The Progress., 1898-11-12

INTO Riofy, ana now the society OF HEAVIER
must have been improved! Suppose Paul
the apostle, were introduced into our 80
cial circle on earth; but heaven has addec
all the apostles. Suppose Hannah Nor,
and Charlotte Elizabeth were introduced
into your social circle on earth; but HEAVIER
has added all the blessed and the gracious
and the holy women OF the past ages. Sup.
pose that Robert M'Cheyne and John Sum,
mesfleld should be added to YOUR earth,
circle; but heaven has gathered up all the
FAITHFUL and earnest ministry Of the past
J""r" - rot '.CNn. or II rirv or n vilIn"u
that has so improved in society in the as
hundred years as heaven has improved.
Again: REMARK that heaven has greatly
improved in the good-cheer of announced
victories. Where heaven rejoiced over one
soul, it now rejoices over a hundred or a
thousand. In the olden times, when the
events of human life were scattered over
four or five centuries Of longevity, and the
world moved slowly, there were not SC
many stirring events to be reported in
heaven; but now, suppose, all the great
there Is any truth plainly taught in this
Bible 1t is that heaven is wrapped up in
sympathy with human history, and we
telegraphy, at swift communication by
steam, at all these modern improvements
which seem to give one almost omnipres-
ence-and We see only the secular relation:
but spirits before the throne look out and
see the vast and the eternal relation. While
nations rise and fall, while the earth is
shaking with revolution, do you not sup
pose there is arousing intelligence going
=, n 70 ho ~ God no. :
ton Is often asked before the throne,
"What is the news from that world-that
world that rebelled, but is coming back to
Its allegiance" II ministering spirits, ac-
cording to the Bible, are sent forth to
minister to those that shall be heirs of
heaven, when they come down to US to
bless US, do they not take the news back?
Do the ships OF light that come OUT of the
celestial harbor into the earthly harbor,
laden with cargoes Of blessing, 20 back
unfreighted9 Ministering spirits not only,
but our loved ones leaving US, take up the
tidinRs. Suppose you were in far city.
and had been there good while, and you
heard that some one had arrived from
your native place-sOme ons who had
recently seen your family and friends
you would rush up to that man, and you
would ask all about the old folks at home.
And do you not suppose when your child
went up to God, your glorifled kindred in
heaven gathered around aud asked about
you, to ascertain as to whether you were
getting along we'll in the struggle Of life;
to find out whether you were in any espe-
cial peril, that with swift and mighty
wing they might come down to intercept
your perils? Oh, yes! Heaven is
greater place for news than it used to be
news sounded through the streets, news
ringing from the towers, news heralded
from the palace gate. Glad news! Vic
torious paws!
Now. / SAY these things about the changes
IN heaven, about the new improvements IN
heaven, fer three stout reasons. First, be.
cause find that some of you are impa.
tient to be gone. You are tired of this
world, and you want to get into that good
land about which you have been thinking.
praying, and talking so many years. Now
be patient. could see why you would want
to 20 to an art gallery if some of the best
pictures we're to be taken away this week or
next week; but II some one tells you that
there are other beautiful pictures to come
other Kensetts, Raphaels, and Rubens:
other masterpieces to be added to the GAL
lery-you would say, II can afford to
wait. The place is improving all the
time" Now, Iwant you to apply the same
principle in this matter ofreaching heaven
aud leaving this world. Not one glory is
70 be subtracted, but many gories added.
Not one angel will be gone, not one hier-
arch gone, not one of your gIorihed friends
zone. BY the long practicing the music
will be better, the procession will be
onger, the rainbow brighter, the corona
ion grander. Heaven, with magnificent
,ddenda! Why will you complain when
you are only waiting for something better?
Another reason why speak in regard to
he changes in heaven, and the new i'm
in heaven, is because think 1t
will be consolation to busy and enterpris-
Dg good people. / see very we'll that you
rave not much taste for heaven that was
Ill done and finished centuries ago. After
'ou have been active forty or fifty or sixty
'cars 1t would be q shock to stop you sud-
lenly and forever; but here is a progressive
heaven, an eyer-accumulative heaven, vast
enterprise on foot there before the throne
" God. Aggressive knowledge, aggressive
aggressive power, aggressive
grandeur. You will not have to come and
lit down on the banks OF the river OF life
n everlasting inoccupation. o busy men,
tell you Of heaven where there is some
hing to dol That is the meaning Of the |
passage, "They rest not day nor night" in
he lazy sense OF resting.
lido not think 1t was superstitious when,
me Wednesday night, stood by death.
led within few blocks OF the church |
where preached, and on the same street,
I'D saw one Of the aged Christians Of the
hurch going into glory. After I had
'rayed with her / said to her, eve have
II loved you very much, and will always
herish your memory IN the Christian !
huron. You will see my son before I |
ee him, and I wish you would give him
ur love-" She said. II will, l will" and
Il twenty minutes she was in heaven
he last words she ever spoke. 1t was a
Witt message to the skies. II you had
our choice between riding in u heavenly
.iariot and occupying the grandest palace
1 heaven, and sitting on the throne next
ighest to the throne OF God, and not see.
~ your departed loved ones; and on the
ther hand, dwelling In the humblest place
, heaven, without crown or throne, ind
'ithout garland, and without sceptre, yet
aving your loved ones around you, you
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