Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1882-05-06
Crossing the River.

appears under the imagery of
river, both with poets and preachers
shows how it has become imbedded
in the language of Gods people
Doubtless, crossing the Jordan nv
the Israelites is the source of this
favorite symbol though this imagery
is not peculiar to Christian minds.
The heather poets had their Acheron
and Styx; with Charon, the ferry.
man, to carry over departed spirits.
Notice some things as to this cross
ing.
l. 1t is inevitable. at is an
pointed unto all men once to die,
Save Enoch and Elijah, who were
translated, all mankind have depart.
ed from the shores of time, over
this dark and turbid stream.
2. 1t is naturally revolving to man.
kind. 1t involves painful separa.
ton, going alone and unattended by
friends, the conflict ofexpiring nature,
and dread and solemn mysteries be.
yond.
5. We have no definite informa-
ton as to the character and manner
of the crossing. Nobody comes back
to test his experience and discoveries
Friends cross the ocean, or the cont.
nent, and return to tell what they
have seen, and what manner of pas.
sage they had. But no one comes
back from the other side of the river
of death. Once over they always
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 q
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 uncon.
sciously.
5. Spiritual doubts and apprehen.
sions sometimes render even true be-
levers timld as to crossing. Not
that they do not believe in and love
Christ, but that they are so Impress
ed with their ortcomings and nm
worthiness that they cannot think
themselves ready. Bunyan repre-
sents Christian as fearful when in
the stream, but cheered when Hope
full told him his feet were on firm
bottom, and that he had glimpse
of the Celestial City. Christ himself
has gone over before us, and He will
see that all who trust Him will get
across safely. Fear not, | am with
thee" says our blessed and ever
present Hope and Helper.
6. Faithful pilgrims have con-
voy to meet them on the hither side,
and conduct them over. Angels are
ministcring spirits, to minister to
them that shall be heirs of salvation.
Angels bore the departing spirit OF
Lazarus home to glory. Often the
saint seems to see spiritual beings
around his dying bed. Probably he
does.
Z. There is much to cheer ms as
to the crossing, exceeding great
and precious promises = and the
fact that multitudes have gone over
happy; singing end praising God,
and certifying that
Jesus can make dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillowsare."
The last words have often been: 81
fear no eyil.n
Let those who are striving Heaven
ward be comforted with the assur-
ance that for them also all will be
well. When the dying hour comes
God will give dying grace. Some
one has beautifully said : /" We should
go to sleep at night as homesick pas
sengers 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 hearing the ringing of those
bells of joy which welcome us to this
Heavenly land"
"Why should we start and fear to die?
What timorous worms we mortals arc
Death is the gate of endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there"
Be not faithless but believing"
" Dying is but going home."-Rer.
John Leyburn, d. d., in N Y. Obserr'
e..
Balancing the Books.