Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-04-29
MANSIONS IN THE
SKY

We do not know what the conditions
of the after life may be; but this we,
as Christians, do know: that we are
assured OF peace and rest and glory.
The only way we have of viewing
heaven is by symbolizing it to beauty
in our own language. We may dwell
in glittering mansions; but whether
we take it literally or figuratively,
we know in truth that there is rest and
reward awaiting us i'm the degree that
we each deserve. illustrating this /
wish 10 relate a simple little story
which an evangelist told me. 1t has
been in my mind so constantly that /
believe it should be told TO others. He
related it thus:
"A very wealthy society woman had
a dream, which seemed so real TO her
that it afterward changed the entire
course of her life. She dreamed that
an angel came to her, and asked her If
she would like to go up and look at
heaven. Her curiosity at once prompt
ed her to accept the invitation, and,
guided by the angel, she was trans
ported to heaven. = At first the glory
and light were so radiant that she
ually her eyes became more used 10
the brightness, and she beheld such
splendor as she had never dreamed or
fancied.
up and down the golden streets she
followed the angel and finally she
asked to see the throne of God. The
angel told her the throne was placed in
the center of heaven, but that she
could not see HIS glorious race, Tor
none but the pure in heart could see
God. She begged the angel for that
privilege, and spoke of her position as
a leader Of American society.
: THE angel told her she need not
introduce herself in heaven, for she
was already well known there, but her
record alone would not permit her to
look upon the glorious face of the King
of heaven. Utterly crushed, she fol-
lowed the guide through the streets,
where she was allowed to pass. Every
where she saw beautiful, shining man
sions. Some were tall and built Of gold
and pearl and precious stones, while
others were small and scarcely begun.
Seeing one particularly beautiful man
sion, she said TO the angel, You may
reserve this one for me, faithful guide
The angel smiled and answered You
cannot choose another's mansion
here; you must dwell in the one you
yourself furnish. This one belongs to
Hannah Laden, your servant.
THE woman caught her breath and
gasped. What can you mean? This
grand palace belong to my common
handmaiden? Yes replied the angel
all day long she works for You faith
fully, and endures your hard service
with patience, and when alone she is
always praying for your soul. At
night, when h i labors are done, she is
out visiting ne sick or reading t, the
aged and ine'rm from Gods wort AMI
giving all she can spare from her
wages TO suffering humanity. Each
prayer is precious gem; each charity
a layer of pearl; each act of mercy a
pillar of gold, which we use in con-
structing her mansion
The lady was siienceI Tor time;
but finally her imperious nature as
serteu itself again, and she began 10
fancy that If this house could belong
TO humble Hannah Laden then there
must be palace somewhere in heaven
awaiting her. and she asked TO See t.
The guide led her to a street where
the houses were small, and pointing
TO an unusually humble, unfinished
dwelling, said This one is yours She
looked incredulously at the structure.
and said This one for me? Why,
can't believe it! Why is mine so snail
anu Tough, The angel looked sad as
re answered Madam, we have used
the material you have sent up for it.
When you send more, we shall add to
it, and of such material as you send
shall your mansion be built And she
left heaven a disgraced, sorrowful
woman.
her dream filled her heart and mind,
and she began life anew from that day.
She has been sending up ever since
rich materials as will insure her a
glorious mansion in the sky. She has
so purified her heart and life that
when the real summons comes, and
she is taken away, she will surely not
be denied the happiness of looking !
upon the glorious Face she so desired
to see'
This is only dream, but II contains
a lesson so great and so inspiring that
l feel II will help others and spur
them on to a life Of purity, faith and
good deeds, and thus to send up rich !
material for their own mansions in |
the sky.-Christian Herald.