"He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:And on their hands they shall bear thee up,Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
"He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:And on their hands they shall bear thee up,Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
"He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:
And on their hands they shall bear thee up,
Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
"Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."—Matt. iv. 68.
To such weary ones we would say, remember the words of the blessed Jesus: "Let not your hearts be troubled," etc., for
I have read of a land whose inhabitants say"I am sick, I am weary," no more,And I pine, 'mid the burdens and heat of the day,For a glimpse of that life-giving shore.Eye hath not seen it, and ear hath not heard,Yet all my spirit with longing is stirred;Oh, glory exceeding my heart's utmost pleading!Eternal, eternal the weight of thy bliss!
I have read of a land whose inhabitants say"I am sick, I am weary," no more,And I pine, 'mid the burdens and heat of the day,For a glimpse of that life-giving shore.
I have read of a land whose inhabitants say
"I am sick, I am weary," no more,
And I pine, 'mid the burdens and heat of the day,
For a glimpse of that life-giving shore.
Eye hath not seen it, and ear hath not heard,Yet all my spirit with longing is stirred;Oh, glory exceeding my heart's utmost pleading!Eternal, eternal the weight of thy bliss!
Eye hath not seen it, and ear hath not heard,
Yet all my spirit with longing is stirred;
Oh, glory exceeding my heart's utmost pleading!
Eternal, eternal the weight of thy bliss!
On Resisting Temptation.—Thomas A. Kempis says: So long as we live in this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation.
Hence it is written in Job, "The life of man upon earth is a life of temptation."
Every one therefore ought to be careful about his temptations, and to watch in prayer, lest the devil find an advantage to deceive him; for he never sleepeth, but goeth about, seeking whom he may devour.
No man is so perfect and holy, but he hath sometimes temptations, and we cannot be altogether without them.
Nevertheless temptations are often very profitable to us, though they be troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed.
All the Saints passed through man's tribulations and temptations, and profited thereby.
And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobate, and fell away.
There is no order so holy, nor place so secret, as that there be not temptations, or adversities in it.
There is no man that is altogether free from temptations whilst he liveth on earth: for the root thereof is in ourselves, who are born with inclination to evil.
When one temptation or tribulation goeth away, another cometh; and we shall ever have something to suffer, because we are fallen from the state of our felicity.
Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more grievously into them.
By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies.
He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little; yea, temptations will the sooner return unto him, and will be more violent than before.
By little and little, and by the very beginning, unlearn evil habits, lest perhaps by little and little they draw thee to greater difficulty.
Oh! if thou didst but consider how much inward peace unto thyself, and joy unto others, thou wouldst procure by demeaning thyself well, I think that thou wouldst be more careful of thy spiritual progress.
Of the Profit of Adversity.—It is good that we have sometimes some troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he is here in banishment, and ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing.
It is good that we be sometimes contradicted, and that men think ill or inadequately; and this, although we do and intend well.
These things help often to the attaining of humility, and defend us from vain glory: for then we are more inclined to seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we be contemned by men, and when there is no credit given unto us.
And therefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he needs not to seek many comforts of men.
When a good man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts, then he understandeth better the great need he hath of God, without whom he perceiveth he can do nothing that is good.
Then also he sorroweth, lamenteth, and prayeth, by reason of the miseries he suffereth.
Then he is weary of living longer, and wisheth that death would come, that he might depart and be with Christ.
Then also he well perceiveth, that perfect security and full peace cannot be had in this world.
Before I left, I prayed with her.—This brings before us another very touching scene in the life of St. Paul. His final farewell to the elders of Ephesus. When he had spoken unto them he kneeled down and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more, and they accompanied him unto the ship. If this course was persistently pursued by all Christian workers how manifold would be the blessings conferred on our labors. It would be found that many a poor sin-burdened heart would be instantly relieved of its load of care. For "if we ask, we shall receive."
We are called upon, not to go forth in our own name, or in our own strength, but in the name of Him who said, "Lo! I am with you alway, even to the end of the world;" and when one reflects on the many sad scenes and circumstances with which she was constantly surrounded, we ought to thank God that in every age of the Christian Church, he has raised up men and women who were willing to go with the name of Jesus to the distressed and dying, and to speak that name in all its living power.
A Mother and Daughter given a Bible and its Result.
Of this incident she writes: "A woman and her daughter, whom I have been visiting for some time, and to whom I have given a Bible, have become greatly changed, and attended our place of worship last Sabbath. They gave evidence of having been very deeply impressed. The mother said, with the Lord helping her, she will live no longer as she has done. This woman has been greatly tried. On the day of the great storm, her husband left Washington, where he had been employed some time, and has never since been heard of. He was her only means of support, as the rest of the family were out of employment. Her daughter is a very interesting young woman, and would like a situation as seamstress and nurse. I would have no fear in recommending her to any one who might need her services."
