XXVI. THE PARTING PLACE, AND THE MEETING PLACE.
The following circumstance took place not long after the last meeting. Two mothers, who were both present at the Class, about a fortnight after met in the Cemetery, sorrowing at their children’s graves. Each had during that interval lost a child, but not having heard of each other’s trouble, the meeting was unexpected.
On this occasion the following subject was taken.
I. The parting place—the child’s death-bed. This is,
1. A parting place.
All must die alone. The mother may have watched over her child with untiring care during its years of infancy, the trials of youth, and the snares and cares of riper years, but here they must part. 2 Sam. xii. 15, 23.
2. A weeping place. Gen. xxi. 16.
2 Sam. xii. 21. Jer. xxxi. 15.
Mark, v. 38. Luke, vii. 13. Not wrong, for Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. John, xi. 35.
3. A birth place
To a new and heavenly life. But not so to all. To some, namely, to those who have indeed been born again. Luke, xvi. 22; and to babes. Isa. xl. 11.
Contrast David’s sorrow for his infant, (2 Sam. xii. 23) with his sorrow for Absalom, 2 Sam. xix. 4. To one death was the door of life, to the other of death.
II. The meeting place—the judgment-seat. Rev. xx. 12. Rom. xiv. 10.
You cannot avoid it.
It will be.
1. To all a place of recognition.
The child you led to Christ—the child you led astray. The child you trained for heaven—the child you trained for hell. All will be there.
2. To many a place of weeping. Matt. xxv. 30. Luke, vi. 25.
3. To many a place of rejoicing. Matt. xxv. 34.
Believing mother! Your night of weeping will then be over, your morning of joy will dawn, of which the sun will never set! Ps. xxx. 5.
Which will it be to you—a meeting-place of joy or sorrow?
May you and your children be so united in Christ here, that you may both part and meet in peace!
XXVII. THE MOTHER’S DEATH-BED.
On the occasion of the death of a young mother, which took place not long after the first meeting in the new year.
I. How near it may be. 1 Sam. xx. 3. Job, xxi. 13.
In the midst of life we are in death.
We have had a solemn lesson. Almost the youngest in our class cut down the first.
II. The hour of death is an hour
1. Of deep solemnity.
It is a dark valley. Ps. xxiii. 4. Job. x. 21.
2. Of much regret.
Conscience awake, looks back on duties undone—things done—words spoken—words unsaid, &c.
3. Often of great suffering. Ps. cxvi. 3.
Not the time to begin to seek the Lord.
4. Of parting. Philip, i. 23, 24.
Must die alone. Must leave husband and children. They may go with you to the edge of the river, but no further.
5. Of weeping. Gen. xxxv. 18; xxiii. 2. John, xi. 31. 2 Sam. xix. 4.
6. It is an hour when Christ, and Christ alone, can save you.
Thus we pray, ‘In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord, deliver us.’
His rod and staff alone can help you. Ps. xxiii. 4.
He alone can take away the sting from death. 1 Cor. xv. 55, 57. Rom. viii. 38, 39. Isa. xliii. 2.
It is only if washed in His blood, and clothed in His righteousness, that you need not fear to appear before God.