It was after his return to the field of his labor at Ephesus, as is supposed, that John wrote his gospel, or a great portion of it, together with the Epistles addressed to his brethren.
Even when the day of his death drew near, and the weakness of the time-worn body prevented his moving among them, even then his spirit labored, and they who so loved and reverenced him, feeling that when he was among them their prayers would prove more “articulate in the ear of heaven,” would bear him in their arms to the place of worship, that his so dear, but feeble and faltering voice, might be yet once more heard teaching them with words of inspiration.
Well might they love him who had spent himself in their service; well might they venerate the aged preacher, and treasure up his mild and peaceful words in their hearts; well might they give heed to the dying entreaties of the saint, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols,” and “love one another.”
In his one hundredth year the faithful missionary died, breathing his last amongst the grateful people for whom he had so successfully labored, and making them, and all the world, heirs of a treasure of blessed example, by which whosoever shall be led, will not need to go through life,
“Forever sighing
For the far-off, unattained, and dim!”
because, in that case, Love, the first-born of the Father, will have entered the heart, and in the brightness of her smile fruits will ripen, which will certainly prove other, far other than the poor “apples of Sodom.”
Is it a vain thing to urge upon the reader a careful examination of his character, the scenes of whose life we have now so rapidly glanced over?
Is there, my beloved, no reason why we should turn our eyes to the distant Past for lessons of wisdom, because the brightest sunlight streams around us now?
Ah! whence come all these rumors of wars—these unlawful strivings after power—these convulsions of governments—this inordinate seeking after riches? Why art thou, oh earth, so disquieted within thee, when so many centuries ago angels came unto thee, singing “peace upon the earth?” The Prince of Peace has lived and died, and now reigneth forevermore in glory; the Prophets are also dead; and the Apostles—what, are they dead to us? Not so! they are “alive unto God!” and behold what they have left to us in this world! A treasure-house, where are garnered riches they have bequeathed to all posterity, which are vast enough to ransom an enslaved world!