St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-03-22
"Through the Gates into the City,"

"Through the Gates into the City"
We find beautiful picture in the Reve-
ation of St. John, OF the Heavenly City,
with its walls OF jasper, and streets OF
gold, and gatts of pearl. Every several
gate of one pearl" And, as we linger
with reyerent admiration at the wonder
iul vision before us, we soonge a glimpse
of the angels that stand at the gales, to
welcome the Corners there, and conduct
them within. But the vision does not
end here. We are permitted to look be.
yond the gates, and voice says, Come
and see" Through the eyes OF the saint
ed John, we behold great white throne,
with lamps OF fire burning before it, and
a beautiful rainbow round about, and a
pure river of water of lite flowing out
from it. In the midst OF it stands the
tree OF Life, bearing twelve manner
of fruits. Is this all? 0, no! In
the midst OF the throne we be-
hold One, like unto the Son OF God, be-
fore whom the angels and archangels
veil their tactS S. Look once more! Who
are these this great multitude, whom
no man can number, standing before the
throne, and before the Lamb, arrayed in
white robes, and with palms in their
hands These are they that have wash
ed their robes and made them white iu
the blood of the Lamb. What are they
doing there? They are serving Him day
and night. The high privilege granted
them of serving Him there. is the reward
of service rendered on earth: and so their
cup is tull to OVERLOOKING. We can hear
the sweet refrain from the Divine lips,
addressed to one and another, well
done, good and faithful servant thou
hast been faithful over few things, |
will set thee over many things; enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord"
Oh the honor of service in Heaven
Who would not strive to attain it But
all this is not simply picture,-it is a
wonderful reality which comes very close
to US who are living on earth today,
when child of God dies, it is only
changing the place of service. 1t is a Joy
to think we serve Him STILL" We car
imagine, even at the present time, the
countless procession OF those on the way
thither, who. set free from the letters
binding them to earth, are approaching
these gates, and, one by one, passing
within their portals.
For, never night succeeds day, but
some home is broken, and loved one
exchanges this path below, for one
brighter above. Zone is taken the other
is LETT"
AS our thoughts dwell upon the Home
going of our own loved ones, we realize
as never before. what the translation
means. If we allow ourselves to think
unduly of our great loss and conse quent
loneliness, our hearts come well-uigh to
breaking But if we center our thoughts
upon their gain, we soon learn to share
their Joy. We may fail to hear the word:
they speak, but we know they are sing
ing the new song" with joyful lips, anc
we exclaim, "Ohlw must it be to bt
| there!"
A friend once said to me, when thu
gates had suddenly opened to receive my
own dearly beloved,-"A time goes on
it may seem to you, that you are drifting
farther and farther apart,-but no
every day is bringing you nearer to-
gether, and lessening the time of you
separation"
A comforting thought, indeed Ou
communion on earth, one with another
is very precious; but it is only the blessed
foretaste ofthe perfect fellowship OF Heav
en-. So, let us not think of separation
but of re union. And let US gather in
spiration for high and holy living in th
days that remain tor us here below, iron
the gracious words of our Lord
blessed are they that do his com
mandments, that they may have RICH
to the tree of life, and may enter il
through the gates into the city, Mrs
c. l.. Goodell in the Chicago Advance.