WHAT would life be without hope? What would death be without hope? Each day, even in the affairs of this life, a “something beyond” is expected. We think of what we shall do or see in the evening, or tomorrow, or next week, and this sort of anticipation keeps up the spirits, and nerves the heart and hand to energy. But what can be more touching than to hear a dying person say, “I am going, but I have no hope. There is nothing bright before me.”
Whether in health or in sickness, in life or in death, a good hope of eternal blessedness gives joy and peace of a most solid kind; and when this hope is a certainty, because founded on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, what can shake its steadfastness?
Mrs. E. was left a widow with two little boys, Charles and William. Her husband died of consumption at the age of twenty-seven. In her early girlhood she had given her heart to the Lord, and in her deep trial she was enabled to trust a Father’s love, knowing that He would take her and her orphan children under His protection.
The little ones learned to read the word of God when very young; Charles could read his Bible at four years old, and William at five, mother and sons studying the holy scriptures together. She taught them to see everything in God, and God in everything, from the small blade of grass to the mighty orbs of the heavens.
They loved to learn and had serious thoughts from time to time, and when about fourteen years of age, they laid hold on eternal life, trusting in the blood that was shed for sinners on Calvary.
When Charles was thirteen he went into an office with a view to a clerkship, and William a little later was apprenticed to a trade. In the course of time they finished with success what they had undertaken, and both lads went to London, whence William proceeded to Liverpool, where he is still honorably employed.
The mother, when parting with her beloved boys, commended them both to Him Whom they loved and trusted, giving them these texts: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things [i.e., food and raiment] shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)); “Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength” (Isa. 26:44Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:4)). And she ceased not to present them before the Lord in frequent prayer.
In a few years Charles was attacked by the disease that had proved fatal to his father, and was ordered to return to his native place, the Island of Guernsey, where his mother received him with tenderness, and did everything for him that her loving heart could suggest.
His London employers were very kind, and told him to stay until his health was restored. When his mother heard him speak of this, she thought, “My dear Charles is still young, and may be flattering himself that he will recover.”
So she said to him, “Ah! my dear Charles, if you were to live to my age, and have a thousand a year, you would still have to go and leave it behind.”
His answer will never be forgotten by her. He looked at her steadfastly, drew himself up, and said, “Oh, mother, what is a thousand a year compared with what I have before me—my happy home.”
She then felt satisfied her dear one was safe. He was going to the Father Who had lent him to her for twenty-six years, and she glorified God for this testimony of his hope. A bright hope indeed it was. He was always speaking of the happy home to which he was going.
The last month through which he lived was June. Several times he said, “Mother, I think I shall live this month out; then my happy spirit will wing its way on high, for Heaven is my home.’” He composed some beautiful lines, each verse ending: —
“Heaven is my home; ‘t is home to me,
And there my Father’s face I’ll see.”
On the last day of June, the doctor said, “You are near your end.” Charles smiled. “Are you prepared for a change?” His answer was, “Yes, sir.” “Then,” said the doctor, “let us thank God for it.” The good doctor told the mother to kneel beside the bed, and when she had done so, he joined his hands over the sick man and thanked God for Jesus Christ’s sake.
During the next night, which was his last, Charles was very quiet and happy. In the morning he said to his mother, “I want nothing more in this world but prayer, — then soon, praise.”
With a smile on his face he passed away in perfect peace, at ten in the morning of the first of July. And the fond mother’s heart was comforted, for she knew that “absent from the body,” he was “present with the Lord.”
“Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee,
God’s right hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thine earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight and prayer to praise.”
H.L.R.
“LORD, I confess this morning I remembered my breakfast, but forgot my prayers.”