Middletown transcript., 1899-12-30


sions, IL we would see our real Home.
She sang once as we do now, We are
going home to die no more" Here is the
nav song now, with loftier notes and
richer melody; we shall soon overtake her
and miDgle our voices once more with
Those loved long since and lost awhile, =
and 90 on together forever.
{ One might think we need not sorrow for
Mother Burris, who was like a shock Of
corn fully ripe for the garner. who had
finished her day of toll, and was only wait
ing for the train to stop at the celestial
destination. But death leaves anguish
along his pathway everywhere. Suffering
is God-appointed, and, though we know for
her ITO die is gain" we know it means the
beautiful garments of the saints, the bloom
and beauty of immortal youth. the free
dom from all pain and sorrow, the gazing
upon the King in His beauty, the fellow
ship of the loved faces gone before and of
myriads of being in the family of our
Father, yea. and thousandfold more glory
than we can imagine, still on the earthly
side, Mother is gone. Her voice is silent,
her form is laid away, she is not to us, for
God has taken her TO His Eternal Home,
and we can only look the way she took in
her upward flight, and follow on.
It is said that Titan loved the twilight,
because he could see the colors of things
with deeper truth than in the brightest
sunshine. Do we not, in the twilight of
bereavement, have clearer visions Of Gods
beautiful verities, does not the unseen with
Its golden glories stand forth in bolder re-.
lief against the dark background of mys-
terious proyidences2 All nature and all
spiritual things seem illumined with the
transfguring halo of sorrow. The old
light was bright, but it had not the mellow
ness, the soft rosy tints of this light (which
never was on land or sea-" this intermedi-
ate glory between earth and heaven.
Truly, sorrow is exquisite agony No
wonder at times we do not know whether
to shout or cry.
The heart seems Eroken, only that more,
even the fullness oflove can get inside. and
what appears our loss results in unspeak-
able gain. Jesus never was so near as
when he walks with us in the valley, and
the separating veil never was so thin, as it
is to-day.
Death seems to us only the bend in the
River oftIife, around which our loved ones
have passed, while we sail on towards the
same desired haven. 1t is otgrowing old
when we are going towards perennial
youth. 1t is not death; it is the shell break
ing that the bird of paradise may soar
above, forever free; it is not night when the
Sun of Righteousness bursts upon the
enraptured vision.
'sThe night is gone, and with the morn,
those angel faces SMILE"
1t is not gloom when the Bridegroom
rises and draws His beloved unto Him.
Over such an event is it not fitting to sing
praises2 To join with the songs of angels
as they welcome another redeemed spirit to
their happy company? Are not these COM
forting thoughts to our stricken hearts?
Are we not more in love with our holy
than ever before? When we
know the dark valley is so bright with
sweet sunshine, so resonant with celestial
voices, so beautiful with the seven fold
colors of light that was only white before
passing through the souls prism of sorrow.
Jesus. the Light of the world, the re-
and the life, the sours only hope,
He comes from glory and His face beams
With the amaranthine splendors of the
heavenly home. He says to us, "Let not
your heart be troubled; in my Fathers
house are many mansions. I have place
prepared for you, that where am there We
nay be also."
Dear friends and loved ones, lei US to-day
hink Of the sainted mother as three days
I'D in heaven. Her first heavenly Christ
mas is passed, she has gazed upon the King
n His beauty, she has met those long ago
lscended. She has looked upon scenes too
iazzling for mortal eyes, she has opened
he pearly doors of her mansions; she is
brewer with the Lord.
May we thus think of her as the days go
~.
One less at homei 4
he charmed circle broken-a dear face
Kissed day by day from Its accustomed place
But, cleansed, and saved, and perfected grace
One more In heaven!
One less at home!
\ sense Of loss that meets us at the gate!
Within place untitled and desoIate;
IND faraway our coming to await,
One more in heaven!
One less on earth!
is pain, its sorrow, and its toll to share:
me less the pilg rims daily cross to bear=
me more the crown OF ransomed saints tn /
wear,
At home in heaven!
One more at home!
hat home where separation cannot be-
hat home where none are missed eternaIly. |
ord Jesus, grant us all place with Thee,
Athome in heaven.
Qnterment was held in Forest Cemetery
u Wednesday, Dec. 9th. after services at
lie house. Father Burris died Jan. %.