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Story
January 17, 1852
New England Religious Herald
Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
A devotional piece contrasting the privileges of ancient Roman citizenship with the superior spiritual citizenship of Christians in heaven, including a prayer for worthy living and a poem by Rev. R. W. Fraser encouraging faith for eternal bliss.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Heavenly Citizenship.
How great the privilege of being a citizen of ancient Rome! There was not a nation who did not tremble at the thought of injuring those who, however helpless, could call themselves citizens of that metropolis of the world.
The disciples of Christ are called to the noblest of all citizenship--to be citizens of that spiritual city of which glorious things are spoken; whose builder and maker is God; whose immoveable foundation is in the power, the wisdom, the mercy, the beneficence of Jehovah, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Amid the frequent sorrows, the fluctuating joys, the unsatisfying possessions of this world, how ought the disciples of Jesus to rejoice in contemplating the things that God hath prepared for those that love him, in the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away?—
Lord, teach me to rejoice in my holy citizenship. Let me more and more prize the privileges conferred upon me. Let me never forget what manner of person I ought to be. Help me to live worthy of my high vocation; and, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, the glorious garb of my citizenship, may at last be transferred from the church on earth to the church in heaven, and enter into that holy Jerusalem where thou shalt wipe away all tears, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain, for the former things shall have passed away. My soul thirsteth for thee, O Lord, to see thy power and thy glory, as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. O let the word of thy grace and the teaching of thy Spirit build me up, and give me an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
Favored of God, lift up thine eyes:
To Zion's gates thou drawest near:
Her towers in the distance rise,
Across life's desert they appear.
Wouldst thou within that city be,
And deathless tread the golden street?
Wouldst thou of life the river see,
And for a crown of joy be meet?
Then ask: and God, in thy new birth,
Will wisdom give, and faith divine;
Till past all dangers here on earth,
Heaven's sweet repose and bliss are thine.
Rev. R. W. Fraser, M. A.
How great the privilege of being a citizen of ancient Rome! There was not a nation who did not tremble at the thought of injuring those who, however helpless, could call themselves citizens of that metropolis of the world.
The disciples of Christ are called to the noblest of all citizenship--to be citizens of that spiritual city of which glorious things are spoken; whose builder and maker is God; whose immoveable foundation is in the power, the wisdom, the mercy, the beneficence of Jehovah, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Amid the frequent sorrows, the fluctuating joys, the unsatisfying possessions of this world, how ought the disciples of Jesus to rejoice in contemplating the things that God hath prepared for those that love him, in the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away?—
Lord, teach me to rejoice in my holy citizenship. Let me more and more prize the privileges conferred upon me. Let me never forget what manner of person I ought to be. Help me to live worthy of my high vocation; and, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, the glorious garb of my citizenship, may at last be transferred from the church on earth to the church in heaven, and enter into that holy Jerusalem where thou shalt wipe away all tears, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain, for the former things shall have passed away. My soul thirsteth for thee, O Lord, to see thy power and thy glory, as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. O let the word of thy grace and the teaching of thy Spirit build me up, and give me an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
Favored of God, lift up thine eyes:
To Zion's gates thou drawest near:
Her towers in the distance rise,
Across life's desert they appear.
Wouldst thou within that city be,
And deathless tread the golden street?
Wouldst thou of life the river see,
And for a crown of joy be meet?
Then ask: and God, in thy new birth,
Will wisdom give, and faith divine;
Till past all dangers here on earth,
Heaven's sweet repose and bliss are thine.
Rev. R. W. Fraser, M. A.
What sub-type of article is it?
Devotional Reflection
Religious Poem
What themes does it cover?
Providence Divine
Moral Virtue
Fate Providence
What keywords are associated?
Heavenly Citizenship
Christian Privilege
Eternal Inheritance
Divine Wisdom
Spiritual Bliss
What entities or persons were involved?
Rev. R. W. Fraser
Where did it happen?
Heaven, Zion, Holy Jerusalem
Story Details
Key Persons
Rev. R. W. Fraser
Location
Heaven, Zion, Holy Jerusalem
Story Details
Reflection on heavenly citizenship surpassing Roman privileges, urging disciples to rejoice in eternal inheritance; includes prayer for worthy Christian living and poem inviting faith for entry into heavenly city.