As the moon shines pure and clear in a muddy pool, so Christ shone here in this muddy, filthy world, without the serene lustre of His purity being ever dimmed or soiled. And so we may shine in our poor human way now, but perfectly later on.
It was my privilege lately in crossing the Atlantic, to witness one of those glorious sunsets, which once seen can never be forgotten. Of course the sun sets every evening upon the sea, as upon the land; but several different circumstances must be happily combined to produce the effect I witnessed. It was a Sabbath evening,—a fitting time for such a scene. The day had been calm and bright, the glassy surface of the sea being broken only by the gentlest of ripples. And now the sun had just gone down. The clouds, from the western horizon almost to the zenith, were piled up like very hills of glory, flashing with crimson and amber and purple and gold. The glowing colors of the clouds were Deflected on the sea, with a new and wonderful effect. The gentle ripples of the sea broke up and blended these colors in a manner all its own. What seemed solid in the sky became changeful on the sea. The crimson and amber and purple and gold broke and mingled and glanced and gleamed on the molten sea, until we had before our eyes that very "sea of glass mingled with fire" which John saw in Apocalyptic vision. Oh, surely, God has flashed these beauties on the earth and sky and sea to keep us in mind of the surpassing glories of the beautiful better land.
In the spiritual world, as in the natural, God has made greater lights and lesser lights. Some have more light and some have less. The main thing is, to use well such light as we have. A traveller is making his way home. He is very glad to have daylight, that he may see his way clearly. But when he cannot have daylight, he is thankful for moonlight: and if he has not moonlight he will fain use starlight; and if he has not starlight he will be glad to have even a lamp or taper. The traveller wants to get home, and if so be that he gets home even by a taper light, it is well. And so, I believe that there are millions of heathens who are led home by tapers. Many of ourselves, we hope, God will light home by dim lights. The way seems dark enough, and in the darkness we may stumble and fall; but if we use well the light we have, we shall find our way.
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Here is a drop of dew. It is suspended from a leaf. It glints, and gleams, and glows, in the clear morning light. As you look into it, if you are in a contemplative mood, the drop of dew expands into a world; and what a world of beauty! It seems a very paradise, where the redeemer of the Lord might walk; where angels might soar and sing.
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Some time ago an organist died in the assured hope that he would be the leader of a heavenly choir. It does not seem far fetched to believe that his ambition is gratified. At this very hour he may be a director of those harpers that are harping upon their harps.
Here is a sketch which we may term "Imprisoned." It was suggested to me by a lark flying into the room, and dashing itself against the windows in its efforts to escape:
Oh! birdie from the blue,This is no home for you!In spacious fields of air,Beneath a boundless sky,Without a fear or care,You sang, and soared so high;I wonder much what brought you hereTo this dark room's contracted sphere.
Oh, birdie dear, beware!Poor fluttering thing, take care!I fear you'll hurt your pretty wingsAgainst these hard, material things.Would you were free to rise,And seek your native skies,And from those heights no more to roam,Or seek a lower, earthly home.And see! I ope your prison door!Escape, and sing, and heavenward soar!
Oh! spirit from the blue,This is no home for you.In fleshly walls confinedFrets the aspiring mind;Imprisoned here in human clay,We pine and long to soar away.The soul would burst these prison bars,And find its home beyond the stars.
Oh! heaven born soul, beware!Poor fluttering thing, take care!Oh do not hurt your spirit wingsAgainst earth's hard material things;A hand some day will ope your prison door!Oh, glad escape, to sing, and heavenward soar!
These are a few of the many suggestions with which nature abounds, pointing our faith beyond the bourne of time to the eternal glory beyond. But we have no corresponding hints of endless wrath. To be sure, there are suggestions of divine anger, but not that God will be angry forever. Like the sun breaking out from behind a dark cloud,—
"Behind a frowning ProvidenceHe hides a smiling face."
Oh yes! We believe that sin and suffering will finally be done away. All the ransomed of the Lord will yet come to Zion with song!
I have thrown in these few illustrations by way of conclusion, thinking they may be a pleasant offset to mere argument.