Notice, 1. That love and reverence for God's Word inspires one with a desire to distribute the Sacred Scriptures. There are various reasons for this. In the first place, because of the moral influence the revealed will of God has had on the world. When we think of the benign and salutary influence of the Bible by its circulation throughout the length and breadth of the land, nay, all lands, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the American Bible Society, we have great reason to rejoice at the marvellous success that has attended their labors. Surely it is indited by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It has been transmitted to us, from generation to generation, unaltered and uninjured; the simple yet sublime boon—God's loving letters to mankind.
"What glory gilds the sacred page!Majestic like the sun!It gives a light to every age;It gives but borrows none.""The power that gave it still suppliesThe gracious light and heat;Its truth upon the nations rise;They rise but never set!"
"What glory gilds the sacred page!Majestic like the sun!It gives a light to every age;It gives but borrows none."
"What glory gilds the sacred page!
Majestic like the sun!
It gives a light to every age;
It gives but borrows none."
"The power that gave it still suppliesThe gracious light and heat;Its truth upon the nations rise;They rise but never set!"
"The power that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
Its truth upon the nations rise;
They rise but never set!"
In the beginning was the Word.Christ is the Word.It giveth light. Read His power in the Gospel. Notice the connection between natural light and spiritual faith in Christ.
"And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Christ. And behold two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace; but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I should do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. And Jesus being moved with compassion touched their eyes, and straightway they received their sight and followed him."
2. The infinite superiority of the Divine Word to that of all earthly traditions, and the best literary productions is best judged by results. The works of Plato, Lycurgus, Demosthenes, Homer, Virgil, Dante, Milton, Scott, Burns, Bryant, and Longfellow are not for one moment to be compared to the Bible. When Scott, the great writer, was departing life, he turned to his son-in-law, Lockhart, and said:
"Bring me the Book."
"What book?" asked Lockhart.
"There is but one Book—the Bible!" was the reply. What spiritual and spontaneous enthusiasm in Divine things are stirred within us when we read the sacred pages.
Now turn to the picture painted by her who is now with the redeemed on high; she says:
"After receiving the Bible they were greatly changed, and attended our place of worship on the Sabbath.They gave evidence of being now deeply impressed." What impressed them? Two things worthy of notice: 1. The Word. 2. The Worship. Now, there are some people who imagine that they can go to heaven if they stay at home and read the Bible. This is all very well in its place, but we must not forget the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. Some try to live a Christian life outside of the Church. This is a sad mistake.
CHAPTER XVI.
STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS.
Oh! land of the blessed, thy shadowless skiesSometimes in my dreaming I see:I hear the glad songs that the glorified singSteal over eternity's sea.Though dark are the shadows that gather between,I know that thy morning is fair;I catch but a glimpse of thy glory and light,And whisper. Would God I were there!O Saviour, prepare my spirit to shareForever with thee those mansions fair.
Oh! land of the blessed, thy shadowless skiesSometimes in my dreaming I see:I hear the glad songs that the glorified singSteal over eternity's sea.
Oh! land of the blessed, thy shadowless skies
Sometimes in my dreaming I see:
I hear the glad songs that the glorified sing
Steal over eternity's sea.
Though dark are the shadows that gather between,I know that thy morning is fair;I catch but a glimpse of thy glory and light,And whisper. Would God I were there!
Though dark are the shadows that gather between,
I know that thy morning is fair;
I catch but a glimpse of thy glory and light,
And whisper. Would God I were there!
O Saviour, prepare my spirit to shareForever with thee those mansions fair.
O Saviour, prepare my spirit to share
Forever with thee those mansions fair.
There is never a day so dreary but God by his Holy spirit can illumine the darkness by revealing to the Christian the home beyond the flood. "He giveth to his beloved songs in the night." There is no pathway in life so intricate but what if we ask divine guidance He will give it. There are crosses in this brief life, that must be carried patiently and joyfully until the end of the journey. Oh! how comforting is the thought that in all our afflictions Christ was afflicted, and the angel of His presence strengthened Him. Those hands that were nailed to the Cross on Calvary, are constantly stretched out to assist the way-worn traveller up the rugged road of life. There never was a human heart so crushed and broken by the sorrows of earth but what Christ can heal, for that heart that was broken on Golgotha pants and heaves toward earth's sufferers. How beautifully expressive is the paraphrase:
"Though now ascended up on high,He bends on earth a brother's eye."
"Though now ascended up on high,He bends on earth a brother's eye."
"Though now ascended up on high,
He bends on earth a brother's eye."
