“There is an hour of peaceful rest
To mourning wanderers given,
There is a tear for souls distressed,
A balm for every wounded breast:
'Tis found above—in heaven!
“Then Faith lifts up the tearful eye,
The heart with anguish riven,
And views the tempest passing by,
The evening shadows quickly fly,
And all serene—in heaven!”
"OUR chief hindrance to entire resignation is, that we are so much addicted to things present and visible, while eternal realities are as yet so foreign to us, and so little known. But, could we take one glance at the condition of a spirit departed, we should never regret and lament, as we are apt to do, the decease of relatives and friends; but our grief would rather be on account of the dim-sightedness of weeping survivors.
“Surely when the door of paradise is opened, to let in any of our departed friends, delicious breezes bloom through it upon us from that abode of blessedness. And we ought to avail ourselves of such refreshing influence; we ought to let it quicken us in following after those who have gone before us, rather than wish those friends back again to a world like this. Who could ever think of congratulating any that have been enjoying heavenly rest for ten, a hundred, or a thousand years together, upon their having to return back again to the perils and dangers of this present life? Why, then, should we regard it as an affliction that any one of our number has escaped from such perils, and is only entered into perfect peace and security? If a vacancy has been made in the family circle, let it also be remembered that another vacancy has been filled up in heaven. The nearer we in this world are approaching the end of all things, the more welcome should be the thought of dying, because every departed Christian finds that the multitude of the blessed is increasingly outnumbering the militant remnant, and because the whole family of God are thus successively gathering in, that we may be all together forever with the Lord."
What lesson, then, is to be learned from this short, eventful Life? The soul that is daily exercised before God, by the habit of entering into His presence by faith, has been taught, by such constant intercourse, much of His mind and ways; and, consequently, will gather much instruction from His dealings with His children; will receive many profitable lessons from observing the path in which He leads them through the wilderness; lessons that will escape the observation of the inexperienced Christian, or of those who take only a superficial glance at the Lord's dealings. Every fresh view that presents to us, in this way, more of God's character, deepens the inward experience of the saint, strengthens the spirit of prayer, and must lead to practical results.
The life of every child of God is fraught with circumstances of encouragement and warning; and if our spiritual judgment were more frequently exercised in discriminating between good and evil, we might perceive deep lessons of truth lying hidden in those little occurrences which often appear to us unworthy of serious attention. Or, on the other hand, the event may be full of natural interest to us; but if we view it not in God's light, we can derive from it only natural light (for it is only as viewed in the light of God that we can receive from it that spiritual instruction which is the paramount blessing our Lord offers us in it), and then His instructions fall to the ground, and He speaks in vain, inasmuch as we lose the blessing intended to have been conveyed to us through them.
In Bessie's sorrows we may trace the Lord's love and faithfulness. He raised up sources of comfort which exactly met the exigency of the hour; and yet, in so mingling her cup with trial, that she might not be tempted to loiter by the way, to take up her rest in things below, but might receive a daily memento to walk wisely in the perfect way. Her mind was eminently ideal and imaginative; it needed the discipline of the sanctuary to sober her expectations, and to mellow her pictures. That discipline was, in love, afforded. She retained her buoyancy of spirit; she increased the power of clothing every object in the natural world around, and every circumstance of life, with a halo of charm and beauty; but it was with the beauty of holiness, with the beam of the sanctuary. She excelled in the natural capability of gathering delight and sweetness from every object and circumstance from which a drop of honey could be extracted; but it was honey from the rock—the Rock of Ages—her Rock. Her God had weaned her from every broken cistern, and so filled her with His own love, that nothing could satisfy the heavenly affections and desires of that sanctified one but His own immediate presence, to which she was early taken. If she had once indulged in earthly visions of enjoyment, a blight had come over them all; and when I knew her she had discovered their worthlessness; and, lightened of every weight, she ran with patience the race set before her.
Alas! how often is it to be lamented that many who, in the earlier stage of their heavenward course, appeared to follow Jesus with fervor and single-heartedness, as time proceeds, insensibly slacken their pace, and suffer established habits to be substituted for the uninterrupted communion with God, the continual guidance of His Spirit, the renewing of the inward man day by day by that Spirit which is the alone Teacher, and Maintainer of life, either in the Church at large, or in its individual members— thus appearing to resemble the Israelites of old, who, though they were fed with heavenly manna, yet, when they were weary with the length of the journey, longed for the food of Egypt, saying, "Our soul loatheth this light bread." When they were in a murmuring spirit they called that which had supported and strengthened them during so many years "light bread.”
