The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-08-14

mn there are times when we Gao
ana ought to give ourselves to the con-
temptation Of that solemn moment
when to the soul time ends and eter-
nitv begins. There is no roundabout
wav. no by-path, no circuitous route.
Me we must; and 1t will be to us a
shameful occurrence or time OF admir-
able behavior. Our friends may stretch
out their hands to keep us back, but no
imploration on their part can hinder ns.
They might offer large retainers, but
death would NOT take the fee The
breath will fail, and the eyes will
close. and the heart will stop. You
NAV hang the couch with gorgeous
taneAtry. but what does death care Tor
beautiful curtains? You may hang the
| rooa, with the finest works OF art, but
what does death care for pictures?
You may fill the house with the wall
| inQs of widowhood and orphanage,
does death mind weeping?
This ought not to be depressing
scene. who wants to live here for
ever? The world has always treated
me well, and every day feel less and
less like scolding and complaining.
But vet / would not want to make this
| nv eternal residence. love to watch
the clouds, and bathe my soul in the
blue sea of Heaven; but expect
| when the armament is rolled away
as a scroll to see new Heaven,
grander, higher and more glori-
Gus. You ought to be willing to ex-
| change your body that has headaches
i and sideaches and weaknesses innumer-
APPLE, that limps with the stone bruise,
or testers with the thorn, or flames on
the funeral pyre of fevers, for an incor-
ruptible body and an eye that blinks not
before the jasper gates and the great
white throne. But between that and
this there is an hour about which no
man should be reckless or toolhardy.
doubt not your courage, but tell
you that you will want something bet.
ter than strong arm, good aim and
trusty sword when you come to your
last battle. You will need better
robe than any you have in your ward
/ robe to keep you warm in that place.
Circumstances do not make SO much
difference. 1t may be bright day
when you push off from the planet, or
it NAV be dark night and while the
Iowl is hooting from the forest. 1t
may be spring, and your soul may go
out among the blossoms, apple or
chards swinging their censers IN
the way. It may be winter
and the earth in snow shroud.
1t may be autumn, and the 1orests
set on FIRE by the retreating year;
. dead nature laid out in state. 1t may
be with your wife's hand in your hand,
, or YOU may be in,a strange hotel with
. servant faithful to the last. 1t may be
in the rail train, shot off the switch
and tumbling in long reverberation
! down the embankment-cr crash!
know not the time;l know not the mode;
but the DAYS Of our life are being subs
! tracted away and we shall come down
!, to the time when we have but ten
! DAYS left, then nine days, then eight
! DAYS. then seven days. six days, five
: days, four days, three days, two days,
one day. Then hours; three hours,
! two hours. one hour. Then only
, minutes left; five minutes, four
: minutes, three minutes. two min.
! utes. one minute. Then only sec
: onds left; four seconds. three Sec
!. onds, two seconds, one second. Gone
i The chapter of life ended! The book
4 closed! The pulses at rest! The fee,
. through with the journey! The hands
= closed from all work. No word on tbs
: lips. No breath in the nostrils. Hail
q combed back to lie undisheveled by
4 any human hands. The muscles
i still. The nerves still The lungs still.
| 1cti1
= put the stethoscope to the breast anc
r hear no sound. You might put speak
r trumpet to the ear, but you could mol
o wake the deafness. No motion; ~
Il throb: no life. Still! Still!
o. So death comes to the disciple! VIVA
a if the sun of life is about to set? Jesus
fe is the day-spring from on high; thu
1T perpetual morning of every ransome
d spirit. What if the darkness comes
Jesus is the light of tin
as world and of Heaven What though
lr this earthly house does crumble! Jesu
TX has prepared house of many man
a sions Jesus is the anchor that al
" WAYS holds. Jesus is the ligh
al that is never eclipsed. Jesus is tn
ne fountain that is never exhausted
is Jesus is the evening star. hung u
IS amid the gloom of the gatherin
lis night!
ne You are almost through with .th
lr abuse and backbiting of enemies. The
ill will call you no more by evil name'
on Your good deeds will no longer be mil
in interpreted nor your honor flched. III
nd troubles of earth will end in the felic
I'd ties! Toward evening! The bereav'