The tender watch care of the God of Israel is the same to-day as it was when Ruth, the Moabitess, said unto Naomi: "Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace." And she said unto her: Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz.... And, behold! Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers: "The Lord be with you." (Ruth ii. 2-4.) In this whole narrative we behold the law of loving kindness of Jehovah strikingly exemplified through His own covenanted people. He reveals, in a marvellous manner, His grace and goodness to thousands of them that love Him and keep His commandments. Hence, the virtue of every benevolent transaction lies in the motive by which we are actuated. As Paul says: "The love of Christ constrains us." Whatever we give, whatever God's children do for the alleviation of the sorrows and sufferings of earth, they do it with an eye single to His glory, they continually hear Christ's voice saying unto them: "This do in remembrance of me."
We see these principles practically illustrated in the wonderful experience of her whose struggles and triumphs for the blessed Christ we are now prayerfully considering. For example, in February, 1874, she writes:
"Through the kindness of those interested in the poor, I have been enabled to supply the wants of many. One kind lady, belonging to the Bible Society, gave me ten dollars, part to assist one family with fuel and groceries, and the rest for another, where the husband had been ill for a long time, and finding it difficult to obtain employment, had been suffering for the common necessaries of life. I also received orders from this lady for coal and groceries, for other poor families, to be obtained through the visitors of the poor.
"In one home where I placed some provisions on the table, a little boy said to his mother, 'Mamma, mustn't you get down and pray, and thank God for these things?' When I enter some of these homes they are full of sadness and gloom, but I am often thankful to feel I leave hope and cheerfulness behind me, when I go away. In the greater number of these families it is want of employment that causes the trouble—they are willing and anxious to work, but it cannot be procured.
"One family, consisting of a husband, wife, and three children, the youngest ten days old, was found very destitute. They had parted with even every article of clothing, except what they had on, and had neither fuel nor food. The poor woman wept as she said, 'She had never before known such destitution.' I gave them some relief, and then engaged in prayer with them. They were both much affected, and said it was the first time a prayer had ever been offered in that house by any one. I sent them some coal, and procured other relief for them, and now they are comfortable, the man having obtained some work.
"Another family, in which there are two children (the father dying of consumption—the mother very delicate), are wholly dependent on charity. The woman is very industrious, and always ready to do what she can, but it is hard to procure employment. I have read and talked with the man, after supplying their temporal wants, and especially impressed upon him the promise, 'Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name it shall be given to you.' He listened—had been thinking of his past life—but he said all seemed dark to him. I have prayed with him, and he thought light broke in upon him. He said, 'He saw more clearly,' and after some days professed to be happy. And now, while the tears rolled down his cheeks, he says, 'I am willing to go and (looking around on the little circle) resign all these into the arms of Jesus.' I prayed with him before I left.
"A friend asked me to go and see a poor sick woman in the same destitute circumstances, the husband being out of work. A sad sight met my eyes; the poor woman lay coughing on the bed, as if she could not last much longer, the children standing by the bed, dirty and uncared for; the floor black, window curtain hanging in rags, while the mother could do nothing. They receive one dollar a week from the Poor Association. I assisted her, and promised to look to the children; talked with her and then read and prayed. She clasped my hand as I arose from my knees and said, 'You are the first person who ever prayed with me; oh! it makes me happy, and I hope God will hear your prayers.' Trial seems to open the hearts of these poor ones to religious impressions.
"A few days since, visiting a little girl (belonging to a Catholic family) who is in our Sewing-school, the mother put her hand in her pocket and took out some change, saying, 'This is all the money I have at present, take it and use it for the poor; I wish it was a great deal more, and,' she added, 'when you find any one hungry and wanting a loaf of bread, come to me, and I will give you some money; my little girl often tells me what you say to her in the Sewing-school, or when you meet her in the street.' Thus I receive encouragement on every side, and am never in want of some aid for those who need it so much. My dear friend, who was removed from me by death last summer, often used to say, 'Never fear, Mrs. Knowles, when the Lord takes away one support, he raises another.' And so I have found it. My Superintendent is always ready to assist, and our Sewing-school, aided by her and other ladies, is very prosperous. Perhapswantmay drive many to us, but we trust they will be also benefited by the instruction there received, and carry the lessons home.
"One poor woman gave me a dollar for a Bible I left with her some months since. 'For,' she says, 'the Lord has blessed her since she has begun to read it.' Another poor woman paid 25 cents for one, for 'she wanted it in the house for the good of the children.' And two others were also sold.
"A number of children have been brought to Sabbath-school, and several induced to attend church. In beginning a New Year, I trust increased devotion to the work will bring on added blessing."
