The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-08-30


seem to come tous. We go on the banks
of the Jordan and call across to them,
/ but tney don't seem to hear. We say:
/ 'Is it well with the child? Is it well
with the loved ones?' and we listen to
| hear if any voice comes back over the
waters. Nonei nonei Unbelief says:
''They are dead and extinct forever,
but, blessed be God, we have Bible
that tells us different. We open it and
find that they are neither dead nor ex-
| tinct-that they were never so much
alive as now-that they are only wait
ing for our coming, and that we shall
soon join them on the other side of the
river. oh, glorious reunion; we cannot
grasp it now. Eye hath not SEEN nor
ear heard. neither have entered into
the heart of man the things that God
hath prepared for them that love
Him."
remark again, we can in this world
get no idea of the song of Heaven. You
know there is nothing more inspiritin0
than music. In the battle of Waterloo.
the Highlanders were giving way, and
Wellington found out that the bands
of music had ceased playing. He sent
a quick dispatch, telling them to play,
with utmost spirit, a battle march.
The music started, the Highlanders
were rallied. and they dashed on till
the day was won. We appreciate the
power of secular music; but do we ap-
preciate the power of sacred song?
There is nothing more inspiring to
me than a whole congregation lifted
up on the wave of holy melody. When
we sing some of those dear old
psalms and tunes they rouse all the
memories of the past Why, some of
them were cradle songs in our fathers
house. They are all sparkling with
the morning dew of thousand Chris
tian Sabbaths. They were sung by
brothers and sisters gone now-by
voices that were aged and broken in
the music-voices none the less sweet
because they did tremble and break.
When | hear these old songs sung, il
seems as if all the old country meeting
homes Joined in the chorus, and Scotch
kirk and Sailors Bethel and western
cabins. until the whole continent lifts
the doXology and the scepters of eter'
nitv beat time to the music. Away.
then, with your starveling tunes that
chill the devotions of the sanctuary.
and make the people sit silent when
Jesus is coming to hosanna.
But, my friends. if music on earth is
so sweet. what will it be in Heaven.
They all know the tune there. Me
thinks the tune of Heaven will be made
up partly from the songs of earth; the
best parts of all our hymns and tunes
gong to add to the song of Moses an0
the Lamb All the best singers OF
all the ages will join it-choirs OF
white robed children, choirs OF
patriarchs! choirs of apostles! Morning
stars clapping their cymbals. Harpers
with their harps. Great anthems OF
God. roll on, roll on.-other empires
joining the harmony till the thrones
are full of it, and the nations all saved.
Anthem shall touch anthem, chorus
join chorus, and all the sweet sound:
of earth and Heaven be poured into
the ear of Christ. David of the harF
will be there. Gabriel of the trumphe'
will be there. Germany, redeemed
will pour its deep bass voice into the
song, and Africa will add to the music
with her matchless voices.
wish we could anticipate that song
| wish in the closing hymns of the
churches to-day we might catch an
echo that slips from the gates. Who
knows but that when the heavenly
door opens to-day to let some soul
through, there may come forth the
strain of the jubilant voices until we
catch it? Oh, that as the song drops
down from Heaven it might meet halt
way song coming up from earth.