NOTICE OF MR. WILLIAM REID, LATE EDITOR OF " THE BIBLE HERALD."
ON the 8th of August, the beloved brother, the devoted servant of Christ, and able editor of the " Bible Witness and Review " quietly fell asleep: On the afternoon of the 11th, in Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh, in presence of a large and sorrowing company, the body of our friend was committed, not to the dust, but to the safe keeping of Him who had redeemed him at such an infinite cost. The pale, calm countenance, has passed from our midst, but the name of William Reid will long be remembered, and his memory fondly cherished by many. His removal to the Lord's immediate presence is surely his gain, his Master's joy, and our loss; yet, if the standard bearers enter one by one into rest, the Church is more immediately cast upon the grace and resources of the living God, and He is enough, blessed be His name forever!
Mr. Reid never excelled as a preacher, nor was he specially fitted to address large congregations, but of his godliness in private life, his self-denying labors of love, and devoted services to his Master, we might speak, and that too in terms of highest praise; but we forbear. His record is on high, and his name and deeds are there engraved on imperishable tablets. Christ will in the day of His glory and ours, publish the name and doings of His own. We have no wish therefore to laud our departed brother, but we may remark that his numerous works testify that he was possessed in a high degree of those qualities fitting him intellectually and divinely to minister Christ and grace to the Church of God. We know of no work of modern date and of like character which obtained such a worldwide circulation, and was so owned of God in blessing to souls as " The Blood of Jesus."
We had a note from our beloved brother, penciled in bed, but a few weeks before he went to the Lord, proposing that the third volume of the "Bible Witness and Review" should be sent to the Presbyterian clergymen of Scotland. Shall not the dying request of the Lord's servant be fulfilled?
By voice and pen in various ways and measures the tale of grace is proclaimed far and near, but what will it be to gather around the Lord of glory while He tells of the wonders of His cross and love. O, how the music of that well-known voice will thrill our souls. We shall " talk " (Mark 9:44And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:4)), and " walk " (Rev. 3:44Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)) with Him in company with our departed brother in those deathless regions of eternal delight. W. S.
Lord, it belongs not to my care,
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long, I will be glad,
That I may long obey
If short, yet why should I be sad,
Since God appoints my day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
And he that to God's kingdom comes,
Must enter by His door.
Come! then, since grace has made me meet,
Thy blessed face to see '
For if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be?
Then, then, shall end my sad complaints,
My desert pilgrim days,-
End in the triumph of the Saints-
In endless songs of praise.
My knowledge of that life is small;
The eye of faith is dim;
But 'tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him.
-From BAXTER.