How tenderly and lovingly she notes the kind lady who gave her the ten dollars for the sick family whose prop and stay was out of employment.
Those who are familiar with the sad sights of want and woe in all our large cities, will be able to appreciate the naturalness of the foregoing description of missionary work among the poor and lowly.
Shakespeare's account of a complete lady lacks one essential qualification,benevolence. He says:
"If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch?If zealous love should go in search of virtue,Where should he find it purer than in Blanch?If love ambitious sought a match of birth,Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch?"
"If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch?If zealous love should go in search of virtue,Where should he find it purer than in Blanch?If love ambitious sought a match of birth,Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch?"
"If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,
Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch?
If zealous love should go in search of virtue,
Where should he find it purer than in Blanch?
If love ambitious sought a match of birth,
Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch?"
What a magnificent portrait is here drawn of truly rounded, symmetrically developed Christian womanhood, and true ladyship is here pencilled in the diary of the departed. There are some women who win men toward them by their wonderful conversational powers. They can talk by the hour; but when you approach them on the question of finance, for the cause of Home or Foreign Missions, they are like the colored man who was a great talker and a lusty singer, but a very poor giver, and when the collection box was being passed around, he closed his eyes and kept on singing, "Roll, Gospel, roll;" when the deacon put the box under his nose, and said, "I say, Brother Sam, what are you gwine to give to make the Gospel roll around the world?" The distinction is very positively affirmed by Christ between those who will be at the last on his right hand, and those on his left, by the "inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me." I remember once during the same year in which the circumstances we are now commenting on transpired, of calling upon a friend, a broker in Wall Street of this city, and after some general conversation about Christian work, he called me into his rear office and said:
"How are you getting along financially?"
"Well," I said, "I am able to keep my head above water."
"Ah!" he replied, "I have been watching you in your work, and want to make you a present of fifty dollars for your immediate wants."
I looked upon him with astonishment and exclaimed:
"How is it, my friend, you can be so kind to me, as I am a comparative stranger to you?"
"Well," he said, "I believe you are doing the Lord's work, and I feel that all the money belongs unto Him, and I am only his steward."
What is the ultimate design of Christ knocking at the door of the heart? Is it not that we may be like Him? He gave himself for us. Can we then withhold our alms to the poor? He may take His departure, and we may receive in our hearts the spirit of avariciousness and selfishness. I am sure if any of the ladies connected with the New York Bible Society will read the simple story of God's dealings with this missionary woman, their hearts will swell with great gratitude and gladness, to think that God enabled them to contribute of their substance to the poor and needy, through this humble worker in the master's vineyard. Let us ever remember that we are under peculiar obligations to God forallwe have and all we so richly enjoy. Our true condition is one of absolute subserviency and absolute dependence. We are not our own, we are bought with a price, even the peace-speaking blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hand must clothe the humble poor,Our store the hungry feed.Our homes the stranger must receiveAnd shelter in his need;Each others burdens we must bear,Each others faults forgive,And thus in perfect peace with all,And perfect union, live.
Our hand must clothe the humble poor,Our store the hungry feed.Our homes the stranger must receiveAnd shelter in his need;Each others burdens we must bear,Each others faults forgive,And thus in perfect peace with all,And perfect union, live.
Our hand must clothe the humble poor,
Our store the hungry feed.
Our homes the stranger must receive
And shelter in his need;
Each others burdens we must bear,
Each others faults forgive,
And thus in perfect peace with all,
And perfect union, live.
What an astonishing amount of pathos is manifested in the joyous outbursts of gratitude and thankfulness in the heart of this boy when their wants were supplied, indicated by his child-like words: "Mamma, mustn't you get down and pray, and thank God for all these things?" Absorbed in serious reflection, he instantly and spontaneously recognized God as "the giver of every good and perfect gift, the father of lights with whom there is no variableness, nor the least shadow of turning." Surely out of the mouths of babes and sucklings He hath perfected praise. It is remarkable how quickly children recognize heavenly things. Train up a child in the way it should go, and when it is old it will not depart from it. The early desire to pray deeply, implanted in the tender breast by the mother, can never be obliterated.
CHAPTER XVII.
LEADING SOULS TO CHRIST.
Hark! through Nature's vast cathedral,Blended echoes ever rise,Swelling in a mighty anthemTo its overarching skies.Every great and noble actionIs re-echoed o'er and o'er;Life itself is but an echoOf the lives that were before.
Hark! through Nature's vast cathedral,Blended echoes ever rise,Swelling in a mighty anthemTo its overarching skies.
Hark! through Nature's vast cathedral,
Blended echoes ever rise,
Swelling in a mighty anthem
To its overarching skies.
