"Be watchful, be ready, for shipwreck prepare,Keep an eye on the life-boat, but never despair!"
"Be watchful, be ready, for shipwreck prepare,Keep an eye on the life-boat, but never despair!"
"Be watchful, be ready, for shipwreck prepare,
Keep an eye on the life-boat, but never despair!"
All along our coast the Government has built massive and strong light-houses to guide and warn the tempest-tossed mariner. The passage may have been hazardous to many a staunch ship and brave crew, occasioned by constant exposure to a multiplicity of dangers seen and unseen. Who can tell of the deep anxiety of the gloomy days and nights they spent waiting and watching, while many a keen blast has mournfully whistled through the shrouds, and many a billow has threatened to engulf their bark; but how cheering is yonder light streaming forth amid the densest darkness. It speaks with trumpet-tongue to the bewildered navigator, and says, "This is the course, steer ye by it." How refreshing the sight. How assuring those bright beams that quiver over the perilous sea. Clouds and wind must not affright, for the gladsome welcome light of example interposes between us and disappointment and despair. "Ye are the light of the world," said Jesus. It is by beholding the lights that once shone on earth, that are now shining as the stars for ever and ever in heaven, that we, seeing their good works do glorify our Father in Heaven.
How many, alas! are utterly unconscious of the power of a godly example; it is only prayerful reflection upon it that rivets the connecting link between earth and heaven. Endearing attachments are formed and gradually, eternally perpetuated, strengthened by constant companionship. It is then we become truer-hearted, more gentle, more generous, and more affectionate. Exquisitely rounded Christian character is only thus obtained. Our hearts, and glad, willing service ought to be laid on the same altar as our humble offering, in proof of the profit and pleasure that we have experienced in reviewing the career of those great examples worthy of study and imitation. This is the only explanation we can give for penning this memorial. Our hearts were deeply stirred by the words uttered with the dying breath of Mrs. Knowles, when she said to me, "Preach the Gospel Uncolored;" I want to recognize their importance as synonymous with Paul's exhortation to Timothy, "Preach the Word." Yes, dear reader, this is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and it is quick and powerful. We must wield it earnestly and bravely in the great conflict of life, constantly reiterating the Bible woman's dying words:
"MY DAY IS SHORT, I MUST FINISH MY WORK!"
In perusing these memoirs, we ask, Who can read the foregoing correspondence and record of God's goodness to His saints, and through them to perishing souls, promiscuously scattered among all classes, and creeds, and colors, Jews and Gentiles alike, without feelings of unfeigned gratitude to God for raising up two such worthy persons to adorn "the doctrine of God, our Saviour?"
Our earnest prayer is, that the Holy Spirit will not allow to pass unobserved such lives of usefulness and self-sacrifice, without awakening a deeper interest in the lapsed masses of the lower part of this city.
We sincerely trust, also, that the publication and perusal of this humble effort to glorify God by perpetuating the memory of the loved ones so fondly cherished shall not be all in vain, and fall on the heart as a dead letter, "like the wind that passes over the rock, leaving it harder than before." Mr. D. L. Moody once said, "I never saw a man who was aiming to do the best work, but there could be some improvement; I never did anything in my life that I didn't think I could have done better, and I have often upbraided myself that I had not done better. But to sit down and find fault with other people when we are doing nothing ourselves is all wrong, and is the opposite of holy, patient, divine love." May we rather be of that number concerning whom it is said, "Blessed are those servants, who, when their Lord shall come, He will find watching."
The sunset of life will come sooner or later, "Let us, then, give earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Especially let us consider the importance of Mrs. Knowles's final farewell exhortation: "Be kind, gentle, and patient. Be faithful, humble, meek, and constantly keep at the Master's feet until He calls you up higher." If we take heed to these dying words, we will be able easily to appropriate as our own the sweet solacing words in the Song of Songs, "I sat under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet unto my taste. He brought me into His banqueting house, and His banner over me was love."
In bidding our readers adieu, I would, in conclusion, urge that they seriously reflect upon the significance of the Bible woman's last triumphant utterances: "Once I was young, now I am old, and have never been forsaken."
Who to their reward will say them nay,In Heaven or on Earth:Brave Pilgrims of Israel, pass'd away—We till now ne'er knew your worth!Go! write out their lives on leaves of gold,With characters of love,Let the future know, when we are cold,Of our loved ones gone above.
Who to their reward will say them nay,In Heaven or on Earth:Brave Pilgrims of Israel, pass'd away—We till now ne'er knew your worth!Go! write out their lives on leaves of gold,With characters of love,Let the future know, when we are cold,Of our loved ones gone above.
Who to their reward will say them nay,
In Heaven or on Earth:
Brave Pilgrims of Israel, pass'd away—
We till now ne'er knew your worth!
Go! write out their lives on leaves of gold,
With characters of love,
Let the future know, when we are cold,
Of our loved ones gone above.