Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-12-14

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21:3, 4.
Golden Text: "Behold. the taber-
nacle of God is with men, and he shall
dwell with them, and they shall be his
peoples REV. 21:3.
1. The Holy City.
Many Of us have had our hearts
thrilled by the song called "The Holy
City," 1t has made US look forward to
time of great happiness and precious
reunions and future service. We
christians have right to that vision
and to all the comfort it gives. Let
US not forget that "the tabernacle of
God is with men," He is with us now.
We do not have to wait until the
future to be with him.
There is something full of hope in
the fact that it was "a city" which
John saw. We do not always think
of our cities as being holy places.
Someone has truly said that the Bible
begins with the story of garden and
ends with the story of city. 1t is
good to have the picture of the new
civilization drawn in the likeness of a
city. For we are apt to be discour-
aged about our cities on account of
their vices.
And where is this "holy city,.
coming down out of heaven from God,
made ready as bride adorned for her
husband?" Who are the inhabitants?
What are they doing there? What
good does this vision of the holy city
do the people of the modern city?
Sometimes we feel in the mood ex-
pressed by Felicia d. Hemans in her
poem:
81 hear thee speak of better land;
Thou call'st its children a happy
band;
Mother! Oh where is that radiant
shore?
Shall we not seek it and weep no
more?
Is it where the flower of the orange
blows,
And the frefies dance thru the
myrtle boughs?"
I "Not there, not there, my child"
eye hath not seen it, my gentle
boy;
Ear hath not heard it's deep sounds
of joy;
Dreams can not picture world so
Sorrow and death may not enter
there;
Time does not breathe on its fade
less bloom;
Far beyond the clouds and beyond
the tomb,
1t is there, it is there, my child!"
III. The Value of Visions.
There are at least three things ac-
complished for us by vision of this
sort. 1t corrects our short-sighted
conclusions. We lay our ideas by the
side of this heavenly model and see
how far we come short. We learn to
take the long look. We see things
in their true perspectivea Our idea
of values is changed. The vision COM
forts US. Thank God for time when
there shall be no more pain or death,
even if these experiences have their
place and discipline for us today. How
good to think of the homeland of the
soul, where today our loved ones rest
and serve! Do not forget that brief
hut suggestive clause, "His servants
shall serve him." On what great
and glorious ministries does he send
them! The vision also challenges us.
1t calls us to proclaim the message.
1t summons US to the tasks of the
king. 1t nerves us to strive for the
new and better civilization that is
to be.
III. Heaven
Define heaven. Where is it? Do
you desire to go there? Has there
been any change in emphasis about
heaven since you can remember hear
ing about it? Is heaven place or a
condition? When does heaven begin
What difference is there between the
christian conception of heaven and
the Mohammedan conception?
Questions like these make US realize
how high and satisfying the christian
conception of heaven is. 1t is both &
place and condition. 1t begins here
and lasts forever 1t does not destroy
our personality. 1t is not place Of
sensual enjoyment, of great harems
of low physical satisfaction. 1t cen
ters around Jesus Christ who will
here welcome his children.
There is such thing as heaven OF
aorth "Not long ago a sneaker il