Every great and noble actionIs re-echoed o'er and o'er;Life itself is but an echoOf the lives that were before.
Every great and noble action
Is re-echoed o'er and o'er;
Life itself is but an echo
Of the lives that were before.
Our daily life ought to be an echo of the life of Christ. Just as God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing unto man his trespasses, so the great aim of the Christian ought to be to lead souls to Jesus. The Rev. Dr. W. M. Taylor, of the Broadway Tabernacle, tells the story of how, when Hector was going to his last battle, and his wife Andromache accompanied him as far as the gates of the city, they were followed by a nurse carrying in her arms their infant child. When he was about to depart, Hector held out his hands to receive the little one, but, terrified by the burnished helmet, and the waving plume, the child turned away and clung, crying, to his nurse's neck. In a moment, divining the cause of the infant's alarm, the warrior took off his helmet and laid it on the ground, and then, smiling through his tears, the little fellow leaped into his father's arms. Now, similarly, Jehovah of hosts, Jehovah with his helmet on, would frighten us weak guilty ones away; but in the person of the Lord Jesus He has laid that helmet off, and now the guiltiest and the neediest are encouraged to go to His fatherly embrace and avail themselves of His support.
Under date of February, 1875, Mrs. Knowles writes that she has been successful, during the past two months, in bringing many persons to attend church, and a number of children to the Sabbath-schools; and she adds:
"I am much encouraged by the attention paid to the reading of the Scriptures. I have also made many hearts glad by supplying their families with food and clothing, and at some places where I have not given anything, and have referred to it, I have been answered with:
"'You have done a great deal for us by teaching us to trust in the Lord.'"
Thought ought to operate between two limits—the one of time, the other of eternity.
The Sabbath-school and the Church are inseparably linked with earth and heaven. "Train up a child in the way it should go, and when it is old it will not depart from it." The first book put into my hand when a boy, in the public school of my native land, was the Bible. And the first book I had to study in the Sabbath-school was the Shorter Catechism. These two books have exerted a benign and salutary influence on my whole life. Now, what the study of mathematics is to the intellect by disciplining and imparting the power to reason consecutively, thus tranquillizing the judgment by furnishing demonstrative knowledge, even so the sermons heard in the House of God, and the lessons taught in the Sabbath-school, and all the outward spiritual truth conveyed to the heart of the hearer, quickens the soul into newness of life; hence the injunction of the Apostle:
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)
"And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works:
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
"But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses."
Her chief delight was to lead men, women, and children to the house of God. It does not seem strange, therefore, when we find the foregoing emphatic declaration in her diary: "I am much encouraged by the attention paid to the reading of the Scriptures." This is the glorious result of getting people first to attend to the means of grace in the sanctuary on the Lord's day. How greatly cheered she must have been in her work to hear the welcome words: "You have done a great deal for us, by teaching us totrust in God."
What is God's estimate of those who trust in Him? Here the mind is forever set at rest. He proffers innumerable blessings to those whoconfidein Him, and we will, right now and here, give our attention to a few of the many precious promises by which God richly entertains his children:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee; trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."—Isa. xxvi. 3-4.
"He that putteth his trust in me, shall possess the land, and inherit my holy mountain."—Isa. lvii. 13.
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."—Jer. xvii. 7-8.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE DYING MOTHER AND THE INTEMPERATE HUSBAND.
I know there are realms where the voices of songNever cease 'neath a burden of tears.And I seek, 'mid earth-discord, the sound of a strain,Falling sweet from those radiant spheres.
I know there are realms where the voices of songNever cease 'neath a burden of tears.And I seek, 'mid earth-discord, the sound of a strain,Falling sweet from those radiant spheres.
I know there are realms where the voices of song
Never cease 'neath a burden of tears.
And I seek, 'mid earth-discord, the sound of a strain,
Falling sweet from those radiant spheres.
We scarcely ever knew of a moretouchingaccount of a dying mother, than the following graphic narrative:
"One poor woman whom I mentioned before has just died. Surrounded as she was by Romanists, she stood firm in the belief in which she had been instructed by her father in her youth. Some time since I took her little girl to Sabbath-school, and a short time ago her teacher found her earnestly seeking Christ. She has since given good evidence of being a Christian, and has united with the church. I was the only friend visiting the mother during her last illness, whom she desired to come to read and pray with her. She mourned over much of her past life, but had much to contend with from those around her. A few days before she died she said, 'she would be better soon.' I asked her what she meant. She answered, 'When I go to be with Jesus;' but she added, 'Who will see to my little girl?' I told her I would. Once again I saw her; she was composed and at peace, saying, 'She would soon be at home.'"
