Down by the sea, the crystal sea,
Where all of the redeemed shall be,
Where you and I, beloved, shall go,
Our crimson robes washed white as snow
In Christ's dear blood--what hymns of praise
Thro' countless ages we shall raise!
There all our loved ones we shall see--
Think what a meeting that will be
Down by the sea!
--[From "Songs by the Sea."
Days lengthened into weeks, and weeks into months, and these in turn
crept onward into years, and the duties and joys of heaven grew clearer
and dearer with each passing hour. Our home-life was perfect, though
we looked forward with joy to the future coming of our son and daughter
to make its ties complete. We had often spoken of going together to
the great celestial sea, but the time had never seemed quite ripe for
so doing. We realized it was one of the great mysteries of heaven,
although we knew not just what to expect, since there no one ever seeks
to forestall sight by description. One evening I said to my brother:
"I have a strange desire to go to the sea, if you think it wise that we
should do so."
"I am glad that it is your desire to go, as it is mine to have you. I
was about to propose that you and my brother should take together this
blessed journey."
"Will you not accompany us?"
"Not at this time. We will all take it again together, but it is best
that now you two should go alone. You know the way. Through the
forest that leads to the Temple, till almost there; then bear to the
right and follow the golden path that takes you direct to the shore."
So, in the quivering light of the glorious morning we started, full of
a holy joy that together we might take this special journey. We
entered and traversed the great forest, where the golden light fell
through the quivering branches overhead, and birds of gorgeous plumage
and thrilling song were darting everywhere. We heard, nearer and ever
nearer, the regular dashing of the waves against the shore; and now
there came to us bursts of triumphant song and the harmony of many
instruments of music. At length we emerged from the forest, and stood
mute and motionless before the overwhelming glory of the scene before
us.
Can I describe it as it appeared to me that day? Never, until my lips
can speak, and your heart understand, the language of the royal courts
above. From our very feet sloped downward toward the shore a golden
strand many hundred feet wide, and extending on either hand far beyond
the limits of our vision. This strand caught and radiated the morning
light until wherever it was visible it glittered and glimmered like the
dust of diamonds and other precious stones, and the waves, as they came
and went in ceaseless motion, caught up this sparking sand and carried
it on their crests, like the phosphorescence we sometimes see in the
wake of a vessel in mid-ocean. And the sea! It spread out before us
in a radiance that passes description in any language I have ever
known. It was like the white glory that shone through the windows of
the Temple, and beneath this shining glory we caught in the roll of the
waves the blue tint of the waters of that sea which has no limit to its
depths or bounds. Upon its shining bosom we saw in every direction
boats, representing all nations, but in beauty of construction far
surpassing anything earth has ever known. They were like great open
pleasure-barges, and were filled with people looking with eager faces
toward the shore, many in their eagerness standing erect and gazing
with wistful, expectant eyes into the faces of those upon the shore.
Ah, the people upon the shore! "Numberless as the sands of the sea,"
they stood, far as the eye could reach, far as stretched the shore of
that illimitable sea, a great mass of beautiful souls clad in the
spotless garments of the redeemed. Many among them had golden harps
and various instruments of music, and whenever a boat touched the shore
and its inmates were welcomed by the glad voices and tender embraces of
their beloved ones in the throng, the harps would be held aloft, all of
the golden instruments would sound, and the vast multitude would break
forth into the triumphant song of victory over death and the grave.
"Do these people stand here always, I wonder?" I said softly.
"Not the same people," said a radiant being near us, who had heard my
question. "But there is always a throng of people here--those who are
expecting friends from the other life, and those who assemble to share
their joy. Some of the heavenly choristers also are always here, but
not always the same ones. You will notice that most of those who
arrive are led quietly away by their friends, and many others are
constantly joining the multitude."
He passed onward toward the shore, and left us rapt in awe and wonder.
We soon became deeply interested in watching the reunions, and found
ourselves joining with rapture in the glad songs of rejoicing. Now and
then a face we remembered to have seen on earth would be among the
eager faces in the boats, but none that had been especially dear to us;
still it made us notice more closely and sympathize more heartily with
those who welcomed beloved friends. Now we would see a wife caught in
the close embrace of a waiting husband; now a little child with a glad
cry would spring into the outstretched arms of the happy mother; friend
would clasp friend in glad reunion, and here an aged mother would be
folded to the heart of a beloved child.
As one boat of more than usual strength and beauty came riding
gracefully over the waves, we observed the tall figure of a man
standing near her prow with his arms about a graceful woman who stood
by his side. Each shaded with uplifted hand from their dazzled eyes
the unwonted splendor and scanned, wistfully and searchingly, the faces
of the crowd as the boat neared the shore. Suddenly with a great
thrill of joy surging through my being, I cried out:
"It is our precious son, and his dear wife! And they have come
together!"
In an instant we were swiftly moving through the throng that parted in
ready sympathy to let us pass. And, as the boat touched the shore,
with a swift movement they were both beside us--the dear daughter
already close clasped to the hearts of her own happy parents who were
waiting near the water's edge, while at the same instant we felt the
arms of our beloved son enfolding us; and soon thereafter we were all
in each other's embrace. Oh, what a rapturous moment was that! Our
home life in heaven complete, no partings forever! As we stood with
encircling arms, scarcely realizing the unexpected bliss, the heavenly
choir broke into song; and with uplifted faces radiant with joy, eyes
filled with happy tears and voices trembling with emotion, we all
joined in the glad anthem:
Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son!
Glory be unto the ever-blessed Three in One!
No more sorrow, no more parting, no more grief or pain;
Christ has broken death's strong fetters, we are free again!
Heart to heart and hand to hand,
Meet we on the golden strand.
Glory, glory to the Father! Glory to the Son!
Glory be unto the ever-blessed Three in One!
Alleluia! Amen!
The song rose and swelled triumphantly as the vast multitude caught it
up, and the surge of the waves made a deep undertone to the melody that
increased its solemnity, as with bowed heads and full hearts we passed
onward hand in hand; and the light that fell about us was purer,
holier, more divine, than it had ever been before.