WHILST sharing the afflictions of others, I was about this season plunged into one of my own. The playmate of my childhood, the friend of my riper years, a beloved sister, was suddenly removed. And yet not suddenly, for sickness had long wasted her frame. To her oppressed and weary body everything became a burden; and the experience of her heart, as to surrounding things, found expression in the language of Scripture: "I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1)) ECC 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
How chequered is human life! How varied our portion; yet all ordered of God! How the sovereignty of God is asserted in the creation around us! how especially so in the lives of His people! Yet, if our hearts were subdued to this testimony, how much sorrow we should be spared! how easily we should triumph over all affliction!
The inquiry, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" expressed the assured conviction of Abraham that it could not but be so (Gen. 18:2525That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25)) GEN 18:2525That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25). "It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good," was the submissive assent of Eli, under the prospect of a judgment which his own carelessness had provoked (1 Sam. 3:1818And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. (1 Samuel 3:18)) 1SA 3:1818And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. (1 Samuel 3:18). Yet faith advocates the right of God at the sacrifice of self.
It pleased God to take to Himself this beloved relative. She was doubly dear to those who loved her, from the fact of many years' patient suffering. Her life had much of chastened sorrow in it. Health early played the truant to her system, and strength ebbed fast away in seeking after it. Sweet, precious sufferer! the thoughts of thy long struggle with ill-health, even after a lapse of years, quickens the pulse of sympathy anew. Time, that so blunts the edge of strong impressions, has not worn out this. Years steal on youth; ripe age overtakes it. Something is learned in that strange school, experience. Consideration finds a place in foolish hearts; and then how deep the thrill of strong emotions!
There was a time when the departed and those left behind were locked in each other's arms. Death comes, and separates them, and holds the poor dust until it moulders. Yet memory is a skillful housebreaker; picks subtle locks, and laughs at bolts and bars; calls up the dead, and vividly embraces them; and as friends meet gladly who have been long asunder, so does our memory draw on the past, and clasp with more devotion faded objects. And such it is with thee, departed sister! It is not that those who love thee would recall thee. Far otherwise. But they have glimpses of thy person, and gaze on thy features until thy faded form becomes instinct with life; and affection, which has long been restrained, bursts bounds again, and though gone, and long ago, thou livest, sister! and that for good; even as a friendly monitor! For such thou wart when living, and being dead, thou still speakest.
Funeral rites are briefly chronicled in these few words: “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.'' Friends gather, and are separated; return whence they came, move onwards with the tick of life, until they too are summoned from the crowd by the same messenger.
It was so with the few who were gathered together on this sad occasion. I remained behind awhile with the bereaved household; needing comfort, yet acting comforter.
The Word of God was precious. Some of us read together how "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus"; how His grief at others' WOE called forth the words, "Behold how He loved Him" (John 11:5, 365Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. (John 11:5)
36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! (John 11:36)) JOH 11:5-365Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. 8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35Jesus wept. 36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! (John 11:5‑36) . "God manifest in the flesh"; divine, yet human; human, yet divine, wept over man: "Jesus wept." The spotless, sinless One is touched with grief. Such sorrow! Eternal love in human form found its expression in large, rolling tears, that man might comprehend that mighty love.
The Word of God is powerful, and we found it so. There were two of our little company drinking at this fountain, and their hearts were full to overflowing. The Holy Spirit took of Christ's, and showed it unto us.
Good light is needed for a finished picture.
Such are precious seasons: present joy, and future recompense. Spring is succeeded by summer; sowing by reaping. Truth in our hearts is called for in our lives; and often quickly, too. And those two friends were very soon found in circumstances where nothing but the love of God in Jesus could sustain them.
Her friend remained for other scenes and deeper trial. Never did a sweeter, gentler spirit inhabit a human body. Placed in circumstances of affluence, she appeared the only one uninfluenced by them. With a right in her position to command, her spirit was one that would submit. Fortune (which, alas to many is their only title to respect) added nothing to her merit. She was placed providentially in a position that to many would be an object of envy, as if to show the grace and lowliness of her spirit to walk in it. Humility is before honor: God Himself put honor on humility; the Lord Jesus humbled Himself (Pro. 15:3333The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33); Phil. 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)) PRO 15:3333The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33) PHI 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8) . As a wife and mother, she was exemplary; as a child, she comforted the declining years at a widowed mother; as a friend, God's poor found her such.
But let us own, that what was to be admired in her character was the work of grace within her.
A fearful disease seized upon her. The best advice the metropolis afforded was all in vain to arrest its progress. Now indeed the comforts of the Gospel were needed; divine support alone could sustain her, and it was amply vouchsafed. Necessarily much confined to her room, she searched her Bible diligently. She underlined portions which more particularly struck her mind, and thus left behind her a precious and striking memorial of the workings of her soul.
Life, abstractedly considered, is a joyous thing; the trials which we meet with do not change that fact. Wearisome days and nights may be appointed unto us: "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:77Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job 5:7)) JOB 5:77Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job 5:7) . But still life, existence, is God's gift to His creatures. Death is the opposite, and nature shrinks from it; struggles hard against the enemy; protects the part invaded; summons all aid against encroachment, and only yields to overwhelming force.
Philosophy sought in vain to unravel the mystery of man's decay: mankind had lost the key to their history. God in His mercy revealed it in His Word. Death is the wages of sin; "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)) ROM 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) . We die because we are sinners: " In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:1717But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17)) GEN 2:1717But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17) . Adam did eat, and died, and entailed death on his offspring. We enter into a world where death reigns, because sin is there. Sin cries, with a loud voice," Pay me my wages "; and one after another make up the reckoning; generation after generation pass into the insatiable jaws of death. Some sink like lead, are horrorstricken at his aspect, groan in their agony, and pass away. Some (how few!) smile at his terrors, open their besom to his dart, bid him strike home, and cry exultingly, as he pierces their vitals, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:55-5755O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55‑57)) 1CO 15:55-5755O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55‑57).
“The one of whom I am writing was amongst these few." The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “was her triumphant experience (Psa. 27:11<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)) PSA 27:11<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) . The disease gained rapidly upon her, and after some months' residence in London, she was brought home to die. I was engaged in service at my usual abode. Returning home one evening, I was led to think much about her. My spirit was oppressed, and after a restless night, I felt imperatively called to go and see her. I could riot resist the impression, and I took the rail the following morning.
How striking are such impressions! how, in the history of God's people, such instances have arisen! In "Biographical Notices of Eminent Servants of God" (by S. Clarke, 1678), is given a remarkable instance of a minister who awoke troubled and anxious about a friend; so much so, that he arose at midnight, and hastened away some miles distant. Strange providence! His friend, under mental trial, had resolved upon suicide. The rope was attached to the beam; a few moments more, and he would have entered eternity. The arrival of the minister at this juncture arrested his hand; he confessed his purpose; they prayed together. The darkness was dissipated from his soul, and with humbler penitent heart he confessed his sin, and was restored.
When I entered the apartment of my sick friend, she stretched out her hand, and never shall I forget the look with which she greeted me, and her words, “I prayed yesterday that the Lord would send you; and here you Are!
As she was thus praying, my heart was troubled about her a hundred miles distant.
We recognized the finger of God, bowed together in prayer, which was graciously given suitable to her need.
That night she was seized with violent hemorrhage. After three days' patient suffering her spirit was released. Her consolations in the Gospel abounded: and the heart of a fond husband and beloved child have this comfort in their bereavement, that their loss was her eternal gain. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)) 2CO 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1) .
J. W.