Page images
PDF
EPUB

happened that suddenly from within the room adjoining, the door of which was half open, a bright gleam of light burst upon her, and as she looked up towards it, she beheld standing before her, adorned in celestial glory, her departed friend, who, looking at her with a smile of inexpressible sweetness, said: "Yes, truly, do we meet and recognise each other again above! O what joy did we experience, when yesterday our beloved S- entered amongst us!" After saying which she vanished. Trembling in every limb, the lady sprung up, not knowing how she felt, whether she was dreaming or awake; she, however, kept secret within her own breast the scene she had just witnessed, and made enquiry here and there whether a person of the name, which her friend had mentioned, was living in the town or its neighbourhood, and had lately died. Nobody, however, could give her the information. She therefore made up her mind that what she had witnessed must have been merely a vision which had been produced by the recollection of her conversation with her departed friend upon the subject of personal recognition in heaven, and accordingly the whole affair was suffered to pass without further notice.

It happened, however, that about a fortnight after the imagined morning dream, as she was perusing, without any particular object in view, the columns of some daily journal, her eye caught the following announcement : "It has pleased the Almighty Arbiter of life and death to summon to the dwelling of eternal peace, on the of our never-to-be-forgotten father, friend, and brother S, after a life devoted to the Saviour." This notice was dated from a place many miles distant

[ocr errors]

from our friend's abode. Struck with the utmost surprise and agitation, the lady scarcely ventured to trust her eyes. She read the passage over and over again. Certainly, there was indeed the same name which on the aforesaid morning had been announced to her by the lips of the radiant messenger; and the same day of decease which her friend had denoted to her as the day of his entry into heaven. The affectionate survivor could, therefore, no longer feel a doubt in the reality of that sweet vision; the invisible world had, indeed, been unveiled before her view.

We are not, it is true, referred to events of the kind just shown, nor are we directed to such by the Lord; but we are to confide in the word. We are to believe. If, however, it pleaseth the Lord to favour us once with a view of that nature, let us accept it with gratitude; let us welcome it joyfully, as a strengthening and confirmation of our faith.

But grant only that before the gate of our heart that herald may appear, of whom Jesus saith, "I am glorified in them!" and may bring us the tidings that our enemies are fallen, and that we are protected in the bosom of eternal mercy, - grant that we may only receive the message, the divine message, that henceforth we are guarded by angels of the Lord, and that the path is open before us, onwards even into the divine paternal home itself, and made smooth and free from all obstruction! Whoever has received such tidings, needs none from any other source for his happiness. The most glorious tidings which can reach the human ear, have been then made known to him. And 1 John xvii. 10.

in the evening of his life, too, he will raise his head with holy firmness, and even should weeping ensue, his tears will glisten like the dew of morn; for the heavenly lustre of the blessed secret of his heart will be sweetly and calmly reflected in them.

269

IX.

GOD WILL KEEP HIS WORD.

"FOR we are saved by hope." Thus says the apostle.1 "But hope that is seen," continues Paul, “is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." A sentence beyond every thing comforting, and worthy of the deepest meditation.

"For we are saved"-literally, "delivered." Incomparable message! Happy he, who is justified in including himself in that "We." It is the proper It is the proper "We, by the grace of God!" Be not startled, however, at receiving more than is your due from this "We." Let no one seek in it too great a lustre of individual perfection. "We"-the apostle means to say-we who have come to Jesus, and shall continue to come, unto the end of days; we poor sinners, who in our necessity of heart, were thrown upon the Lamb; we without counsel within ourselves, and clinging to the cross, as to our only refuge; whether only yet hungering after the fruits of this cross, or whether in faith already satisfied; whether only mourning for the Saviour's welcome of grace, or already joyfully reposing in his bosom; we sheep of the good Shepherd, the little flock, whether ailing or healthy; we, his own, whether of Samuel's or Timothy's brethren,

1 Rom. viii. 24.

grown up in God; or whether publicans and sinners, after long errings first striking on our breast; whether Marthas or Marys, unreproached and without blame before the world; or whether Magdalens, people burthened with guilt and sorrowing hearts, people of Adullam ; we,-behold, therefore, a wide, comprehensive "We"

66 we are saved."

And we are so. The deliverance has taken place! Behold the sinner ascending with Jesus towards heaven in triumph. From the clouds above he shouts out to us below, "We are saved!" Observe the angelic countenance of a Stephen under the murderous showers of stones. What does it indicate? 66 Yes, we are saved!" and the open heavens above his head rejoin: "Amen, so it is!" and the hands of the glorified Son of man, stretched out for his reception, give the seal of ratification: "The deliverance has been effected!" "It has come!" exclaim the apostles, and they joyfully bend their head upon the executioner's block. Where, O death, is thy sting? The entire Scripture ratifies it: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." The songs of the entire sacred community continue to echo it through ages: "There is nothing more to be arranged; there is nothing more to be done;" and the feast of the communion confirms it silently but yet forcibly, in palpably divine characters: "This is the blood which is shed for many for the remission of sins!" We need be no longer anxious concerning the remission of our sins: another has remitted them; we have nothing more to count down; our debts are liquidated. And there is no longer cause, for anxiety as to whence the righteousness is to be obtained, which 1 Heb. x. 14. 2 Matt. xxvi. 28.

« PreviousContinue »