See how she pictures the intense solicitude of the mother after her child, in the loving and sweet inquiry (so faithfully remembered and carefully recorded), "Who will see to my little girl?" See her quiet and Christ-like spontaneous response, that she would. Here we are forcibly reminded of a scene in New Testament times. In the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles we read:
"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which, by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
"And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
"And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
"Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them."
The last part of her diary is extremely touching. But this sorrowful sight presented to our view is only one of the many that frequently occur in a city like New York. They harrow the refined feelings of the faithful missionary. If such scenes are so distressing, what must have been the experience of Him who was made sin for us, and who daily mingled with sinners. He who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Let her tell her own story.
"A few days since I visited a woman whose husband had beaten her till she was almost helpless. She told me about his coming to her with a knife, and expected he would have taken her life. She asked me to engage in prayer with her. He sat by, apparently unmoved. When I was leaving, he asked me to forgive him. I told him it was not me he must ask; he must go to God for forgiveness. It was distressing to see the poor wife, as she asked me what she must do, as she had no friend on earth but me. I then spoke to the husband; he said he was very sorry he had acted so badly, and woulddrink no more. I intend getting him to sign the pledge, which he says he will do.
"The evils of intemperance meet us in so many ways, we often feel discouraged, and yet at times a case occurs which bids uswork onand hope on. The man mentioned above from that time continued to refrain from drink, and has treated his wife well ever since. She wept with gratitude as she told me, a few evenings since, that he came in and handed her all his money as he had received it for work, never having opened it. She could never forget the day when I came in and found almost everything in the room broken to pieces, and his promise which he faithfully made to me that he wouldtry and do right."
Eternity alone will reveal to our astonished gaze the number of forlorn and sad hearts that were made to rejoice in the pardoning mercy of God through her weak instrumentality.
How comforting is the thought that His word shall not return unto Him void, but it will accomplish that which He please, and prosper in the thing wherein he hath sent it. "It either proves the saviour of life unto life, or of death unto death." If we harden our hearts in the day of affliction we grieve the Holy Spirit away from us. But sickness and penury properly received soften the heart and lead to repentance and transformation of life. Here is a practical illustration of this truth:
"Another family I found, with two children lying ill with diphtheria. They were living in a basement room, and were very poor. The father had been out of work for some time, and the mother's sewing had supported the family, but now her time was taken up with attending to the sick children. I provided some nourishment, and the next time I called, the mother was lying ill with typhoid fever. A poor woman was taking care of them, risking her own life and that of her own children, and another poor neighbor had taken home the third child to preserve it from infection. They had but little covering, and I procured what was needed from the Home of the Friendless, and a dear friend gave me a bundle of clothing for them. They have since recovered, and having a friend who owned a tenement-house, I spoke to her about them, and they are now removed there, and are quite comfortable. Our kind ladies who assist us at the sewing-school having sent us some turkeys for distribution at Christmas I was able to furnish them with one; and better still, the husband has obtained employment. They say they never will forget the time when they had nothing, and now they haveeverything so comfortable. They seem to feel it came from God."
Yes, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, the Father of lights with whom there is no variableness nor the least shadow of turning. Without this perception and unless we return to God our grateful acknowledgments, we cannot truly enjoy His blessings from above. If God makes us the happy recipients of His favors it is our bounden duty to return to him our heartfelt gratitude. This was the feeling of the Psalmist when he said:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
"Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;
"Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."
CHAPTER XIX.
HELP AND LOVING KINDNESS.
Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to meThat I may speak with soothing powerA word in season, as from Thee,To weary ones in needful hour.
Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to meThat I may speak with soothing powerA word in season, as from Thee,To weary ones in needful hour.
Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour.
That Mrs. Matilda Knowles, ourbeau idealmissionary, possessed a thankful heart, we glean from her diary. She gives a deeply interesting account of the recognition, on her part, of the gentle and generous loving-kindnesses of those ladies who heartily co-operated with her in lifting the burden of sin, sorrow, and sadness from poor suffering humanity. She writes at the close of 1875, thus:
"Our sewing-school kept its usual festival, thanks to our kind ladies, Mrs. Harper,[3]with Mrs. Fiske, and their friends, who supplied us liberally, and made many very happy. I have also, through the generosity of friends, been able toaidand evensupplythe wants of many who are in need, and I trust, in beginning a New Year, I may be able to work even more earnestly than ever before."
