M—C—was dying. The sands of her hour-glass had nearly run out. Death had no terrors for her. For many a long year she had known and trusted her Saviour. If ever a Christian adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour, she did. She thoroughly believed in that verse, “As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men.” The needy and sorrowful found in her a helper and comforter. The orphans and fatherless claimed her special sympathy. China and India’s perishing millions drew out her fervent prayers. It was ever her joy to point the laboring and heavy-laden to Jesus.
“Joy to confess His blessed name,
The virtues of His blood,
And to the wearied heart proclaim,
Behold the Lamb of God.”
She was not rich in worldly goods, but her house, and all that she had, was held at her Lord’s disposal. Many of His servants have experienced her practical love, for she was given to hospitality, and delighted to entertain them.
Eighty-three years were the days of her pilgrimage. Very early in life she was enregistered among the redeemed. Her name was written in heaven, in this she could rejoice. The finished work of Christ was her resting-place.
Perhaps you say, I can quite understand any one who has lived a holy, consistent, Christian life like that not being afraid to die. Let me tell you this was not the ground of her confidence, she would have repudiated with her whole soul the very thought of good works as the ground of her salvation. Christ and His atoning work was the rock on which she rested. The one and only name she looked to for salvation was Jesus. Several days before she passed away she lay in a semi-conscious state. As I bent over her for the last time I repeated some lines of which she was very fond: —
“The Saviour’s precious blood
Has made my title sure;
He passed through death’s dark raging flood
To make my rest secure.”
I also quoted that verse, “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end.” The very mention of the eternal Lover of her soul seemed to infuse new vigor; she warmly pressed my hands with both hers, and said, “WE SHALL SEE HIM TOGETHER.”
These were the last words I heard fall from her lips. Over and over again I have repeated them, “We shall see Him together.” My soul has anticipated that blessed moment when the whole company of the redeemed shall be caught up “together.” Dead and living saints united shall see Him together. We shall see Him as He is, be like Him, and with Him forever. Our enraptured gaze will be an everlasting one. “Our Lord Jesus Christ died for us that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him.” “Together” with the Redeemer, and “together” with the redeemed. Surely the sum and substance of blessedness is to live with Him and them in life’s eternal home.
I wonder if you, my reader, were dying, whether you also could say, “We shall see Him together.” See Him you will, see Him you must. John said, “Every eye shall see him.” Job could say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, whom I shall see for myself.” Isaiah said, “Mine eyes shall see the King in his beauty.” Balaam said, “I shall see him, but not nigh.” Your godly parents are perhaps with Christ. Your converted sister is also with the Lord. Shall you see Him together? If Christ were to come whilst you are reading this paper (and I should not be surprised if He did), every redeemed and ransomed soul, from Abel downwards, would see Him together, and live together forever. Would you? Are you among the redeemed? or are you making Balaam’s mistake? He said, “Not now.” His heart was filled with the present love of money; he bartered eternal blessing for the present wages of unrighteousness, hence will see Him, but “not nigh.” If you say, “Not now,” the time will come when God will say, “Not nigh.” The rich man took his fill of enjoyment in this world; he opened his eyes too late; he saw a happiness he was debarred from sharing forever.
This has always struck me as the bitterest drop in the cup of sorrow the impenitent will be called upon to drink. They will see the redeemed in the enjoyment of all that is meant by “Abraham’s bosom,” but see afar off, for an impassable gulf lies between. Balaam said, “Not now.” God said, “Not nigh.”
What are you saying?
“Many are choosing Christ today,
Turning from all their sins away;
Heaven shall their blessed portion be—
Where will you spend eternity?
Eternity, eternity,
Where will you spend eternity?”
H. N.