will be true in demonstrations more
than we can anticipate, that they that turn
many 10 righteousness shall shine as the
stars forever and ever.
I Brethren and friends. don't yon covet
these heavenly honors and Joys! 1t does
| not require learning TO win them. You
/ need not speak with eloquent lips. Without
( the influence Of place and position, YOU may
I win this reward. Souls are waiting for YOU.
/ Salvation is stakcd on your pleading, pray
/ ing, aud working. Every man in the com.
munity is accessible 10 you. Begin, and
the work will grow more facle and more
precious every day There will be an alb
sorbng taste and relish for it as you proceed
Be not wanting in this earnest type of effort
in these burdenad and fateful days.-Ih
! pgci6r