WHERE HEAVEN BEGINS.

Not at the gates of pearl or streets of gold, Not with the endless day or songs of praise; In meeting those above we loved below, Or echoing back their new, exultant lays. Not in the thought of tears for ever dried, Of pain, want, weariness and sorrow fled; Or in the thought that nothing there can part Those loved and lost ones whom we call “Our dead.” So vast our heritage, we claim all these, For Jesus bought them, made our title clear; Yet, blessed thought! for heaven we need not want— Our Lord is with us, and our heaven is here. No night, no fear, if Christ within us dwell; Above where Jesus reigns can be no night. Heaven here with Jesus, and His hand shall lead O’er Death’s dark threshold into life and light.