Two young Christians lived for some time in the same family, the one as governess to the children, the other as companion to the aged grandmother, and were, in consequence, much thrown together. The young governess, who was, in every sense of the word, alone in the world, conceived a most ardent affection for the companion, who, while she loved her friend, yet did so with far less apparent ardor. But time passed. The governess at length possessed a home of her own, in which her early friend was ever a most welcome guest. During one of her visits, the companion, whose health had given way, suffered almost unceasingly the most acute pain. One day she proposed that they should pray together. They did so, and for the first time alone. The effect was wonderful, and not ever to be forgotten by either. Kneeling thus together, close to God, His love was in an especial way shed abroad in their hearts, and they loved as they had never loved before.
That friendship, however true, is not perfect which is unconsecrated by prayer; and the friends who have not introduced God into their love, have yet the only satisfying as well as the sweetest joy to taste. When once the feeling of restraint, which often prevents even christian friends from treating God as a Friend―one to be spoken to not only in secret―is removed, there is also removed all let or hindrance to true christian love itself.
That love between David and Jonathan, which was wonderful, passing even the love of women, was it not because of “the LORD between me and thee,” as Jonathan touchingly expressed it? Did not Jonathan “strengthen David’s hand in God”? Was it not “the kindness of the Lord” which he asked from David for himself and his house? and was it not “the kindness of God” which David gave? No youthful love, if merely human, would ever have attained such strength.
Scarcely less sweet than meeting the Lord alone is meeting Him in the sweet society of one beloved of Him. It was sweet to be Mary, who saw Him all alone and first on that day of His resurrection; but sweet as well was it, for those two disciples whose hearts He made to burn within them, on the evening of that day. Man’s unity is two, but that of God is three; and “a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.” Love in the Lord is not only the sweetest and intensest love, but it is eternal.
E. B―k