I FRANKLY confess that, while I shrink from approaching the deathbed of one who knows not God, I find great comfort in watching the closing moments of the true Christian.
The one may, indeed, have “no bands in his death,” but, spite of his insensibility as to his real condition, he takes a hopeless leap into the dark, and has to learn, perforce, before the judgment-seat what he refused to believe in time. The other may be racked by bodily pain, and tortured in every limb, yet he is in, the light, and passes from a bed of suffering to his Father’s house on high. He is “absent from the body and present with the Lord,” there to await the resurrection of the body, so that his cup of bliss may be perfectly, and eternally full.
Now, had the deathbed of the Christian no attraction, it is evident that none would come to attend saving those whom duty called. But there are attractions of the highest and most delightful kind, and again I must say that, for one, I love to hear the “death song” of the child of God. It is, thank God, a song, not a wail, ―a victory, not a defeat. The death has, in the fullest sense, been undergone by Another, and all that makes death a judgment on the Christian has been annulled at the cross. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). That blessed fact, and faith in the truth of it, settles the whole matter, and leads the believer to “joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation”. (Rom. 5:1111And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:11)).
Yes, notice, “we joy in God!” And yet the fullness of such songs is not always the same. Some are sweeter and louder than others. No two Christians have exactly the same exit, or make identical confessions of the grace that saved them. Thank God for the variety, as also for the same solid foundation that the cross supplies for all!
It was my immense privilege to witness, but the other day, one of the most exquisite sunsets I ever beheld. It was that of Andrew Hope Smith, of Cruicksfield. Born and brought up under Christian influences, he had as a young man thrown off early impressions, and had become a thorough man of the world, a keen sportsman, and, to all outward appearance, was a complete stranger to God.
Leaving this country he went to New Zealand, and there he learned in that distant land the same truth as was felt by the prodigal of Luke 15. Grace wrought in his heart, and he was led, through various experiences of light and shade, to turn to God.
I knew his last fourteen years in this country, and can, with many others, bear testimony to the wonderful change that had taken place. During that time, at all events, the grace that had brought him salvation, taught him also the denial of ungodliness and worldly lusts. Old habits were completely forsaken, and in ways that were unobtrusive and simple he bore a faithful testimony to his Saviour. In June last with terrible, and unexpected suddenness he was felled, as by a stroke of lightning, with a malady which cut him off in eleven short days. His suffering at first was excruciating, “almost more,” he said to me, “than mortal man could bear,” and for the first few days he could do little but writhe in agony. It was then he said, “Oh, the folly of putting off for a deathbed the salvation of the soul!” Had he done so, his salvation would, humanly speaking, have been an impossibility! May you; my dear reader, be wise in days of health and strength.
It was soon perceived that the sufferer’s case must terminate fatally. Judging from my manner on a certain occasion, that I had something on my mind which I dreaded to express, he said, “Tell me all, I have nothing to fear.” I did so. The resell was lovely. There was no more surprise than had I said that he must be carried to an adjoining room. His peace remained undisturbed. He gladly acquiesced in the Lord’s will, whether the issue should be life or death. Indeed, without asking in prayer for restoration, or even for a mitigation of his sufferings, his one request was for patience to bear them. “I have seen others in as much pain,” said the attending medical man, “but none so patient; he is always so contented.” Yes, his patience was wonderful. And, but for extraordinary physical powers, “not one in a thousand could have undergone what he did.” But, now weakened, he was assailed by the enemy, and there was a short struggle for the mastery. Faith prevailed, as “Christ was presented” to the unwearied enemy, and from that point, for the last six days, the victory was complete. These were “six days of heaven upon earth” to himself, and to those who came near him. “I never saw such a deathbed,” said the nurse to the doctor. “Nor will you again,” he replied.
Whilst sitting at his side on the first of these six days, he burst out, saying, “Our Jesus hath done all things well. Hallelujah! I would be marching through the gates! Lord, give me patience.” Two days before the end he said, “I am perfectly happy; I have seen Him! Christ is all, and in all!” And again, “Time! My times are in Thy hand! Oh, to think that I’ll be forever with Thee, my lovely Redeemer Thou art my comeliness” and he sang the hymn, “I will sing of my Redeemer!” And again, “Sing loudly―all should sing; let all creation shout His praise!”
On another occasion just before the end, he said, “Death! it’s nothing. I am as happy as the days are long!” And so he was. It was a perfect pleasure to be beside him. There was a play of humor that indicated a sense of grace on the one hand, and no fear on the other. One could but just look on, and behold a vessel full of the Holy Ghost, and living therefore in a region beyond the present—a vessel which illustrated the” ecstasy” of which we read in 2 Corinthians 5:13,13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. (2 Corinthians 5:13) and which, indeed, is the normal Christian state, alas! so little realized. The power of God was there in a fullness that annulled what was of the flesh, and that carried the spirit of the dear sufferer above his weary surroundings to the Lord on high. It was a foretaste of heaven to some of us. Just seven hours before the end he said, “A grasp―another grasp! A thousand years! Eternity! Infinity! How sublime! God fills it! Sins from childhood-millions (all forgiven)! God is brimming (rising?) up into eternity! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth― reigneth! ―could anything be so sublime as that?” And again, “All things are yours; life or death: for ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” What deep eternal assurance in those inspired words, “Ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s”! What links are there, and how strong, how everlasting I Then one short hour before the end, on taking a sip of water, his last words were, “Oceans of water.” Satiety lay before him. There was no lack. God’s abundance was there for his sweet enjoyment now. He needed to crave no meager drop to cool a parched tongue. His soul was satisfied, and, thus satisfied, he passed from our midst.
What a God is ours! He is “Love,” and He loved I yea, “so loved the world as to give his Son.” He is able to fill a poor empty vessel to such an overflow as to make it triumph amid defeat, and sweep through the valley in a perfect blaze of victory! He is able, and He deigns to do it.
Ah! dear friend, get to know His wonderful grace today, in view of a happy life, a happy death, and a happy eternity! J. W. B.