The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-05
Crossing the River.
BY REV. JoHL LEYBURN, D. D.

BY REV. JoHl, LEYBURN, D. D.
The varied forms in which death APP
pears under the imagery of a river, both
with poets and preachers, shows how it
has become imbedded in the language of
Gods people. Doubtless, crossing the
Jordan by the Israelites is the source of
this favorite symbol; though this i'm
agery is not peculiar to Christian minds.
The heather poets had their Acheron
and Styx; with Charon, the ferryman, to
carry over departed spirits. Notice
some things as to this crossing.
l. 1t is inevitable. cit is appointed
unto all men once to die" Save Enoch
and Elijah, who were translated, all
mankind have departed from the shores
of time, over this dark and turbid stream.
2. 1t is naturally revolving to man
kind. 1t involves painful separations
going alone and unattended by friends
the conflict of expiring nature, and deep
and solemn mysteries beyond
3. We have no definite information as
to the character and manner of the cross
ing. Nobody comes back to tell his ex-
perlence and discoveries. Friends cross
the ocean, or the continent, and return
to tell what they have seen, and what
manner of passage they had But no
one comes back from the other side of
the river of death. Once over, they al
ways stay. How great deaths mystery
4. According to prevalent opinion, the
crossing is attended with great physical
suffering. Perhaps not. Death is, no
doubt, virtually over before we die.
You may cut into tree with keen, heavy
strokes until it is almost cut through,
but still it stands. Let only a gentle
breeze now strike it and it falls The
heavy strokes had done the work before
the breeze came. Many, probably most,
glide into the river unconsciously.
5. Spiritual doubts and apprehensions
sometimes render even true believers
timid as to crossing. Not that they do
not believe in and love Christ, but that
they are so impressed with their short
comings and unworthiness that they can
not think themselves ready. Bunyan
represents Christian as fearful when in
the stream, but cheered when Hopeful
told him his feet were on firm bottom
and that he had glimpse of the Celes-
tlal City. Christ himself has gone over
before US, and he will see that all who
trust him will get across safely. Fear
not, l am with thee says our blessed
and ever-present Hope and Helper.
6. Faithful pilgrims have a CONVOY to
meet them on the hither side, and CON
duct them over. Angels are ministering
spirits, to minister to them that shall be
heirs of salvation. Angels bore the de-
parting spirit of Lazarus home to glory.
Often the dying saint seems to see spir-
itual beings around his dying bed. Pro-
badly he does.
7. There is much to cheer us as to the
crossing exceeding great and precious
PROMISES" and the fact that multitudes
have gone over happy, singing and
praising God, and certifying that
Jesus can make dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are"
The last words have often been, al
fear no evil"
Let those who are striving heaven
ward be comforted with the assurance
that for them also all will be well.
When the dying hour comes God will
give dying grace. Some one has beauti-
fully said: owe should go to sleep at
night as homesick passengers do, saying,
Perhaps in the morning we shall see the
shore Nothing but the Opaque bodily
eye prevents us from beholding the gate,
which is Just open before us, and nothing
but the dull ear prevents us from hear
ing the ringing of those bells of 10y
which welcome US to this heavenly land. >"
Why should we start and fear to die2
What timorous worms we mortals are
Death is the gate Of endless ioy,
And vet we dread In antar fbnre
" Be not faithless but believing" "Dy-
ing Is but going home. '-New York OBJ
seTUeT.
The great relininns nontrnuersu il NOT