Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-04

" are cnalloD&6u IO HleaSuIo III TO COM
pute il, to weigh it. In the hour of our
broken enthrallment, we mount up into
high experience of his love, and shout until
the countenance glows, and the blood
bounds, and the whole nature is exhiIarat-
ed, 81 have found himp' And yet is through
glass, darkly. We see not half of that
compassionate face. We feel not half the
warmth of that loving heart. We wait for
death to let US rush into his cutspread
arms. Then we shall be face to facs. Not
shadow then, but substance. Not hope
then, but the fulfilling of all prefgurement.
| That will be magnificent unfolding. The
rushing out in view of all hidden excelleucy;
/ the coming again of long absent Jesus to
meet ns-not in rags and in penury and
death, but amidst light and pomp and
outbursting joy such as none but a glorified
| intelligence could experience. Oh! to gaze
| full upon the brow that was iacerated, up-
on the side that was pierced, upon the feet
that we're nailed; to stand close up in the
presence of Him who aged for US on the
mountain, and thought of us by the sea,
and agonized for us in the garden, and
died for us in horrible crucifxion; to feel of
Him, to embrace Him, to take His hand.
to kiss His feet, to run our fingers along
the scars of ancient suffering, to say: "This
L
shall never leave His presence. l shall for
ever behold His glory. 1 shall eterpally
hear His voice. Lord Jesus. Now | see
Thee! l behold where the blood started,
where the tears coursed, where the face was
distorted. have waited for this hour. l
shall never turn my back on thee. No more
| locking through imperfect glasses. No
more studying thee in the darkness. But
as long as this throne stands, and this ever
lasting river flows, and those garlands
bloom, and these arches of victory remain
to greet home heavens conquerors, SO long
shall see thee, Jesus of my choice, Jesus
of my song, Jesus of my triumph-forever
and forever-face to facer'
The idea of my texts is just as true when
applied to Gods providence. Who has not
come to some pass in life thoroughly mex
plicable? You say: "What does this
mean? What is God going to do With LIE
now? He tells me that ell things work to-
gether for good This does not look like it."
You continue 10 study the d,spensation, and
after awhile guess about what God means.
''He means to teach ne this I think he
means to teach me that. Perhaps it is to
humble my p.ide. Perhaps it is to make
me feel more dependent. Perhaps to teach
me the uncertainty of life." But, after all,
it is only a guess--a looking through the
glass darkly. Ths Bible assures us there
shall be a satisfactory unfolding. "What
/ do thou knowest not now, but sthou shalt
know hereafter" You will know why God
took to Himself that only child. Next door
there was household of seven children.
Why not take one from that group, instead
of your only one? Why single out the
dwelling in which there was only one heart
beating responsive to yours? Why did God
give you child at all, if He meant to take
it awaya Why ill the cup of your gladness
brimwing, if He meant to dash it dowD2
Why allow all the tendrlls of your heart to
wind around that object, and then, when
every 6ber of your own life seemed to be
iuterlocked with the cbild's life, With strong
hand to tear you apart, until you fall bleed.
ing and crushed, your dwelling desolate,
your hopes blasted, your heart broken? Do
, you suppose that God will explain that
| Yea. He will make it palmer than any
, mathematical problem-as plain as that two
and two make four. In the light of the
! throne yod will see that it was right-al
J right. "Just aud true are all thy ways
Q thou king of saintsp' Here is man whc
cannot get on in the world. He always
!. seems to buy at the wrong time and sell a
. the worst disadvantage. He tIies this en-
r terprse, and fails; that business, and il
G Disappointed. The man next door to hin
o has lucrative trade, but he lacks custom