Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

was not the first and the last. And although he bore the fruits of grace in his humble walk with God, in his temper and conduct, he was so sensible of his infirmities, that he lived upon the grace of Christ as his daily bread; so that I can have no doubt of his future happiness, and I ought to be resigned, though my bereavement is severe.

Mrs. Lee, well is it for us that God knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are but dust; and the best saint upon earth has too much of the dust of unbelief and pride attached to their minds and affections, which generally appear the most when in times of affliction. But the Lord knows how to remove the dust, or so to allay it, as to produce our real advantage. For as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him; and I hope you will speedily be brought to confess, He hath done all things well.

I must acknowledge, Mrs. Stevenson, that next to the loss of my husband's person, I mourn his absence at the morning and evening devotions of my family; for indeed he was a man of fervent prayer. Many of our friends who occasionally visited us on an evening, lately observed the spirituality of his petitions. One of them, not long since, on his going out, whispered to me," Mrs. "Lee, I perceive that spirituality in your husband's

devotions, which induces me to believe that the "Lord is ripening him for eternity; and perhaps he may soon take him to himself." However, I did

not then think so much of it, and I rather attributed it to the warm feelings of my friend, than to the cause which he suggested. Now he is taken from me, and I hear his voice no more!

And did not that happy frame of your husband's spirit, remind you, Mrs. Lee, of what Eliphas said to Job? Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. Job v. 26. You know that the husbandman does not reap his corn until it be fully ripe, and God has his ripening time for his saints, or they would not be fit to be gathered into his heavenly garner; and certainly this visible ripening of your husband for heaven, should have increased your joy! In his conversation, as well as in his prayer, you have often heard him express his hope of the joys of the blessed in heaven; and can you be in sadness, because he now enjoys the fruition of that hope in glory? He lived with you to a great age; you perceived his activity to decline; and he could not but express his feelings under the infirmities and pains he endured, though in patience he possessed his soul; and now his blessed Saviour has released him from the burden of the flesh, which rests in hope of the resurrection to a glorious immortality; and surely you will not grieve that God should grant him his prayer by such a happy deliverance? You know that he often lamented with tears, the secret evils of his heart, and the power of unbelief, which so often interrupted his sensible communion with his Saviour; frequently expressing his desire

to depart and to be with Christ, which was far better than to dwell in a tabernacle of clay, surrounded with evils; and now his spirit is received into the immediate presence of his Lord, beholding him in his glory, perfected in holiness, and singing salvation to God and the Lamb, can you indulge the tear of grief because of his happiness? Think of this Mrs. Lee, and you will readily compose your mind, and say, Father, not my will, but thine be done. Besides, you have not for ever lost your husband, he has only gone a little before you. Your age and infirmities indicate that the time is not far distant, when you will be called to follow him to that happy state, where parting shall be no more. Instead of mourning and weeping, let this call of God in his providence teach you the importance of being ready, whenever he shall send death to call you away. I wish you to remember, that your husband was not your God and Saviour; and however that good man was worthy of your affections, it is possible you may have made too much of him; and therefore he was first removed, that you might more spiritually seek your whole happiness alone in God. 1 will close my morning's visit to you, Mrs. Lee, by expressing my hope, that you will leave your husband in the bosom of his Saviour, and rejoice in his happiness. By faith and prayer look to your heavenly Husband, as the widow's God and portion, and he will be your guide and comforter unto death; and then, through the merits of your blessed Saviour, he will receive you also to the mansions of peace, where, with your departed

husband, you will join the spirits of the just made perfect, to sing his praises for ever and ever.

ON THE DEATH OF AN AGED CHRISTIAN.

When Jesus takes his followers home
His mercy claims our praise;
He saves them from the ills to come,
On man's rebellious race.

Why should we wish them longer here,
To struggle with the flesh;
Again to combat slavish fear,
To groan and die afresh ?

Now they enjoy a rich reward,
For all their toils below;
Now they behold that gracious Lord,
Who brought them safely through.

They see the Man for sinners slain,
A God he reigns above ;
They mingle with the heav'nly train,
And sing redeeming love!

Eternal honours to that grace

Which rais'd them to the skies,
And gave their souls a resting place,
In the new Paradise.

T. B. L.

JACOB PRESENTED TO PHARAOH.

Behold the august sire! bending beneath

The weight of years. From shepherds' lowly tent
He enters now into the presence of

The mighty king; grasping the arm of him,

His son whom long and much he mourn'd as lost.
He pours his blessings on the sov❜reign's head,
And then, with slow and solemn step, retires
Beneath the smiles of heaven, to rest in peace.

THE presentation of the venerable patriarch Jacob to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, by the hand of his son Joseph, must have been a very interesting scene. The short record which we have of that ceremony in the forty-seventh chapter of Genesis, has frequently claimed devout admiration; and as it cannot fail to afford a few lessons of instruction, especially to the aged, this paper shall be devoted to the subject.

The scene was at Memphis, the royal city of the kings of Egypt, and where Pharaoh held his court. No doubt but that the royal chamber in the palace was highly enriched with a combination of architecture, sculpture, tapestry, painting, and other pro

« VorigeDoorgaan »