374 BLISS OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD. CHAPTER XXIII. POSITIVE BLISS OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD. Whisperings of Prophecy. - Music an Element of heavenly Bliss.-Joy of actual Service. - Varied Affirmations. Wondrous The sealed Brow. Light. Rest. Exemption from painful Sensation. - The Way open through the Atonement. - Human Conception inadequate to the Formation of so perfect a Heaven in Thought. "What realm lies forward, with its happier store Of valleys hushed in sleep, And lakes most peaceful? "Tis the land of Evermore. "On that joyous shore, Our lighted hearts shall know The life of long ago: The sorrow-burdened past shall fade for Evermore." Anon. "PERHAPS it is most becoming," said Socrates, in speaking of a future world, "for one who is about to travel there, to inquire and speculate about the journey thither; what kind we think it is." Shall a philosopher of the dim twilight reason thus, and we of the noonday act otherwise? Shall we, who have the "sure word of prophecy," the firm promise of a blessed immortality as the reward of faithful obedience, shall we be indifferent to the slightest thing concerning the great future, or what regards the journey thither? It is called the great Unknown, and perhaps with some propriety, since mortal comprehension must fall below the truth; yet we are richly favored with some knowledge respecting it— enough to kindle a steady flame upon the altars of faith and hope, and give strength to desire. singled out and commissioned holy men to tell us of his works and ways, and when the volume was well nigh finished, and God WHISPERINGS OF PROPHECY. 375 the last writer took up his pen, he had such views of the resplendent glory of the final home of the faithful, that he poured out his soul in the description, and yet found it inadequate to a full display. Prophets and evangelists had rejoiced in the whisperings, that had come to their ears from the Holy Spirit of the establishment of a peaceful realm made glad by God's presence, and apostles had been cheered in "great tribulation" by the assurance of good things to come, which was divinely granted; but to none was given such rich and full communication as to him who loved much, in the days of Jesus; who was taken "in the spirit" to behold the magnificence of heaven, and the glory within. Others had told us what it is not, but John tells us what it is; and from the combination issues a completeness that was never before reached—a splendor and richness of coloring that were never before revealed. It was not a faint reflection of the far-off, when he stood upon the "high mountain," and was showed "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God," and having his glory. It was no dim and doubtful radiance coming into his soul, but light, exceeding the brightness of the sun, from the very centre of the "holy city" itself. He saw the jewelled walls, the pearly gates, and golden streets, and heard the sweet songs of those who dwelt there, and came down to teach mortals the notes, that they might be fitted to join in the anthem when they should be carried in the spirit to the mountain of the Lord, the heaven of his love. It was not the sweet echo of distant, melodious sound that gently stirred the holy emotions of his soul, for he stood where he caught distinctly the words of the song, and it was this that kindled all the love of his ardent nature, for he cherished sentiment kindred to that which it inspired, since he knew no virtue save that infused by the life-giving blood of Him to whom the glad tribute was rendered. It was joyous music to him, and it will be to all the redeemed. When the first ransomed spirit entered the gates of 376 MUSIC IN HEAVEN. Paradise, "a new song" was begun, that shall increase in richness and power as new voices swell the delightful symphony. Music will be one of the attractions of heaven. We know not much of the soft-toned instruments of the place; but there are harps there, and those who play on them touch the strings to loftiest note. Never will be heard more thrilling melody than proceeds from the celestial choir, for its members have been educated by a Master whose advent here angels heralded with songs of peace-peace begun on earth and perfected in heaven. Heaven's arches will ring as the ransomed ones join in one mighty chorus, to sing of the salvation that has been wrought for them by the Lamb. "Their glorious Leader claims their praise," and with "one united breath," they will" ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, their triumph to his death." They will sing of deliverance, and sweet will be that song to those who have long been oppressed. They will sing of "blessing," and it will fill the bosoms of the saints with ineffable praise; of "honor," and it will be grateful indeed to those who have loved uprightness; of "glory," and it will excite untold sensations of bliss; of "power," and it will inspire devout recognition of a guiding influence that has led them on to such perfection. They sing, too, of