IT was my privilege to be at the bedside of two aged Christians who were very near passing away. They were upwards of eighty years of age, and had seen the jubilee of a wedded life. For many years they had been children of God, but like thousands more they did not enjoy their relationship to God the Father.
When the question was put to them as to the knowledge of this joy, they both looked up with not particularly bright countenances. The husband replied, “I hope so”; and the wife broke in with, “Ah, yes; we shall know all about it when we get up there.”
“But the Lord would have you enjoy the reality of that eternal relationship now, just where you are.”
“You don’t mean to tell us we can enjoy that great blessing while in these poor bodies.”
As the best answer, I read to them, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
“Do you believe this?” I said.
“Oh, yes! I believe all the Lord said.”
“Well, those that believe have everlasting life. Mark the three words, ‘and is passed.’ It is a present accomplished fact, true as you lie there.”
“There, now,” said the husband to the wife, “I never saw it in that way before.”
“Nor have I,” said the wife. “How beautiful it is.”
A few days after I was with them again, but was sorry to find they had fallen back into their former state. They were hoping to know it by-and-by.
It seemed very strange to me that these two Christians should have changed so. I happened to inquire whether there had been other visitors, and heard of two who had called. And these “miserable comforters” had told the simpleminded couple they ought to wait with patience till they got to heaven.
I read to them, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)), and pointed out how the present and future are so beautifully brought out in that verse. It had the effect of true comfort upon them. The joy that now filled their hearts was real beyond a doubt. Gladness beamed in each countenance. Every hindrance was removed, and the Lord in His great love kept them from further doubts and fears.
Later on, I was called in, as the husband was evidently close to the end. Finding he could hear, we sang very softly in his ear the hymn, “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, In a believer’s ear!” As we sung the last lines, “And triumph in that glorious name, Which quells the power of death,” he raised his hands and distinctly though feebly said, “Praise, praise the Lord.”
Just at the last the question was put to him, “Is the Lord precious to you now?” All distinctly heard the feeble answer, “Yes, yes.”
“You know now you are going to be forever with the Lord.”
Clearly came his last words on earth, “Yes, praise, praise”; and with a sweet smile he fell asleep in Jesus.
One month after, his partner followed him. During the interval I frequently visited her and found her in full enjoyment of Christ and of the hope of the glory of God. She often remarked that she was now enjoying what she might have done fifty years before.
Her last moments are not easily to be forgotten. When I called, I was told she had no knowledge of any one, not even of her own sister.
I took her hand and sang softly to her as to her husband, “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds.” Her head turned in a listening attitude. I said, “You find that name precious to you now, don’t you?” “Yes, yes, yes, yes,” she said. And shortly after her happy spirit went to be forever with the Lord.
E. A.