And now what would he say if he could speak to us from that presence chamber of God? Do you think he would change his note, or withdraw his testimony?
What would he say to you believers? Do you think he would tell you to give up for that your faith is in vain? Would he not rather say, that the half was not told you, no not the thousandth part, and that there is such a fulness in Christ Jesus as when on earth he never had had the least idea of? Would he not entreat you to cleave to him, to follow him, to love him, to serve him, to labour for him, and to clasp him to your heart as the strength of your life, and the joy of your soul?
And what would he say to the unconverted? Would he say to them that it does not matter whether they are converted or not, and that he finds that he was mistaken? You may remember what he said in his farewell Sermon, “I think with grief of those who have not submitted to the Gospel of Christ. To such, the minister stands in a very awful position as a witness. Oh, those words, “Son remember!” You See how the Father of the faithful addressed him, owned him as a son, and one of the family, so that he might have shared its blessing; but he had cast them away. My unconverted brethren, if you die without Christ, oh the bitterness of the anguish, and remorse! What must be the worm that never dies, the fire that is never quenched? O consider this ye that forget God. He that being often rebuked, and invited, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. My hearers, what I want is that your hearts may be given to the Lord. I want Christ to be enthroned in your hearts. I want you to become His, to enter in while the door of mercy invites your approach, and to share all the blessings of everlasting salvation so freely offered through Christ Jesus the Saviour!” Do you think he would say less now, now that he has seen the great realities? Oh! how would he plead with you, and how would he persuade you, and how would he point you to the Lord Jesus Christ for life! But we shall hear that voice no more on earth, and we can never again listen to him pleading with souls. Nevertheless, the message remains, the Redeemer remains, the salvation remains, the open door still remains, and may God grant that there may be such a work in each one of us, that when we pass beyond the veil, we may be welcomed, as we are sure that he has been, with the words—“Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!”
HENRY S. COLBRAN, PRINTER, TUNBRIDGE WELLS.