And, as it was with the Israelites in temporal things, so is it with us in spiritual things. The soul that has grown languid, and is not in a healthful state, is not satisfied with simple truth. It is those that desire to grow thereby that love the sincere milk of the Word. In former days Christ had been all sufficient for them—they had eaten angels' food; but now they seek for amusement and excitement from external objects, forgetting that we are never led by God to expect happiness from that earth of which He has expressly declared that it is cursed, and that it shall alone, spontaneously, bring forth to man thorns and thistles; therefore we are here like "strangers and pilgrims," traveling on to "a better country, that is, an heavenly" (Heb. 11:1616But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16)); that ours is a Life of faith; that our joys are hidden joys, such as the world cannot take cognizance of. As our Lord tells us, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16: 33. When, from not cleaving closely to the Lord, we cease to enjoy peace in Him, we fly to the world to supply that void which He alone can fill; but we learn, in bitterness of spirit, that it is an empty show, and that we shall not find Test unto our souls until we return to Him from whom we have grievously departed.
Though this spiritual declension is often met with, it cannot be palliated; for it is written, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs iv. 18. The light itself cannot groom dim, for it is as imperishable as that God from whom it proceeds; but we may obscure or hide the light.
Earthly fire exhausts itself, but the eternal life which God has imparted unto us is indestructible. God saw that in His Church, both collectively and individually, there would be a natural tendency to depart from Him, therefore sets forth a solemn warning in the first exhortation to the seven Churches: I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Thou hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted, etc. But lave was absent. Therefore those works of labor and zeal, from which that sanctifying principle was absent, were as a husk without a kernel, as a form without life. They were exhorted to return to the point whence they first started, to do their first work—LOVE. But What is departing from Him? It is turning the eye of the soul from beholding Him in the Spirit; for it is only by the eye of a heart purified by faith we can behold God in the Spirit. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
But it was not so with Bessie. She not only whilst on earth viewed in the Spirit Him whom she loved, but she had the favor to be taken to her Father's house whilst the candle of the Lord shone brightly upon her. No remembrance of her exists but such as is fraught with the love of Jesus. One feature in her experience, that we may mention as a striking proof of her grace, was the en-tire absence of everything speculative and mystical. She passed much time alone, in prayer and meditation, in order that she might come forth with renewed strength for service and endurance. Every incident, however trifling in itself, became to her a sanctified occupation, for God was brought into it. She lived not for herself, but for others. Her daily life was a beautiful pattern of self renunciation. She seemed never to think of herself, but if others needed her help she would (according to the example of her blessed Master) relinquish the enjoyment of being alone, that she might attend to the claim which was made on her for the ministry of love. If brought into contact with any worldliness or inconsistency in others, a grieved look, or a gentle rebuke, spoken with the utmost tenderness, was the only sign she gave of the pain it caused her. Faithfulness with her was no effort; it seemed the effect of love—love to her heavenly Father, love to her brethren on earth. Deep and anxious were her desires for the welfare of others. She told me that her natural disposition was proud, and her temper passionate; that as a child she used to stamp her foot on the ground from anger. But I never saw her once ruffled. Tears of sympathy or sadness she often shed, but a shade of fretfulness never darkened her brow.
In reference to her death, some might say that, at such an hour, when on the borders of eternity, if her soul had been filled with the Lord's presence, she could not have turned aside to look with so much interest on an earthly object—to comfort him whom she was leaving alone and disconsolate. But was not this a striking proof of the enlargement of her heart through grace, and of the full confidence with which she reposed in God's love? Had a shade of doubt as to her acceptance in Christ come over her mind at this hour, when she was soon to appear in the presence of God, she would have been occupied with self-anxiety would have filled her breast; and there would have been no room for the exhibition of human sympathies, which, whilst sanctified by grace, are also deepened by it.
This was shown by the example of Him into whose image she was molded. When, for the joy that was set before hin, He endured the cross, His mother, and His loved disciple, were not forgotten. In the bitter anguish of His spirit on the cross His love for them remained.
