To a Christian who has lived all his lifelong in bondage unto fear, not daring to believe himself a child of God, how sweet will be the awakening in heaven.
With great dread and trembling he will approach the death hour, and go down through chilling mists and vapors to the unknown and when upon the other shore sweet strains come to his ear, he will not understand them, but fair form after fair form will appear to greet him, and at length, from the impearled atmosphere God’s whole band of gathering and reaping angels, more in number than the autumn leaves out-streaming from the forest when there are bursts of wind, will come forth, filling all the air with music, and minister unto him an abundant entrance into the kingdom! It were almost enough to make one’s heaven to stand and see the first wild stirring of joy in the face, and hear the first rapturous cry as they cross the threshold, of thousands of timid Christians who lived weeping and died sighing, but who will wake to find every tear an orb of joy and every sigh an inspiration of God. O, the wondrous joy of heaven to those who did not expect it!—BEECHER.
