Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-08-30

, "Oh, yes. That's what want TO go 10
heaven for. - But, " said the mission
airy, "suppose that Jesus should 60 away
from heaven, what them" II should fol,
low him." said the dying negro boy
"But if Jesus went down to hell, what
them" The dying boy thought for a
moment, and then he said, "Massa,
where Jesus is there can be no hell"
Oh, to stand in his presence! That
will be heaven Oh, to put our hand in
that hand which was wounded for us on
the cross-to 90 around amid all the
groups Of the redeemed and shake hands
with prophets and apostles and martyrs
and with our own dear, beloved ones |
That will be the great reunion. We can
not imagine it now, our loved ones seem
so far away. When we are in trouble
and lonesome, they don't seem to come
to us. We 90 on the banks Of the Jor-
dan and call across to them, but they
don't seem to hear We say: "Is it well
with the child? Is it well with the low
ed ones?" and we listen to hear if any
voice comes back over the waters. None !
Nonel Unbelief says, "They are dead
and extinct forever" but, blessed be
God, we have Bible that tells US diff
ferent. We open it and find that they
are neither dead nor extinct; that they
never were so much alive as now; that
they are only waiting for our coming,
and that we shall join them on the 9TH
er side Of the river. Oh, glorious re-
union, we cannot grasp it now Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart Of man the
things which God hath prepared for
them that love him. "
Sacred Song.
I remark again, we can in this world
get no idea Of the song Of heaven. You
know there is nothing more inspiriting
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, 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 appreciate the
power Of sacred song? There is nothing
more inspiring to me than whole con-
gregation 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 a thousand
Christian Sabbaths.
They were sung by brothers and Sis
ters gone now, by voices that were aged
and broken in the music, voices none
the less sweet because they did tremble
and break. When l hear these old songs
sung, it 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 conti-
nent lifts the doxology and the scepters
of eternity 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
going to add to the song Of Moses and
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 TIL
the thrones are full Of it and the ma
tions all saved. Anthem shall touch an
them, chorus join chorus, and all the
sweet sounds Of earth and heaven be
poured into the ear of Christ. David OF
the harp will be there. Gabriel OF the
trumpet will be there. Germany re
deemed will pour its deep bass voice in
TO the song, and Africa will add to the
music with her matchless voices.
Iwish we could anticipate that song.
wish in the closing hymns OF the
churches today we might catch an echo
that slips from the gates. Who knows
but that when the heavenly door opens
today to let some soul through there
NAV come forth the strain Of the Jubilant
voices until we catch it? Oh, that as the
song drops down from heaven it might
meet half way song coming up from
| earth