The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-19

QeSt1tuCiOn TO the 1ate OF the DEAD
than all the modern articles and books
that are being produced SO volumi-
nously. To judge from the character
of the latter, this old passage is not
popularity read, altho 1t has been ac-
cessible since the rise of western civili-
eaton. 1t comes into new prominence
just now because the thirty million
members of the Sunday school have
been assigned 1t for study.
This bit of literature is very re-
markable. 1t portrays what lies on
the other side of all humanity's pres
ent perplexities and problems. Its
sweep is vaster than the League of
Nations, and more cosmopolitan than
anything ever dreamed by the most
advanced 'internationalist.'' Despite
its comprehensiveness. 1t is definite
upon most of the larger questions now
being popularity discussed.
The author of the fragment in ques-
ton, an excerpt from the book called
THE Revelation" was a sanity man
named John, the closest earthly friend
what it was given him to see. late in
life while prisoner on the Island of
Patmos, by the supernatural drawing
aside of the curtain which wells the
signed by the international commit
tee, using the Weymouth translation.
A Picture of Paradise.
after this I looked. and a vast host
appeared which 1t was impossible for
any one to count, gathered out of ev-
cry nation and from all tribes and peo-
pies and languages, standing before
the throne and before the Lamb,
clothed in long white robes, and carry
ing lm-branches in their hands. In
loud voices they were exclaiming:
att is to our God who is seated on
the throne, and to the Lamb, that we
owe our salvationn
"All the angels were standing In
circle round the throne and round
the Elders and the four living crea-
lures, and they fell on their faces in
front of the throne and worshipped
God.
"'Even SOL they cried:
The blessings and the glory
And the wisdom and the thanks
And the honor and the power and the
Are to be ascribed to our God,
Until the Ages Of the Ages!
Then, addressing me, one of the
Elders said. who are these people
clothed in the long white robes? And
where have they come from?'
Ny lord. you know; l replied.
have just passed thru the great dis
tress. and have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb. For this reason they stand
before the very throne of God. and
render Him service, day after day and
night after night, in His sanctuary
and He who is sitting upon the throne
will shelter them in His tent. They
will never again be hungry or THIRSTY,
and never again will the sun or any
scorching heat trouble them. For the
Lamb who is in front of the throne
will be their Shepherd, and VIII guloe
them to water-springs of Life, ana
God will wipe every tear from their
eyes.
No reader of current literature can
| help drawing comparisons between
this majestic, inspiring passage and
| the diffuse, speculative. trivial articles
upon the life beyond which are TO-DAY
pouring from the presses of the world.
These inspired lines are sublime in
their literary conception: there are
none OF the banalities of spookism
here The writer's pen is sure and
firm; he is not specializing, or quot
| ing the incoherent mouthings of
IN ediun."
In his portrayal We see no mum
J dane materialism at which our judg-
I ment revolts. One of the recent books
on spiritism (there is no agreement
among them) reveals that in the
next world everybody will continue to
do what he did ION the earth plane
| Said one woman, when I read that
one spirit reported that he was work.
|
the book down; that was too much"
The heaven that could not improve on
| the automobile, or at least provide
against punctures was not adequate
for her. Yet the incongruity at which
| she baked was but one of scores that
are reported from the other side" by
| the busy mediums and ouija boards.
How vastly more reasonable and dig
nified and fuller of promise is the
word that Jesus, the heavenly Shep-
herd, will guide them to water
| springs of Life" That is a picture of
sufficiency.
Contrast the noble dignity and
depth of Johns vision of the scene
about the central throne of the r ller
of time and eternity. The defeated
and prosecuted are now triumphant.
| They have exchanged their rags and
filth-what a panorama of wars des-
titution, which 1 myself have looked
upon in Eastern Europe and Western
Asia, passes before my mind as 1 read
| again the SeeTs description!-for the
white robes of redemption. Cast out
by men,. they stand before the very
throne OF God" Broken, impotent,
disappointed and suffering on earth,
they now render perfect and unfet-
tered service. have watched desti-
tute Christians grubbing for roots
seeking for undigested grain amid the
droppings of the highway-reaching
emaciated hands toward the Ameri-
| cans for possible food; but they will
| never again be hungry or thirsty"
Gone Is the problem of poverty, gone
is the problem of pain. All tears are
wiped away m that land of no more
partings and no more sorrow.
| traced the rainbow thru the rain,
AND feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall fearless be-"
The "HaIleIuah Chorus"
I am sorry for anyone who has not
heard a great, trained choral society
sing THE Halleluah Chorus" But 1
am sorrier for those who have not
caught the idea of the significance of
alteration. which breathes thru Johns