The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-18
Sun1ay Reahi1lg,
An evening Meditation.

The close of the day is fitting time
for serious reflection. AS the shadows O
evening gather around, let me turn m,
thoughts to future scenes-another portion
OF my mortal life is finished-I have ad
vanced another stage in my journey to the
eternal world.
What now are my thoughts, my hopes
my expectations in reference to eternityi
What have been my thoughts during the
day! Sometimes, in the rush of business
on my mind, have had little sense of nv
responsibility and obligations. Some,
times the fear that an allseeing eye was
discerning in my dealings with others, an
unustliiable selfishness, distressed me-
Again, the earnest aspiration went up from
my heart, that might be kept by the di-
vine hand, and that no evil word might
be found OH my lips, no evil thought in
my mind,-but still | am dissatisfied with
myself; l have forebome to speak to 9TH
ers, of God and their own souls; the house
OF affection was in my neighborhood, but
did not enter it; l heard the PROCLAMATION
OF the all holy name of God, and did not
rcprovc 1t; saw the suffering and the af-
filcted, and passed by on the other side:
angry thoughts rose from the depths OF
my heart, and did not suppress them;
evil maginations were in my mind, world
Iy anXieties, tritlcs light as air, and Oh, |
must add, ingratitude for Saviour's dy-
ng love, has found its sad expression in
unbelief and indifference.
Let me now come to the place of secret
prayer. Why this strange reluctance to
enter the closet and commune with God?
Alas. 1t Is because Of the sins, that so casi-
ly bcset me, because Of that mbelief, which
refuses to look to the blood of cleansing
Tor pardon. Yet | must come; Saviour.
compassionate and divine, thre not stay
away; Oh, turn not thy face from me in
anger; lctme weep for my sins and cast
myself again at thy feet. Whittier else
shall go' What other hope of pardon
for transgression like mine!
thanks TO thy name, oh, Emmanuel
there Is forgiveness with thee-thou wilt
not spurn from thy footstool. the perishing
and the lost; oh, take me, vile as l am,
under the shadow of thy wings; fill me
with thine own love and at thy bidding;
every temptation of earth shall pass harm
lessly by. Oh! teach me the mystery OF
thy love, and sin shall never more have
dominion over me.
Night is the emblem Of death. How
soon will my last night arrive, that night
OF darkness and gloom, whose morn will
be ushered in 10y the awful scenes of the
judgement. May ever keep it in solemn
prospect to chasten every joy, to restrain
from every sin, to awaken a daily solici
tudc, that may be found of my Judge il
peace.
On, death thou last portion of sorrow,
The prospect of heaven is bright,
And fair is the dawn of thy morrow,
But stormy and dreadful thy night.
What have done to-day to glorify
God! Methnks the solemn inquiry, should
enter every chamber Of the soul. Let me
never shrink from this investigation, but
in fidelity and with diligence may | i'm,
prove the season for selfexamination. let,
ting no worldly occupation hinder me in
my duty, or turn my mind from the pic
ture, which conscience places before me
a mournful picture indeed, but over its
deepest shades, there are crimson lines.
which speak of redemption and love. Oh,
my soul, never more let this shameless in
gratitude come between thee and thv God:
let the ice dissolve and tears of unfeigned
repentance and contribution and a life Of
willing obedience attest thy return to O
forgotten Rcdeemer.
The morning light will again shine up.
on the world-so shall the night of death
terminate to the humble Christian, in the
dawn of an eternal day. Shall its blessed
light fall upon my eyel Shall catch its
approaching glory, while struggling in the
valley of death! Oh, blessed Redeemer
let me gaze on thee in that dreadful hour
and will fear no evil-thy rod and thy
staff shall comfort me.
Jesus, the vision of thy face,
Hath oyerpowering charms;
Scare shall feel deaths cold embrace.
If Christ be in my arms.