Everlasting Love—Resources of Infinite Wisdom and Power—Redemptionof the Whole Race—Forecast of the Final Day—The Conquest of Love—Christ Is Satisfied—He Is Singing with Joy—Ancient ProphecyFulfilled—Adoration of the Heavenly Hosts—The Saviour Crowned.
The main subject on which there is a division of opinion in the evangelical churches pertains to the ultimate destiny of the wicked. There are three main points of view. There is the theory of Extinction; there is the theory of Restoration; and there is the theory of Everlasting Torment. Of late years there has been a great change as to which is the correct view. For a long time eternal Torment was held to be the orthodox doctrine. Men tried to believe it: it was the doctrine of the church; and thoughtful men did not like to break with orthodoxy. I can fancy that in cases where it was suspected to be untrue, men recoiled from its examination, and satisfied themselves that it is a mystery beyond human investigation. If a man's feeling stood in the way of his conviction, feeling was repudiated as a dangerous thing in the study of doctrine. So men went on for a long time, even the most devout and kind-hearted, coolly consigning millions and millions of their fellowmen to everlasting fire.
At length a better day dawned. Feeling was discerned not to be so dreadfully dangerous as was supposed. It began to be realized that the heart sees as well as the head, and often much truer and quicker. The fact is that feeling on the part of a man at his best, is no small factor in distinguishing between right and wrong, and between truth and error.
And if in our best moods we have any hesitation in consigning millions of men to eternal torment, the thought will suggest itself—-Has not God more reluctance? Then when we think of Him being everlasting love; and moreover, when we think of Him as possessing the resources of infinite wisdom and power, we begin to see that there must be some other alternative.
Extinction would be one alternative. But would not extinction be a frustration of the divine intention, and unworthy of God? Would it not have been better and wiser never to create those millions of men than to extinguish them? That is not like an outcome of the divine Mind, that sees the end from the beginning.
What remains, then, but Restoration? That seems for more consistent with divine power and divine love? But what about divine justice? Will not justice require a penalty, and an infinite one? Well; surely a penalty has been paid, and a penalty of infinite value. So we can see no difficulty on that ground.
But what about man's free will? Will he not persist in sin? Has he not been made a free agent? So if any reformation is forced upon him, would it be a real reformation? Besides, if he were reformed only externally, would he be fitted for a better world?
Well, though he is a free agent, we believe that divine love and power could turn him, without in the least destroying his freedom. We instanced the case of Saul. In a moment he was overpowered by divine love; the whole man was changed; yet he lost not a particle of his free will. So it is easy to believe that divine power and grace may be brought to bear on the very worst of mankind, with the result that while losing none of their free will, but using it to the full, they are recovered and redeemed. And it is easier to believe this when we realize that suffering will be a factor in the process of reformation. These, and many such considerations have been referred to with all candor. As we survey them we are forced to exclaim, "O, the depths of the riches, both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God."
One practical word, my dear friend, in conclusion. It may be that this maze of argument only bewilders you. If so, then brush all argument aside, and take the plain Word of God. Take these words in Isaiah: "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Surely, you can believe such a plain statement as that. And yet, even that statement may be too general for your case. Then take the words of Paul: "He loved me, and gave Himself for me." Ah; that is closer. Does not that bring the matter home to yourself? And surely, it is a very personal matter. Be sure of this, that what Paul said of himself is just as true ofyou. The Saviour lovedyou, and gave Himself foryou. Believe that in your inmost soul, and it will transform your whole character and life. Think of Christ loving you personally, and giving Himself for you personally. Yes; for He was divine, and so in the infinite sweep of His thought He could fix His love on you individually, as though not another soul needed to be redeemed. If you dwell on that thought you will be filled with adoring wonder, and love, and praise.
We forecast such a salvation for the whole race, Christ will be satisfied yet: Oh, He will be satisfied! Let us anticipate the glorious day Love has conquered! The worst of mankind has been won. The last prodigal has come home. Christ is satisfied at last! Ah, He is more than satisfied! Listen! He is singing! Surely the great multitude that no man can number will hush their hallelujahs to hear Him singing! Yes, He is actually singing with joy over the recovery of lost souls. It was written of Him long ago, and the words are now fulfilled: "He will joy over thee with singing." Oh, won't we crown Him then! Won't we