The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-10-12

| can and ought 10 give ourselves TO
the contemplation OF that solemn mo-
ment when to the soul me ends and
eternity be Gins. We must go through
that one pass. There IS no rounda-
bout way. no bypath. no circuitous
route. die we must, and A., will be
TO us a shameful occurrence or time
of admirable behavior. Our friends
NAV stretch out their hands 10 keep
us back. out no imploiation on their
part can hinder us They might offer
large retainers. but death would not
take the fec. The breath will fail.
and the eyes will close. and the heart
will stop. You may hang the couch
with gorgeous tape. try. but what doss
death care for bed curtains? You
may hang the room with the finest
works of art. but what does death
care for pictures You may an the
house with the wailings of a widow
hood and orphanage-does death mind
weeping?
This ought not TO be a depressing
theme. 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 yet I would not want To make this
nv eternal residence. l love TO watch
the clouds and 10 battle my soul in the
blue sea OF A,aven. but expect when
the Armament Is rolled away as a
scroll TO see new Heaven. grander.
higher and more glorious. You ought
10 be willing TO exchange your body
that has headaches and side aches and
weaknesses iunumerable. that limps
with the stone bruises or testers with
the thorn or flames on the funeral
pyre Of fevers. for an incorruptible
body and an eye that blinks not be-
fore the jasper gates aud the great
white throne. But between that and
this there is an hour about which M
man should be reckless or foolhardyl
/ doubt not yonr courage. but I tell
YOU that you will want something bet
ter than a strong arm, good aim and
a trusty sword when YOU cone 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. II may be bright duy
when you push of from the planet
or IL may be dark night and while the
owl is hooting from the forest. II
may be spring. and your soul may 20
ont among the blossoms. apple or
ehards swinging their censers In the
way. II may be winter and the earth
in a snow shroud. II may be autumn
ard the forests set on fire by the re-
treating year; dead nature laid out IN
state. IL may be with your wifes
hand in your hand OF you maybe In
strange hotel with a servant faithful
to the last. IL may be in the rail train
shot or the switch and tumbling M
long reverberation down the embanki
ment crash, crashl / know not a 1
/ time; Z know not the mode. but tl-l
days OF our life are being subiracief
away. and we shall come down TO fhe
/ time when we have but ten days eft,
then nine days. then eight days. five
days, four days, three days, two Gays,
one day. Then hours. three hours.
two hours. one hour. Then only min
utes left. five minutes. four minmes.
three minutes. two minutes. one min
ute. Then only seconds left, four Zee
onds. three seconds. two seconds. enc
second Gone. The chapter Of lfe
ended. Inc book closed, The pulies
at rest The feet through with the
journey, The hands closed from all
/ work. No word on the lips No
breath in the nostrils. Hair combed
back TO lie undsslseveled by any hui
man hands. The muscles still. The
nerves still. The lungs still. The
tongue still. All still You might put
the stethoscope TO breast and hear no
sound You might put a speaking
trumpet to the ear. but you could not
wake the deafness No motion. No
throb. No life. Still Still!
On earth with mary OF you The
evening is the happiest part of the 20
hours. You gather about the stand.
You talk and laugh and sing. You re-
count the day. You plan for the NOR
row. You have games and repariees.
Amid all the toll OF the day that is
the goal for which you run. and as
you take out your wa ch or Loo. az
the descending sun you brill with the
thought that il is toward evening.
So death comes to the disciple! What
il the sun OF life Is about to setp
Jesus is the dayspring from on high.
the perpetual morning of every ran
somed spirit. What IL the darkIess
comes? JesuOis the light Of the world
and OF Heaven. What though this
earthly house does crumble.? Jesus
has prepared a house OF many man
sions. Jesus is the anchor tL,t always
holds. Jesus Is the light that Is never
eclipsed. Jesus is the fountain that
is never exhausted. Jesus is the even.
ing star, hung up amid the gloom o.
the gathering night.
You are almost through with the
abuse and backbiting OF enemies.
They will call yon no more by evil
names. Your good deeds will not
longer be misinterpreted or your hon.
or filched. The troubles of earth will
end in the felicities of Heaven! To
ward evening. The bereayements Of
earth will soon be lifted! You will
not much longer stand pouring your
grief in the tomb like Rachel weeping
for her children or David mourning