the "forever; " but who shall describe the sweetness and fulness of that strain, "Salvation to our God"? As they chant it, they turn reverently and adoringly "to Him that sitteth upon the throne," for it is he who wrote the words and set them to such blissful music. All idea of song is centred in this. Not a note or a strain wanting to make it the most perfect harmony that ever entranced the soul. It was ravishing to John's spirit as he heard it, and the remembrance of it never died out. So much did it influence him, so ardently did he long to mingle his songs with theirs, that almost his last recorded words are, "Come, Lord Jesus," as if he would hasten away from all other things and employments to engage in so divine a service as singing to the praise of Him MUSIC IN HEAVEN. 377 he loved, in his immediate presence. Ye whose souls are tuned to song, who find special delight in this loved employment, there is music in heaven. Its every influence upon the character will be highly ennobling and inspiring. Those, too, who cannot sing here, will be admitted to the choir above, for there they will understand the measure of that tune which exalts Him who reigneth omnipotent and holy, for it is love that inspires "heaven's sweetest lays, and fills its shining courts with praise." And there are such "whose bosoms glow with love," and consequently have the best preparation for striking with effect the heavenly harps when they are called to the assembly of the saints in the Jerusalem above. We have heard music here that has kindled ecstasy in the soul, and sent thoughts and desires on and up after the perfect; but, after all, the sweetness of heavenly music cannot be conceived. Holy, song-loving soul, there is much of this there is enough of this to enrapture thee in the land whither thou art tending. There are ten thousand sweets floating upon the summer air. We cannot gather them up, and yet we know they minister abundantly to the happiness of the senses. There is always something that eludes our grasp when we attempt to catch and confine this heavenly sweetness here; but we know it will pour its glad influence over the whole being when we stand with those that sing "Alleluia" on the celestial shore, and breathe the air of heaven. That which is sweet here, we know, will be sweeter there. Song has a heavenward tendency to pious souls. "What the wings are to the sky-mounting lark is sacred music to my soul," said one; "it bears my soul to heaven." We know that the Swiss, exiled from their mountain homes, are strangely affected by one of their own national songs. At such seasons their hearts are melted into tenderness, love, and longings, because of the associations of home; so the songs of Zion often affect the Christian who is away from his heavenly home an exile upon earth. They remind him of things which his soul loveth, and to the 378 THE SIGHT OF JESUS IN HEAVEN. full fruition of which he hasteth. Blessed are they who shall sing the Lord's songs in his own land. The It is also written of such, "They shall see his face." Whose face? That of Jesus, their Beloved-that of God, their Friend. Every channel of communication that can be opened between us and an absent friend does not satisfy us. It is always regarded a very poor compensation for the living, actual presence, to receive the few and imperfect forms of thought afforded by a narrow sheet. Every attempt of this kind makes us long to annihilate time and space, that we may be reunited with the object of love, see face to face, and pour out the heart fully and freely. The loving heart feels that union is the height of joy. The pleasure is manifest in every feature, and the whole countenance beams with unwonted gladness; but what meeting can compare with that of the Christian and his Lord? burden of letters from the loving and absent is, "Would that we might meet," so that free interchange of thought and affection might be enjoyed, untroubled by misconception or anything of the kind. There is no love like the divine love, and nothing to be compared with its blessed interchange. It is pure and perfect. It satisfies the soul; therefore, when the saint meets his Lord face to face, there will be nothing more for him to ask. The smile of welcome that will beam from the face of his Redeemer will fill every aspiration and satisfy every desire. The "Come, blessed" will enable him to lift up his head "with songs and everlasting joy," for the longed-for meeting has come, and there will be no more parting-he is forever with the Lord. There are no more pining and regret by reason of absence, no sending of communication, and no fear that it be not rightly directed. There is no more anxiety lest the union never be realized, for all fear is lost in the blessedness of the result, the actual behold ing of that face which hath "overpowering charms," and the actual recognition of that delightful sound, after all the fears and struggles of his life-absence, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." There he shall always look upon the face of the Anointed One, |