IT was a fine winter afternoon, and we found ourselves approaching the cemetery of a small town in the West of England. The stillness of the scene, the bright sunset, and the large increase of gravestones, as well as the remembrance of former visits, made the moment peculiarly solemn. In one part lay the mortal remains of a beloved brother and servant of the Lord, whose Christian fellowship we had valued for well nigh a quarter of a century. Nor is it possible to forget the many happy seasons of prayer and ministry of the word we had so often enjoyed together. It had been our sweet privilege to be with him in his last days, till he departed to be with Christ; so that we only think of him now as “absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” A block of white marble, on which the name and year of his departure were placed, marks the spot where we had deposited the body, with only the additional words on the stone, “Till He come.”
The kind gravedigger, who had seen me enter the cemetery, was soon at our side, and, conjecturing what our errand might be, quickly pointed out the best path toward the grave. The man had been known to the writer for many years, for often it happened, when we visited that part of England, we had to attend a funeral of one or another of God’s dear people. We had known him too as one who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, but had never found him so communicative as then. Like many others, he would reply to a question, but seldom said more about the things which concern our Lord Jesus; but he was now evidently full of joy and gladness in the Lord.
During the few moments we were together, the substance of what passed between us was pretty much as follows: ―
“You know, sir,” said he, “though I had been a true believer on the Lord Jesus Christ for thirty years, I always felt sure there was something that I lacked, because I was so tossed about with doubts and fears; but the evening before last Good Friday I determined to give myself to earnest prayer to God about it. For nearly all the night I was calling upon God, and ever since that time I have been so happy that I seem to have Christ always before me and with me. In fact, my whole soul is so full of Christ, that I must speak for Him. I cannot help pointing others to the Saviour. I cannot now be silent; I must tell them about the Lord Jesus Christ. You know, sir, we get a plenty of visitors here.... Among others,” he said, “a lady came the other day to see the spot where the dreadful murderer was buried. I said, ‘There, madam, is the spot where his body lies.’ ‘And what do you think,’ said the lady, ‘has become of him?’ fear, mem, he is in hell.’ ‘How dreadful,’ said she. ‘And how is it with you, mem? if you were to die, where will your soul be?’ ‘I do not know,’ said she. ‘Then I will tell you, mesa, that God’s Word says that “all the nations that forget God will be turned into hell.’”
There was much more that passed at this solemn interview in the cemetery of a similar strain, which showed how much his heart was taken up with the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he had a liberty and joy which few now know, because he had been in the path and power of the Spirit of God.
On bidding this Christian gravedigger farewell, and greeting him as a beloved brother in Christ we had many happy thoughts, and some solemn and not unprofitable reflections.
First, we could not but feel greatly comforted and rejoiced at the remarkable way in which God’s blessing had reached the soul of this humble follower of Christ; and then the question occupied us, as to why believers generally were not as full of Christ, and as earnest and warm in their testimony for Him, as this gravedigger.
With regard to the first point, few seem to be aware how much our state of soul and walk affect other Christians. Still the fact remains the same. We are comforted and encouraged by the “faith” of others, and no doubt we are damaged in soul by carnal and unbelieving communications. The apostle in writing to the believers at Rome said, “that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me;” and he warns others against the corrupting influence of “evil communications” (Rom; 1:12; 1 Cor. 15:3333Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)). It is not only true, then, that Christians, if in a carnal and worldly state of soul, are not happy themselves, but that their influence tends to lower and damage other children of God with whom they come in contact. And who has not noticed the blessed effect of only a few minutes intercourse with those who are “walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost?” As members of one body, it is impossible to be walking in the Spirit in subjection to Christ the Head, without the whole body being edified or influenced for good; or to be grieving or quenching the Spirit of God, without damage to the other members of the “one body.” “Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:2626And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)). This is a divine principle, which we cannot too much lay to heart.
Then as to the next question, Why believers generally are not so full of Christ as this gravedigger? many a Christian reader will anticipate the answer. We should never forget, though we are really “the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,” and the Spirit can say to us through the Word, “Now ye are mine through the word that I have spoken unto you,” yet it is impossible that even such can bear fruit to the glory of the Father apart from communion with our Lord Jesus, for He says to us, “Without me ye can do nothing.” It is well when the soul of a believer habitually realizes his entire dependence on the Lord Jesus not only for eternal blessings, but for what he needs for every step of the wilderness journey. With such, neither self-righteousness, self-confidence, nor self-seeking, have any place. But this is only negative, for it tells us we can do nothing without the Lord Jesus. He certainly is our whole resource, as wet sometimes sing―
“Our whole resource along the road, ―
Nothing but Christ, the Christ of God.”
But knowing this, blessed as it is, is not enough. It is personally having to do with the glorified! Son of Man, learning of Him, receiving from Him, communion with Him, which is the secret both of personal enjoyment and personal devotedness. It is not here a question of knowledge, but of communion. It is more also than prayer; it is enjoyed communion, with the Lord. And it is fatal to the well-being of our souls to put knowledge or anything else in the place of communion. This is by no means an uncommon wile of Satan in these last days. Our Lord said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” It is then our coming to our Lord Jesus Christ, and drinking in what He gives. It is receiving from Himself His own word in faith, meditating on it, digesting it as it were; enjoying its comforting, nourishing, sustaining qualities in our own souls. Observe, it is not the word reaching merely the mind, and having the head crammed full of doctrines (important as intelligence is in its place), but it is the soul tasting that the Lord is gracious, drinking in the sincere milk of the Word, ―eating the little book, as it were, though sweet as honey in the mouth yet making the belly bitter. And what then? living waters flow out; a living testimony flows from such for the glory of God, and blessing to those around, ― a deep heartfelt ministry of Christ, according to the gift and grace received, coming from us, not in a scanty stream, or an occasional drop, but in RIVERS of testimony to Christ. “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” Yes, it shall be so, for He said, “Out of his belly SHALL flow rivers of living water.” May the reality of our blessings be more widely and constantly enjoyed is our heart’s desire and prayer; believers then would not be hanging down their heads as bulrushes, but rejoicing in the Lord, and making melody in their heart to the Lord.
H. H. S.
O Lord God, what is so needful as this? Salvation, salvation! Fly upon this condemned and foolish world, that would give so little for salvation! O, if there were a free market of salvation proclaimed in that day when the trumpet of God shall awake the dead, how many buyers would be there? God send you no more happiness but that salvation which the blind world (to their eternal woe) letteth slip through their fingers!”
SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.