In the instance before us, Bessie only reflected the grace she had derived from her God and Savior. One who was present said, that nothing could have been more solemn or touching than that parting scene. The dying tears she shed, when embracing her husband, were quite characteristic of her whose sensibilities were so deep. Never was he dearer to her affections than when the earthly link was dissolving. In writing of his departed one, Mr. A. W—says, "To Paint fully What I think of Bessie is impossible, and therefore I shall not attempt a word on it. I feel far too unable, in presence of such vivid love, light, and life.
“Sweet is the memory of her name,
And soft her dying bed.'
She is one of the brightest children of the coming day, and she is waiting for the honor that shall be hers, at the right hand of Him who cometh at that day.”
She was much beloved and esteemed by the members of the family into which she married. Mrs. W acted as a true mother to her; and Bessie returned her affection by the fullest confidence and love. After her death Mrs. W.— wrote, “What a heavenly-minded creature she was! How dear to me I could not express, but I loved her quite as my own precious child; and truly were our hearts bound together by the most tender and loving ties; and we had such perfect confidence in each other, that she was endeared to me in a most especial and remarkable manner; and severe, indeed, was the pang of separation. Yet all is in love and mercy I am sure—the discipline of a tender and loving Father; and sweet, most sweet, is the hope of an eternal reunion when He sees best.”
Before closing I would address a few words to whose who are still young.
You have been dwelling on the life of one who in youth sought the Lord and found Him; and, if you are vet thoughtless, occupied merely with the things of this earth, oh! let me beseech you to consider your ways." If in the morning of life you sow to the flesh, what can you expect in the evening but of the flesh to reap corruption? Gal. 6:88For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8). Do not say you are young, and there is time enough yet to seek the Lord. Life is uncertain: you do not know how long you may live. But even if your life should be spared for some years to come, are you only willing to give to God the close of your days, whilst you spend the prime of life upon yourselves?
"Think, oh, think, how much you owe Him!”
the many mercies He has already made you prove; of the gracious invitations He holds out for you to seek Him, and the promises that those that seek shall find. "I love them that love Me, and those that seek me early shall find Me." Prov. 8:1717I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17). Will you make no response? Oh! resist not these gracious appeals any longer. "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth?" Jer. 3:44Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? (Jeremiah 3:4). From this day seek the Lord with "all your heart," being assured that if you do so, you shall find Him.
“Oh! let the roving, treach'rous heart,
Like Mary, choose the blessed part,
And leave the trifles of a day
For joys that never fade away.
“Then let the wildest storms arise,
Let tempests mingle earth and skies,
No fatal shipwreck need we fear,
For God our Savior still is near.”
But these pages may meet the eye of those who have sought the Lord early, and found Him. Such would I urge to press forward to greater holiness. It is not often we find those who are young so entirely devoted to the Lord as was Bessie. But why should they not? It is true there are many snares and dangers around the path of youth; but do not be appalled at the difficulties; draw freely from God's strength, and you will over-come the wicked one, who places these temptations in your way, hoping, by them, to lead you from the narrow path. But though in yourself alone you have no strength to resist Satan, yet through Christ strengthening you, you can do all things. Phil. 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13).
Consider, then, the example of her whose life you have been reading, and follow her, as she followed Christ. 1 Cor. 11:11Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1). The same grace that was given to her, and which enabled her to bear faithful witness for her Master, is also offered to you, and God is more willing to give than we are to receive. But whilst we are allowed to derive profit from observing the fruits of the Spirit borne by any believer (and the more we are taught of God, the more quick shall we be to discern that which is spiritual in others), at the same time let us not have our eye turned from "the Great Exemplar," while we are admiring His work in others. The brightest saint that ever trod this earth had that light in an earthen vessel. There is only One who is worthy of our entire confidence, who is set before us as an infallible standard of truth and holiness; even He who died for our sins, and put them away forever, and who left us an example that we should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21).
We cannot dwell too minutely ion every word and action, of His blessed life; but the more we gaze on Him, the more shall we be transformed into His image, the less shall we value all that the world can afford, and the more shall we desire to consecrate ourselves to God, body, soul, and spirit, as a living sacrifice, holt' and acceptable unto Him, which is our reasonable service. "Learn of me;" says the Lord; "for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Rom: 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:2323And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23); Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29).
“Lord Jesus, could we always keep
Our eyes on Thee, the living way,
We then, though now but wand'ring sheep,
Should no more err, or go astray;
But wheresoe'er Thou goest, we
Would follow on most cheerfully.”