Oh! what earthly honors can be compared to these!

(William Nicholson, "Pearls of Great Price!")

A Christian is . . .
  a sinner saved by sovereign grace,
  admitted to fellowship with the Most High God,
  guarded by the strength of Omnipotence,
  guided with infallible wisdom,
  borne up amid the swellings of Jordan,
  conveyed by angels to the celestial paradise,
  there to receive the crown of immortality, and a palm of eternal victory!

Oh! what earthly honors can be compared to these! Earthly honors! name them not-they are laid in the balance, and found lighter than vanity! But, Christians, your honors are not shadowy, but substantial. Therefore, forget them not. Enjoy them. They are wells of salvation-drink of them freely. They are the dews of Heaven-let them refresh your soul! They are clusters of fruit from the cross, and streams from the ocean of heavenly felicity! "Eat, O friends-drink abundantly, O beloved!"

"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!" Psalm 16:11