" The good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."-John 10:11.
" I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."-Psa. 122:1.
VERY little needs to be said by way of preface. The " MEDITATIONS " are well known. Their reappearance in a separate volume, is to meet the expressed wish of many friends.
Besides, when lying scattered in short meditations amongst other papers, as in " Things New and Old," they are less readable. Indeed, the difficulty in reading them connectedly, even when there is a willing mind, is so great, that comparatively few will take the trouble. But they are so convenient in the present form, and so different to the reader when thus together, that it is almost like a new book.
The circumstances under which the greater part of the Meditations on the TWENTY-THIRD PSALM were written, and of which they may be said to be the MEMORIAL, give them a special interest to some. But that circle is narrowing. Many who loved and were loved, have gone to the Lord since JULY 1ST, 1864. The earth is becoming poorer, but heaven grows richer. They have gone before, we are following after. "A LITTLE WHILE," expresses the period of our separation.
The main object of these Meditations, I may here say, is to lead both writer and reader to greater nearness in heart to God. There is no piety so deep or real as the reference of the heart to God in everything, and all day long. This is living in God's presence-beneath the glance of His eye. " I will guide thee with mine eye," is the promise. Wondrous truth!-a child of God on earth, taught to read his Father's eye in heaven! This indeed is nearness-guidance-fellowship-fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ, through the teaching and power of the Holy Spirit. (Psa. 32; 1 John 1:3.)
When our souls are in this state, we walk in the light as God is in the light. We are happy to have everything that concerns us looked at there. Christ is revealed to the soul in His fullness and glory, by the Holy Spirit. Our joy is full. Difficulties vanish. Clouds and darkness disappear before His brightness. Our love to Him rises to the measure of our enjoyment of His love to us: we can never rise higher than what we see in Him, whether it be love, self-denial, or service. Hence the practical importance of these words, "Looking unto Jesus."
There may be troubles on every side, as to the circumstances through which we are passing, but amidst them all the heart is calm, peaceful, and quietly referring all to God. Faith looks only to Him; it trusts only in Him; " the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." (Psa. 25; 62)
Fain would I lead my many dear young friends thus to walk with the Lord. If one we love be far away, we not only think of that one, but we instinctively refer all that interests us to the absent one. Before we are aware, we find ourselves wondering what he would think of this-what he would say to that. This is natural-it is the communion of hearts that love; distance cannot hinder it. Thus should it be with the child of God and his Father-with the disciple and his Lord.
In faithfulness and love would I say, in conclusion -make Christianity the one great business of your lives, and make all other things bend to it. It is worthy of the entire consecration of heart and life. There can be no solid peace, no lasting happiness, no steadfastness of course, without this. When other things share the heart with Christ, all goes wrong spiritually. The conscience becomes uneasy, the heart becomes unhappy, and feebleness in divine things soon follows.
May the Lord keep us all very near to Himself and ever walking in the light of His countenance; and may He bless to many, many souls, the following Meditations, and His name shall have all the glory.
A. M.
London.