THE BETTER COUNTRY

 

OCTOBER 30

THE BETTER COUNTRY
 
"They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Hebrews 11:13, 14
 
Canaan was the better country to the Jew,
  but Heaven is the better country to the Christian.
 
And truly it must be better than this;
  there are no thorns or briars there;
  there is neither death nor barren land there;
  there are no plagues or famines there;
  there are no wants or woes there;
  there is no sin, disease, or death there.
 
In that country the atmosphere is serene and healthy,
  the views are clear and enchanting,
  the sun never goes down,
 for there is no night there.
 
Ah, it is a better country, if we think of
  the holiness of its inhabitants,
  the plenitude of its stores, and
  the immutable security thrown around it.
 
There is permanent joy,
  untiring activity, and
  the perpetual presence of God.
 
There are no winds of error there;
There are no storms of persecution there;
There are no sighs, groans, or sorrows there.
 
Aged Christian, 

 this is the country that thou hast been seeking,
 and thou art now come to the margin of it.

Soon, very soon, thou wilt be called to take possession of it, and then thou wilt leave 

 all that is painful behind thee.
 
 There are no weary limbs,
   no aching bones,
   no unstrung nerves,
    no long tedious nights there.
 
No, no! All is health, ease, light, peace, 

  and pleasure there!
 
It is, indeed, THE BETTER LAND, 

 the land which the Lord our God 

  hath espied for us, and 

  which we shall soon pass over 

   Jordan to possess it!
 
Millions of our brethren, and 

 some of our dear natural relatives,
 are there before us;
 others are on the road, and 

 will follow if they do not overtake us;
 best of all, Jesus is there; it is his country,

 it is called Emmanuel's Land.

Home of Jesus! my heart sighs for thee.
O to enter into that better country!
 
 
"If they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.   But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
                              Hebrews 11:15-16
 
JAMES SMITH 1869