We were standing on the pier at Kobe, an immense city in Japan, waiting for a huge ocean steamer to start on its way out into the Pacific Ocean. Last farewells were being given to many travelers by their friends who had come to see them off. Among others, a large group of Japanese had gathered to see a Japanese gentleman start on his journey. Their friend stood on deck, high up above the wharf where they were waiting. Each one below held in his hand a colored paper ribbon, each of which led into the traveler’s hand above. It was a very pretty sight, arid though they all knew well that the slender bond connecting them must soon be broken, still it formed a link for a little while longer.
A beloved Japanese brother who had come to the boat to see me off was standing by, and as we watched the little company he remarked—pointing to the one on board ship:
“There is the Head in heaven;” and pointing to those on the pier, “There we are on the earth, and the ribbon is the Holy Spirit by whom we are joined to the Head.”
It was a lovely thought, and as we sailed far out into the Sea of Japan, I knew that there was a living link that could never be broken between my Lord and me. I knew, that though distance had parted me from my brethren, that through the Head in heaven, we were all linked together with a bond that nothing could sever—not only
“Though sundered far, by faith they meet,
Before the common Mercy Seat,”
but that ever and always, whether recognized or not, there was that precious bond of the, Holy Spirit making us all one in Christ.
May we, dear brethren, enter more fully into this precious mystery; and more delight to revel, in the midst of sorrows and separations too sad to utter, in this unfailing truth of God.