Let us ask that our communion may be kept up in business hours as well as in
the private closet, that we may walk with Christ on tile Exchange and in the
street, as well as in the Tabernacle, or in the public engagements of
worship. Why need we leave him, Certainly he will not leave us. Oh! that we
may cling to him closely, cling to him and hold him fast. I like the saying
of a dying negro boy, who was asked why he felt so happy in the thought of
going to heaven. and he said, “I want to go to heaven principally because
Jesus is there.” “Well,” said they, “but do you always want to be with Jesus,
then, and with nobody else?” “Yes,” said he, “I only care to be where Jesus
is. “But suppose Jesus were to leave heaven?” Said he, “I would go with him.”
“But suppose Jesus went to hell, what then?” “Ah!” said the boy, “but there
could not be any hell where Jesus was; I would go with Jesus wherever he
might go.” Oh! that we had that kind of spirit, and that desire ever more,
not to be self-seeking, nor world-seeking, nor getting our joy out of common
pleasures, nor hunting after comfort where it cannot be found in these low-
land joys; but let us seek to be on the wing with our Master, up aloft,
dwelling in the land of communion. where Jesus lets out his very heart to his
people, and reveals himself to them as he cloth not unto the world. The Lord
give to this church many of those favoured men and women, whose communion
shall be with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. Oh! it is the
happiest, holiest, safest, richest. most useful kind of life. God grant it to
you.
But oh! dear friends, there are some here to whom all this talk is nothing
for they have never taken up the cross of King Jesus at all. Do you know it
is very seldom I come into this pulpit, very seldom indeed, without my seeing
here and there that mournful colour which indicates that another person has
departed this life? We are so numerous that there are two or three deaths
every week, and sometimes five or six, and as I happen to know when each one
is taken away I am continually reminded of the mortality of my congregation-
never twice alike-never under any circumstances-always some here that will
never be here again or were not here before; always some here who are just on
the brink of the grave. Now I speak to you to-night who may, though you know
it not, be on the brink of the grave, and I shall ask you to put to
yourselves this question, How will it fare with you when you pass into the
spirit-world, and stand before your God, when you are not reckoned as a
friend of Christ, but have to take your stand among his enemies? You would
not wish to take that place even to-night. You are halting between two
opinions; but, my dear friend, that halting of yours must come to an end very
soon, or otherwise death will decide it, and where death finds you judgment
will leave you, and hell will continue you. Oh! I pray you lay hold on
eternal life, and this night cast in your lot with Christ. Oh! he is the
brightest leader ever soldier had. He is the fairest Prince under whom anyone
could serve. His cause is such as will ennoble you. To fight under his banner
makes each private soldier into a prince, ennobles each one into a king.
Before thou canst serve him, remember thou must be washed by him. There is a
fountain filled with blood; if thou cost trust him, that blood will make thee
white as snow. If thou cost trust him now, his Holy Spirit will give thee
grace to enlist in his army, and to continue a faithful soldier until thou
shalt lay down thy battle with thy life, and cease at once to fight and live,
and enter into the victory for ever and ever. By the horror of Christ’s
defeated foes. among whom I would not have you numbered; by the glory of
Christ’s victorious friends, among whom I would fain see you muster, look
unto Christ and live to-night, and may he help you to do so. Amen.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