This wealthy and inestimable lady (Mrs. F. Harper) has also recently entered into her rest and reward. We are glad to know, however, that her daughter has taken up all her mother's work, as the following communication will testify:
"Laurel House, Lakewood, N.J.,February 21, 1887."Rev. Duncan M. Young,"Dear Sir: I regret that I shall not be in New York for perhaps a couple of months, and therefore cannot see you in regard to the subject of Mrs. Knowles' work. She assisted my dear mother for many years in the Industrial School, and was greatly honored and beloved by all connected with her in that work."I do not think I can give you any information that you do not already know, in regard to Mrs. Knowles; but if I knew a little more as to what were your plans and desires in regard to getting out a book from her notes, I might consider what I could do. In any case, it can be only in a very slight degree that I am able to aid, as I have taken up Mrs. F. Harper's work in all directions, as well as my own. Any further communication addressed here will reach me."Very sincerely yours,"Mrs. D. H. Sibley."
"Laurel House, Lakewood, N.J.,February 21, 1887.
"Rev. Duncan M. Young,
"Dear Sir: I regret that I shall not be in New York for perhaps a couple of months, and therefore cannot see you in regard to the subject of Mrs. Knowles' work. She assisted my dear mother for many years in the Industrial School, and was greatly honored and beloved by all connected with her in that work.
"I do not think I can give you any information that you do not already know, in regard to Mrs. Knowles; but if I knew a little more as to what were your plans and desires in regard to getting out a book from her notes, I might consider what I could do. In any case, it can be only in a very slight degree that I am able to aid, as I have taken up Mrs. F. Harper's work in all directions, as well as my own. Any further communication addressed here will reach me.
"Very sincerely yours,
"Mrs. D. H. Sibley."
In our correspondence for the Master we are reminded of two things, first, the letter sent by the beloved disciple, John, in his second epistle:
"The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;"For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever:"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father."And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another."And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it."
"The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
"For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever:
"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
"I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
"And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it."
And second, her place of residence for her health is the scene of our former labors for the Lord. In the vicinity of Lakewood we held revival services, and preached every night to a crowded house for over two months. Among those who were led to Christ was a physician and his wife, three public school-teachers, and two brothers—young men—one of them is now a minister of the gospel, the other the editor of a Temperance paper in the city of Philadelphia. But we are rapidly travelling to eternity, and these will, we know, be among the fruits of our labor. Still, we have to watch for souls and the bringing in of a brighter and better day, when one need not say to the other, "Know ye the Lord?" for all shall know Him from the least even to the greatest. "When the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the channels of the great deep."
How beautiful and descriptive are the words of Mackay in his "Watcher on the Tower," that points to the time when, through the labors of His servants, truth shall be triumphant, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away:
It breaks, it comes, the misty shadows fly,A rosy radiance gleams upon the sky;The mountain-tops reflect it calm and clear;The plain is yet in shade, but day is near.
It breaks, it comes, the misty shadows fly,A rosy radiance gleams upon the sky;The mountain-tops reflect it calm and clear;The plain is yet in shade, but day is near.
It breaks, it comes, the misty shadows fly,
A rosy radiance gleams upon the sky;
The mountain-tops reflect it calm and clear;
The plain is yet in shade, but day is near.
3 (Return)Wife of Mr. Fletcher Harper, of Harper Brothers, publishers, Franklin Square, New York.
CHAPTER XX.
REACHING THE HEART.
Jesus, let me thus be waiting,Full of hope, and love, and zealLet Thy coming, to my spirit,Be a hope divine and real.
Jesus, let me thus be waiting,Full of hope, and love, and zealLet Thy coming, to my spirit,Be a hope divine and real.
Jesus, let me thus be waiting,
Full of hope, and love, and zeal
Let Thy coming, to my spirit,
Be a hope divine and real.
Dr. Hanna once said: "The heart is an interpreter. It is not in the intellect, it is in the conscience, in the heart, that the finest, most powerful organs of spiritual vision lie. There are seals that cover up many passages and pages of the Bible which no light or fire of genius can dissolve; there are hidden riches here that no labor of mere learned research can get at and spread forth. But those seals melt like the snow-wreath beneath the warm breathings of desire and prayer, and those riches drop spontaneously into the bosom of the humble and the contrite, the poor and the needy."
The great President Edwards, in his admirable work on the affections, declares that that religion which God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak and lifeless inclinations raised but a little above a state of indifference. God, in His word, insists upon it, that we should be in earnest, fervent in spirit, and having our hearts vigorously engaged in religion. "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him; and to serve the Lord thy God withall thy heartand with all thy soul." "And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." Deut. xxx. 6.
