ANY of you have read of those beautiful islands, far away in the great Southern Ocean, which have been built up by the labor, age after age, of the little coral-insect. And did you know something about these tiny creatures, you would wonder how they could do such a magnificent work.
If you could see one of these green islands, with its dazzling ring of white coral gleaming in the sun, and its stately palms reflected in the clear water, you would think such a lovely spot must indeed be a paradise, if one could be found on this earth. But living in so fair a place will not change the heart, nor make people any nearer God, and missionaries who have landed on these islands, bearing the good news of God’s love to the poor heathen people, have found that they are indeed, in spite of their beauty, dark places of the earth, full of cruelty and oppression. I think this letter, written by a boy who had been born and brought up in one of these islands, and who was only just beginning to leave off his heathen customs, may interest you. It will show you how much in earnest this poor ignorant boy was about a matter which, perhaps, has never cost you happy English boys, brought up in Christian homes, one serious thought. But I must tell you a little of his history, that you may understand how he came to think of what a solemn thing it would be for him to appear one day before God, and give an account of himself to Him.
Wadrokala’s father had taught him that the hideous idol, the only god he knew, was pleased by cruel deeds, of which it would frighten you to read. But by-and-by a missionary landed on his island, and asked leave to take him with some other boys away for a time and teach them.
Wadrokala became very fond of his teacher, and it was because he was grieved at something he had said to him in fun, which the poor boy took in earnest, that he wrote down on his slate what he felt too shy to say.
His teacher, noticing that he wore a very old pair of trousers, had said laughingly, “I see you are keeping the nice clothes I gave you to take home.” This was what Wadrokala wrote in reply, in the Nengoné language:
“Mr. Patteson,
“This is my word. I am unhappy because of the word you said to me, that I wished for clothes.
“I have left my country.
“What is the use of clothes? Can my spirit be clothed with clothes for the body? Therefore my heart is greatly afraid.
“But you said I greatly wished for clothes, which I do not care for. One thing only I care for, that I may receive the life for my spirit. Therefore I fear. I confess and say to you that it is not the thing for the body I want; but the one thing I want is the clothing for the soul. For Jesus Christ’s sake, our Lord.”
Joyfully did Mr. Patteson read this letter. Here was an answer to his earnest prayer that God would touch the hearts of those Nengoné lads, for whom He had given him such great love that he longed to be the means of bringing them to the knowledge of Christ.
Wadrokala wanted “life for the spirit,” and his teacher could point out to him those wonderful words, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou past sent.” He wanted “clothing for the soul,” and how gladly did he hear of the best robe, even the righteousness of Christ, with which alone the sinner can be clothed, so as to be fit to appear in God’s presence.
I should like you to think a little about this. Do you remember how very early in the Bible we read of people being afraid to meet God, “because they knew that they were naked.” That was the first feeling of Adam and Eve after they had disobeyed God, and it was right they should be afraid to meet His holy eye. They tried to cover themselves, but you know when they heard the voice of God they were still “afraid,” in spite of their fig leaves clothes, and hid themselves among the trees of the garden. It must have been a terrible moment for them when they were obliged to come forth and give account of themselves to God. We read that, afterwards, “unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them,” so they had garments of His providing which would really cover them, and these were a sort of picture of the way in which God now clothes a sinner with Christ. All those who are not “found naked” by-and-by will have this robe; no other covering will be of any use. You will be surprised, if you look for them, to find how many times “white robes” are spoken of in the Bible; we read also of “garments of salvation,” of “costly raiment,” and of “change of raiment,” all of which refer to the clothing suited to God’s presence and provided by Him.
You will understand the Lord’s parable (Matt. 22) better if you remember that in the East wedding garments are provided by the host for all his guests, so that there was no excuse for the man who appeared among them without one. We are not told whether he was clad in costly or mean raiment; it was enough that it was something of his own, not the robe provided by the king and suited to his presence. We read that he had no answer to the question, “Friend, how earnest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment?” He was speechless; solemn words, and terrible doom of one who dared to insult the king by coming into his presence thus unclothed; outer darkness was his portion, everlasting banishment! How different his reception from that of the poor prodigal, kissed, and clothed with the best robe, and welcomed home with rejoicing.
“Christ is a path, if any be misled;
He is a robe, if any naked be.
If any do but hunger, He is bread;
If any be but weak, how strong is He.”