IN the Cemetery, from the summit of which I had the extensive view of which I spoke last month, there is a tombstone inscribed with the name of a boy of the age of thirteen years, which, it is stated, was “erected by his schoolfellows, in affectionate remembrance of the good qualities and example of their beloved companion.” The Scriptures, “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him,” and “He, being dead, yet speaketh,” are also engraved on the stone. One would hope that this inscription, though of an unusual character, has its foundation in truth, and that the good qualities and example for which the youth is commended were the result of his having “received Christ Jesus the Lord,” and of his having walked as one who was “rooted and built up in Him.” Good as the truthful testimony of our fellow-creatures may be, it is more blessed to have such as Enoch had, who “walked with God,” and “had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Still, it is pleasant to read, as we do of the child Samuel, that he “grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men;” and it is far more precious to be told of the child Jesus, that “He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Another stone is inscribed to the memory of a beloved mother, and to her is applied the Scripture, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed.” It is, indeed, a privilege to have a mother who fears the Lord, and brings up her children in His peaceful and pleasant ways. May those who are thus privileged prize her highly, and give heed to her unwearied teachings and faithful guidance. And if she should be taken from this scene to that which is for herself far better, even to be “present with the Lord,” how sweet a savor does the recollection of herself and of her God-fearing ways bring to the hearts of those who loved her during her days of toil for her young ones, whom she thus sought to train up for the Lord. “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Prov. 1:88My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: (Proverbs 1:8)).
A little farther on; I came to a cornfield, in which the harvest men were busily occupied in reaping some of the precious grain which God has given for the food of man. The regular return of harvest is a blessed fulfillment of the word of the Lord to Noah, after the flood, when, having smelled the sweet savor of Noah’s burnt-offerings on the altar, the Lord said, among other things, “While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease.” The reaping of this field was a very pleasant sight, and I rested in order to take a view of it. The reapers were at work at the end of the field, at a distance from where I stood; but not far from me was a young woman—probably a daughter of one of the harvestmen—who, though not actually engaged in the reaping, was still very usefully and helpfully employed, for she was preparing food for the men who were reaping the corn. What a picture, I thought, is that young woman of a youthful Christian, helping to the extent of his or her ability in the work of the Lord! The young cannot be presumed to be sufficiently trained workers in His harvest-field, to bear “the burden and heat of the day,” as reapers; but they may be “fellow-helpers to the truth,” in the many useful and unobtrusive ways which they whose hearts are constrained by the love of Christ will not fail to discover as suited to their age and the ability which God has given to them. “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” is the proper expression of a soul in its true attitude before Him, as ready to do His will, and to serve with the service of love, however humble the sphere may be.
Being now on my return home, I varied the way by taking a path which led through fields and meadows, in one of which I found a torn tract, which I picked up and perused. From its appearance I supposed that it had been thrown away by someone who did not care to read it and yet it contained a clear and vivid statement of “the Gospel of Christ,” which is “the power of God unto salvation.” The title of the tract is “The Sinking Ship, and the Lifeboat.” It points out the impossibility of the sailors saving such a ship, though they work at the pumps with all their strength. Then comes alongside the lifeboat, and some of the sailors get into it immediately, while others remain in the leaky ship, and still try to save it, though it is rapidly filling with water. The sinking, leaky, ruined vessel, says the writer, is a picture of the state of a sinner, and all his labor and toil to save himself are in main. There is no escape but in the Lifeboat, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it is written, “There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)), What, then, will you do? Will you not enter the Lifeboat at once? Lose no time. Escape for your life. Give up all your fruitless doings, and trust in Him. He has made full satisfaction for sin upon the cross; so that whosoever trusteth in Him as his Saviour receives the remission of sins, is kept and sustained through this world, and at length will be safely landed in heavenly glory.
In the meadow adjoining that in which I found the tract was a very pleasing sight. It was that of about twenty or thirty lambs, with beautifully clean fleeces, reposing, during the heat of the day, beneath the shadow of some leafy trees, looking the very picture of contentment and repose. I thought of the passage in the Song of Solomon (ch. 2:3), “As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons. I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” This sight seemed to follow sweetly in order, after the forsaking of the sinking ship, and getting into the lifeboat. What the sinner first needs is salvation, and that he gets through faith in Christ. But, having obtained this salvation, he has also sustenance and satisfaction in the One who is his Saviour. As these lambs had their green pasture, so the believer has refreshing and nourishing food in the Word of God, and rest and repose in His love, as they had beneath the shady trees. Oh! it is blessed to see the sheep of Christ, the young especially, satisfied with Christ, and resting in Him. That He desires that they should be fed upon His Word, we know from what He said to Peter: “Feed my lambs,” and by what Peter himself says, by the Spirit of Christ, to the elders: “Feed the flock of God.” May all who know and love Him listen and yield to His gracious invitation, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11).
As I was approaching home, I overtook, in a retired lane, a decent-looking man, who I presumed was blind, by the manner in which he felt his way with his stick. I was about to pass him in silence, when I felt rebuked, and said to myself, “Why, here is a good opportunity to say a word in season to this poor man, and yet I was about to let it slip.” I then stepped back a few paces, and said to him, “So, my friend, I see that you are taking a walk this fine morning. Well, I hope it may do you good; and, if I am not mistaken, I think that you are blind.” His face brightened immediately, and he cheerfully replied, “Thank you, sir, I am out for a walk, and I am blind, but you would scarcely think so, would you, sir; from the look of my eyes? For,” continued he, “I am thankful to say that, though I have lost my sight, the appearance of my face is not unpleasant, in consequence of my affliction;” and he opened his sightless eyes upon me, which answered to the description he gave of them. Having thus commenced a conversation, I presently said to him, “I was lately reading of a blind boy who was brought into the presence of Bishop Hooper, a martyr of the reign of Queen Mary, to whom the bishop, after conversing with him, said, Ah! poor boy, God hath taken from thee thy outward sight, for what cause He best knoweth, but He hath endued thy soul with the eye of knowledge and faith.’ I trust, my friend, that this is the case with you.” We then had an interesting conversation for about a quarter of an hour, and I left him with the persuasion that he was a Christian who, as regards his state of soul, answered to the description of the man, in Mark 8, who had been blind, when the Lord “asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.” The Lord grant that, like that same man, he may yet see “clearly;” and know assuredly the blessed portion which the believer has in Christ. He was, however, of a happy, thankful spirit, and, from enquiries which I afterwards made, I learned that he bears a good report. When I left him, I had the inward satisfaction which one experiences when; though in ever so humble a manner, we confess the name of the Lord, and for His sake seek the good of others.
I have now ended the account of my morning’s walk, as well as the expression of such thoughts arising from it as I hope may be of use to my young “unseen friends.” I have endeavored to serve you, and I trust that I have in some measure been successful. May God bless you all, and bring those of you that do not yet know Him to the knowledge of Himself in Christ; and may those of you who do know Him, as taught of God, “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever.”
T.