New England Religious Herald

Holiness or Heaven-How vain must be our hope of entering into heaven, if we have no present delight in what are said to be its joys. A christian finds his happiness in holiness. When he looks forward to heaven, it is the holiness of the scene and associations on which he fastens as affording its happiness. He is not in love with an Arcadian paradise, with the green pastures, the flowing waters, and the minstrelsy of many harpers. He is not dreaming of a bright island, where he shall meet his buried kindred, renew domestic charities, and again live human life, in all but its cares, and tears, and pantings. "Be ye holy"—is the precept attempted conformity to which is the business of a christian's life on earth—perfect conformity to which shall be the blessedness of Heaven. Let us take heed that we deceive not ourselves. 'The apostle speaks of "tasting the powers of the world to come," as if heaven began this side the grave. We may be enamored of heaven, because we think "there the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." We may be enchanted with the poetry of its descriptions and fascinated by the brilliancy of its colorings, as the Evangelist John relates his visions, and sketches the scenery on which he was privileged to gaze. But all this does not prove us on the high road to heaven. If it be heaven towards which we journey, it will be holiness in which we delight; for if we cannot now rejoice in having God for our portion, where is our meetness for a world in which God is to be all, forever and forever.- Bible Thoughts.