Newport weekly independent., 1902-05-23

III the days Of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know, thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment" The rich fool has his followers in the world to-day, and they are carelessly and heedIessly plunging forward to that fatal night when their souls shall be required of them, and all unprepared they will be ushered into the presence of their Maker. The words of our Lord plead with every soul: Seek first the King dom of God and His righteousness"- that is, first make your preparations for the moving day of the soul, secure your lease, signed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, for mansion in Heaven, and then you are ready to live in this world; "and all these things will be added to you" which are now talk ing first place in your life and heart. Never were truer words spoken thal, that one is not prepared to live until he is prepared to die.
 In what minor strain of disappoint- ing failure and solemn, measured tread the preacher in Ecclesiastes ushers in the death scene in the twelfth chapter. Life has been experienced in all it's varying phazes as the soul has en- deavored to find enjoyment and satis- faction in the things under the sun, and not in God. Everything is tried and the cry each time, as the utter emptiness of this worlds seeking is realized, is 'Nanity of vanities, all is vanity" In the presence of death man realizes his utter weakness and inn potency. As the friends and loved ones gather around the bier of the dear de- parted one and realize that the soul which had occupied that lifeless clay as home while in this world has gone into eternity and is face to face with it's realities, how the conversation loves to finger over the preparedness of that soul to meet it's God and find an entrance into Heaven. How we re- call words and deeds to reassure our hearts. We love to think of the loved one as in Heaven.
 The New Home. Our text calls it Mans long home," that is, his endur- ing or perpetual home. Bunyan's
 
 in his pilgrimage with such intense in- terest and blessed comfort, was ever journeying towards the home in the Celestial Kingdom, and all other places in life through which he passed were but temporary havens of rest and refreshment. The reality of the eter nal home could not be obscured by the glitter of gold, the pleasures of the world northe sophistry and arguments of his friends, ''for he endured as see- ing Him who is invisible" Abraham was but sojourner in this world, ''for he looked for a city which hath founda- tions, whose builder and maker is Cod" and flor such God hath prepared a city, Into that city finally returned the Lord Jesus Himself after the plan of salvation had been wrought out by His vicariOus death and amidst the welcoming chorus of the cherubim and seraphim, and the legions of angels, and the hosts of the redeemed. He set about fulfilling His promise, left as beacon light in the world, that in His Fathers House where were many man. slons, He went to prepare place for those who accepted Him as their Saviour.
 The Furnishing of the New Home. Did you ever catch the full signifi- canoe of Christ's comforting words just quoted? The mansions He re- fers to as being already in Gods Heaven. He says: "I go to prepare a place for you." As I watched heavily-loaded moving van pass the other day. l noted that it was laden with furniture old and new, but all of it with marks of service in the old home from which it had been taken. The old furniture was to be used in fitting out the new home. An, how differently has God planned for you and me. Jesus Christ, who is watching us day by day, is pre- pairing our mansions with just the things we need most and like best. As beautifully expressed in poem en- titled My Home," by Rev. Frances E. Townsley:
 ''He knows what things love the best, I What tokens of His grace I long to share. He knows my weakness and my need of
 And how to answer each unspoken prayer. His Home and mine! I can afford to walt. And waiting, smile; for One who needs me sore
 Is fitting up my Mansion. At Its gate
 He waits to open unto me the door.
 "He wooed me with Loves pleading, yearn- ing breath,
 He asked for me in dark Gethsemane: He trod for me the sepulcher of death, And lives, to claim my love eternally! And without me His joy is incomplete; One nlana Is arrn l,1,ti ..l..