IT has been my somewhat painful privilege, during the last few years, to witness the home— nearing of many of God’s children, and to see their joyous and triumphant victory, through grace, over the enemy death. Pleasant indeed it is to stand by the bedside of a dying Christian, and to see how calmly and peacefully he waits and watches for the word of release from a body of sin and pain to the happy, welcome home to paradise. True, indeed, the end of the Christian’s toil and suffering is peace!
The Lord Jesus, when speaking on one occasion to His disciples, foretold them of His departure to the Father, and of the trials and sorrows which they would experience after He had left them. This somewhat astonished and perplexed them, and sorrow filled their hearts. When the Lord saw their distress, He was touched with compassion, and gave expression to sweet, tender words of sympathy. Yet He did not tell them all, for He said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” Ah! we none of us like saying good-bye and parting with loved ones, and though it is an oft-recurring experience in human life, still it always causes sorrow. And so the thought of parting with their dear, loving Master, whose words and company had ever filled their hearts with joy and delight, was to the disciples an inexpressible sorrow. Beautiful are the words of comfort Jesus addresses to them and to us. It was expedient for them that He should go away; He would not leave them comfortless. He would send one, the Comforter, who should abide with them forever. “Be of good cheer,” says He; “in the world ye shall have tribulation, but in Me ye shall have peace.”
Now I will narrate the comfort and joy these words, “Be of good cheer,” can give to one in the time of sickness and death, as recently witnessed.
William W., by occupation a gardener, was called upon, amid the bloom and vigor of youth, at the age of twenty-two, to resign his spirit to the God who gave it. William had been smitten with a wasting disease, and his season of suffering was borne with exemplary Christian fortitude and patience, which made it a real pleasure to wait upon and visit him. He would listen with joy to the reading and exposition of the Scriptures, and grasp their sweet truths with all the simplicity of a child. Through all his illness never a murmur escaped his lips, and, though old hopes would at times revive, yet, conscious of the inevitable issue of his illness, he looked forward with hope and joy to that time when he should enter into the rest which remains for the people of God.
Surely of a truth Christ is a firm foundation to build and to rest upon, and a blessed reality is His love, which enables the young to rejoice in and cheerfully to submit to the will of God.
On one occasion, when visiting him, William was seized with a violent fit of coughing, and having been during that day in great pain, he was exceedingly prostrate. As soon as he regained his strength sufficiently to speak, he said, with a sweet smile, “Be of good cheer! Ah! those words have been a great joy and comfort to me many times lately, especially when I have felt at all sad and lonely. I have seemed to hear them spoken afresh to me by Jesus Himself, and I have felt His presence very near, and it has been so sweet and precious to me.”
So time passed on. William grew gradually weaker, until at last he was confined to the house, unable to move about without help: still he never murmured nor complained. He employed himself as strength would permit, and has left behind him, as a memorial of his declining days, some beautiful carved woodwork.
All that a fond father and mother could do, combined with the skill of a kind and clever physician, was done to alleviate the young man’s sufferings and smooth his passage to the end. The Lord, however, was daily drawing him nearer to Himself, and very soon it became obvious William would be at rest.
On the occasion of my last visit, which was on the Sunday previous to his death, he was very ill, and his breathing had become very heavy. I spoke to him about the “many mansions,” when he, in broken accents, said, “God is a good Father: Jesus is coming for me very soon.” Then I repeated his favorite words, “Be of good cheer.” He lifted his eyes heavenward, a radiant smile passed over his face, and he answered, cheerfully, “Yes.”
I bade him good-bye, and we parted to meet no more until we meet in the Father’s house above. On calling the next evening I found he was gone. He had said to his mother, “Isn’t it strange I should feel so sleepy?” He then closed his eyes, and soon afterward sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. His last words were― “Peace, peace!” Yes, he was gone from sin and suffering to the home of life and peace, where there is no sickness nor sorrow. In the bright and beautiful home of God, after a few more trials, tears, and partings, all the loved ones of the Lord shall be safely gathered in, to go no more out forever.
Now I think from Willie’s short life, and triumphant death, we may learn this one all-important lesson one which needs to be specially enforced among the young people of today, namely, that Christ is the only One who can truly fit and prepare us either for a short or a long life. Faith in Him is the only thing that can give true peace and lasting joy, and make the dying bed feel soft as downy pillows. The love of Christ in the heart makes childhood blessed, ennobles youth, elevates manhood, and makes old age bright and beautiful. Childhood and youth form essentially the best time to ensure the great reward by serving the Lord, for life is uncertain, and quickly vanishes away. I would say to all young people who may read this simple story, “Remember 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.” W.C.