The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-01-11
a DRBAM OF HGAVRM..
what IL Means to tho stotn, possea
Weary Land.

"ONkv AiSPbhIs
Every enlightened soul who han
never given the matter serious
thought, has soms conception, some
ideal Of heaven. There be many, to
whose imagination the representation
appears dim, intangible, immapsur
able. but an elVsium Of grandeur,
riches and Incidence. Humanity
striving for the 10y 1t longs to reach
In the beyond, hopes to attain all
things denied aud sought for through.
out life. 10 the lonely, starving
heart, heaven means love, satisfying
ineffable love. To the poor, weary
and overburdened, freedom from toll
and trouble, to tho wayfarer, earth.
gard end without whore to lay his
head, the hope of home with Its com.
forts and delights. To the obscure,
but deserving, the "poor In spirit, ("
recognition and tho promise OF reward
richly fulfilled. To the shepherd
out on the bleak hil'sides, searohing
for lost oneg guiding them into the
kingdom, 1t is the sheltered fold from
which his flock shall never stray. To
the storm. tossed, soul. broken by Sor.
row, and 1reoked by hardship too
heavy to be borne, heaven meang
rest--one long, sweet, peaceful, ever.
lasting rest. What O. balm for the
weary and he9yy.laden, shat cure
for Ills and siitlcbions.
People Oftou wonder, and express
concern about tho heavenly home,
and what 1t shall be- like, but for me,
says deeply pious butt terribly mot.
ed soul, / shall not care what abodes
others may choose among the glories
of the celestial oiGy, my own little re-
fuge has long been prepared and is
awaiting me. Years ago, In q time
CT heart breaking anguish, IwSs por.
mitted to behold IT, "a one may look.
upon q beautiful picture from gfar
and through years Of . lotion and In
times Of deepest trial, ID como to me
q living reality, a solaoe, q JOY and a
glorious hope th&a shall he yes.lizsd
when the gates are opened for nae. i
have no desire for the mansions OF
pearl and crystal, o marble palace,
whose steps lead down to. golden
str0ets possess no oharm for me. L
would not wish to dwell near the
glittering, jeweled gates, where
multitudes throng the way. 1t may
~ )ns before I shall be permitted to
see the great white throne. or to hear
the sweet, gontlo voice OF The Lamb
OF Go1.
1t takes an eternity to see and en
Joy the beauties Of heaven, and so In
that time Of waiting and of prepara-
tion, shall have little, retreat
where my soul shall rest. free FROM
pain, from toll and sorrow. 1t is d
little, quiet nook, nestled within an
arm Of the hills, that embrace the
green pastures. There is no shelter
or roof, for none is needed; the
warmth Of heavenly sunlight makes
1t one long summer day. The other
above is as blue as sapphire, and the
verdure of the hills and valley soft
and shimmering as the rarest velvet,
streWn with myriad scented fioWers
Of wondrous beauty and bloom. In
the distance echoes the song OF birds,
and tho music OF ohildren's voices and
above oil hovers the pure spirit of
peace and sweet repose. Into this
little secluded valley 1 shall enter
aome day, when I have earned the
heavenly rest. Then indeed, will be
happiness and rejoicing, when the
felicity 90 long desired shall be at
tanned. There will be no burdens,
no heartaohes, no tears, nothing but
rest and peace forevermo!o. This,
then, Is my earthly consolation, my
sustaining hope, dream Of heaven.