The primary object of the successful worker then is to reach the hearts of the parents through the children, constantly remembering the divinely inspired words, "that a little child shall lead them." Let the following extracts from her pen speak for themselves:
"During the last month I have made two hundred and five visits, and brought eight children to the Sunday-school. I often find if we can gain the affection of the children it opens a way to the parent's hearts. For example: On entering a room one day, I asked if they had a Bible. The father, a rough-looking man, said, 'We have no money to buy Bibles—we need all our money to get something to eat.' 'Oh,' said I, 'if you have not the means to buy one I will give you one for nothing.' 'If I get it for nothing, I will thank you for it.' I took him one the next day; he thanked me very politely, and said, 'I will read it.' I handed the little girl a tract, in which was a picture of a child kneeling in prayer. The father seemed pleased, and before leaving, I said to the child, 'Now, my dear, if you learn to do as that little girl does, God will love you.' She looked up and said, 'Yes, ma'am.' When I called a few days after, the father said, 'My little girl did not forget her promise to you. Every night and morning she kneels down and prays, and thinks we should all do the same. I have been reading in the Bible. It tells us a great many good things, and when I get some clothes I shall try and come to church.'"
We must form our opinion of aggressive work for Christ by the fruits that are produced. The pictorial tract put into the hands of the little girl, and her subsequent conduct, elicited the attention of that rough-looking father, and oh, what a blessed testimony to the power of divine grace in the parental statement, "Every night and morning she kneels down and prays, and thinks we should all do the same." It is evident that children feel the full force of the words of the apostle:
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living; way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
"In another place," she writes, "where I visit, the father keeps a dining saloon, and sells liquor. His daughter is in our Sunday-school, and he always appears glad when I call. 'You are the only one,' he says, 'who comes to do me good; I hope you will be blessed in your work; go up-stairs and see my daughter.She is a lady,' he added, 'although brought up in this way.' I generally read and pray with her, and as I left her the last time, she said, 'I hope I shall not always have to live in this way.' Her father was at the door as I came down-stairs; he met me, saying, 'May the Lord bless you. Come as often as you can; I would like to live a different life!' The daughter is pleasing, and mourns still for her mother, who died three years since."
"Christ said I came not to send peace on earth but a sword." Now the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. The key of knowledge of the depravity of the heart is furnished the liquor dealer in the above interview, by the concession, "I would like to live a different life." The saloon keepers generally attribute their remaining in the business to the necessity of it in order to obtain a livelihood. But there are other occupations in which they could be diligently employed in order to maintain their families. Imagine a frail, aged, weak woman, cheerfully bringing gospel light into these dark dens of iniquity. It has been wisely said that the organ of pluck and perseverance has been prominently developed in the weaker sex from time immemorial, as in the case of Joan of Arc, Jennie Mac Rae, and the noble band of Christian workers connected with the Women's Christian Temperance Union of this country. The power of womanly kindness is indescribable. Hence we must ever remember that God has chosen the poor and weak things of this world to confound the mighty.
But to return to the diary. Here we find her intensely interested in a poor blind girl, for she writes, in November of this year, the following:
"About three years since, a young girl, a Roman Catholic, who was then a pupil at the Institution for the Blind, was brought to my notice. She became deeply interested in the Bible, and afterward embraced the Protestant faith, and since that time has continued firm in her belief and practice. She remained at the Institution until the end of the term, which expired in June. It was now necessary for her to seek another home. She was taken to the house of a relative, who insisted on her going to confession. This she refused, and was on this account rendered homeless. It was a source of great anxiety to know how to provide for her. The girl was sincere, evidently willing, 'not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake.' Her case was stated to some ladies who felt an interest in her, and although they could not give her a home, they kindly assisted in paying her board; other friends to whom the case was made known did the same, and she is now learning a trade by which we hope she will soon earn enough for her own support. Her employer speaks well of her, and considers her very industrious.
"Another case is that of a family who took no interest in the subject of religion. They had a little daughter eight years of age, who loved to sing of Jesus, and would always sit still to listen to the reading of Scripture. One day she urged her mother to give her the baby, who was eighteen months old, asher own. The mother laughed, and said: 'You cannot take care of yourself; what will you do with him?' But she continued urging her request that the child might be given to her, until at last her mother said: 'Jimmy is yours.' 'Well,' said the child, 'if he is mine, I will take him wherever I go.' Soon after both children were taken sick, and both died, and were buried at the same time. This made a great impression on the minds of their parents; their hearts have been softened, and they now listen with attention to the words of truth, and we trust they may be led to follow the dear Saviour, who so loved their little ones, that He gathered them into his fold."
The death of loved ones frequently softens the heart. A few days ago, I buried a dear, sweet girl belonging to the Sabbath-school, only sixteen years of age. At the funeral service a man who had been formerly an infidel was completely broken down. Why? because his little boy was taken regularly to the school by this girl, and he inquired of his father, "Now that Fannie is dead, and has gone to be with Jesus, who will take me to the school?" The father responded, and said, "I will." Ever since the father takes him there, and now attends the services at the church.