The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-05
Sbort Germrons
For
5unnap Dalf-Dour
Theme:
HERE AND HEREAFTER.

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HERE AND HEREAFTER.
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BY THE REV. DR.. J. M. HUBERT.
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Text: Philippians t:22-24: "What !
shall choose ! wot not. For am in a
strait betwixt two having a desire to
1epart, and to be with Christ, which
Is ar better; nevertheless, to abide
in the flesh Is more needful for you"
The words of the text remind us of
good Isaac Watts, who said: Thank
Cod, | can lie down at night with no
concern whether | wake In this world
or the next" Some people are world
", chiefly concerned for things here
below. Some are other-worldly, hav-
ing thoughts and affections set on
things above; and such a man was
Paul. This thinking about the future
IS by some called 'impracticable star
gazing" But Dr. Samuel Johnson
DIRECTLY remarked, that those who
hink most about the next life are the
Jeople who best perform the duties of
mis- life."
First of all, the text speaks of our
morality In saying he has a desire
o depart" Paul is not thinking of
,oing from one place to another on
he earth, but of going back to mother
sarth-"earth to earth, dust to dust,
shes to ashes" This is the way we
aust all go very soon. King Philip
If Macedon had a servant whose duty
it was to wake the King each morn
.ng by saying, Philip, remember thou
art mortal" Surely, we need no such
reminder. We have enough all around
rs to impress us that "all flesh is as
grass" Passing through a street of
a very healthful mountain town. and
seeing a man with a hose washing
mud from the wheels of a hearse, l
said, DO you use such things up
here?" ooh, yes" said he I'VE car
ried out three yesterday" And that
is just what is going on everywhere
The cemeteries are fast receiving the
teeming populations of cities, towns,
villages and country places Well may
il be said:
Death floats upon every passing
breeze,
And turks in every flower;
Each season has its own disease,
Its peril every hour"
Again, the text speaks of our i'm.
morality. Paul has a desire to de-
part, and to be-" He has no thought
of ceasing to be, when death comes
Death does not end all. Wren lne
earthly tent is taken down, it's occu-
pant will, still exist as a conscious,
thinking, alert being. The body is
corruptibl., it perishes. it dissolves;
but there is that within the body
which is tacorruptible, imperishable
and indissol lble that which no floods
can drown, Ato waters can quench, no
fires consume; which is destined to
ortlive moui tains, ornaments, suns
and stars. b prominent city social
club has for ) motto;
while we live we live in clover;
When we die, We die all over"
Oh no, we sha none of us die "all
over" We die bin part only. And
even though the Nody only is to die,
even it is to be rRised again, and ~
and by soul and body shall be re-
joined, and then man in his complete
personality shall I've on and forever.
Further, the text Sspeaks of our chief
felicity hereafter. Paul's desire is to
depart, and to be with Christ" The
Bible gives differeht conc options of
Heaven, such as place of rest from
toll. release from persecutions, free
dom from sin a1d reunion with
friends. But Paul'sl favorite idea of
ii is as place of companionship with
Jesus. True, Christ is with His dis
ciples here and now. by His Spirit. but
in the hereafter they are to see Him
in His glorified humanity, just as He
was seen after His resurrection and
when He went up frpm the slopes of
Mount Olivet. We Ssay mo home
without mother" and what a mother
Is to a home, and infinitely more, is
Christ to His redeemed ones in
Heaven.
"When death these moftal eyes shall
seal,
And still this throbbtng heart,
The rending veil shall 1rhee reveal,
All glorious, as Thou art"
Next, the text speaks of the imme-
diateness of this he hvenly felicity,
after death. Paul's expectation is to
depart, and then at once to be with
Christ. The language will admit OF
no other Interpretation. He gives no
intimation OF a midway station, half
way house, between tine deathbed and
Heaven. Some people carry very
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