“Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.”
~Fanny Crosby, 1869
“Let us cross over the river,
and rest under the shade of the trees.”
~dying words of Stonewall Jackson
On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
Oh who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.
O the transporting, rapturous scene,
That rises to my sight!
Sweet fields arrayed in living green,
And rivers of delight!
There generous fruits that never fail,
On trees immortal grow;
There rocks and hills, and brooks and vales,
With milk and honey flow.
O’er all those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.
No chilling winds or poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.
When I shall reach that happy place,
I’ll be forever blest,
For I shall see my Father’s face,
And in His bosom rest.
Filled with delight my raptured soul
Would here no longer stay;
Though Jordan’s waves around me roll,
Fearless I’d launch away.
~Samuel Stennett
Then Mr. HONEST called for his friends; and said unto them, “I die; but shall make no will. As for my honesty, it shall go with me: let him that comes after be told of this.” When the day that he was to be gone was come, he addressed himself to go over the river. Now the river at that time overflowed the banks in some places. But Mr. HONEST, in his lifetime, had spoken to one GOOD-CONSCIENCE to meet him there; the which he also did, and lent him his hand, and so helped him over. The last words of Mr. HONEST were, “Grace reigns.” So he left the world.
After this it was noised abroad that Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH was taken with a summons by the same post as the other; and had this for a token that the summons was true, that his pitcher was broken at the fountain.
“Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.”
~ Ecclesiastes 12:6 ~
When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then said he, “I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage; and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought his battles who now will be my Rewarder.” When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the riverside; into which as he went he said, “Death, where is thy sting?” And as he went down deeper, he said, “Grave, where is thy victory?” So he passed over; and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
~John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress
http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Pilgrim.s.Progress/Pilgrim.Text/Part.Two/26.html
Dear Carb,
I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your post. John Bunyan has spoken to me forever and the strong Truth contained in his writings are a sword and flame.
I pray you will be Blessed greatly and deeply today.
Psa 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
And my heart is so grateful for the Friendship in the LORD from such Valiant ones as you and Kitty and Knitting.
Psa 31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
And for the constant encouragement of E.G.C. who always agrees in prayer.
Psa 41:2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
Psa 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Psa 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
Amen