The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06
The Beloved Disciple.

St. John was called the "beloved
disciple.n The Lord Jesus loved all
"His own" but John seems to have
been very near His heart. Once, at
the table, where the disciples were at
supper with the Lord, John leaned
upon His bosom, and was 30 sure or
the love of Jesus that he was not afraid
to ask Him any question. How de-
lighlful to be SO hear 10 Him as this!
John showed his love for Jesus
when he was sent TO the lonely island
of Patmos, and would not deny his
faith in Him. Christians suffered q
great deal for Jesus's sake in those
days, but "they rejoiced that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame
for His name."
On Patmos, where perhaps no sound
was heard but the sea waves dashlng
OIL the rocks, John says he was "in
the Spirit Oil the Lords Day." 1t
may be that he had feeling of lone
liuess OIL that Lords Day morning.
When the sun rose perhaps he looked
with great longing over the waters TO-,
waid his home and friends. 1t would
have comforted him then to haye talk-
ed with them of many things Jesns
had said when He was present win
them
But the Lord would not let this true
friend of His continue in loneliness.
He wanted him to know, what is true
now, that Jesus IL never lar away from
those who truly love Him aud are
ready TO suffer for His sake. John
says: II heard behind ME voice."
1t was the same voice that had spoken
softly to him when he leaned upon
Jesus's bosom years before. Now 1t
was loud and full of strength. At
first John was afraid. His eyes and
ears were not used TO the glory Of the
other world. He says: II fell at His
feet as dead. And He laid His right
hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear
not" Then John knew He was the
gentle Saviour, "the same yesterday,
today, and forever" and he was no
more afraid.
No longer lonely now, he sits under
the shadow Of the rock, listening in
tentIy to hear what the Lord wonld
say, 30 that he may write 1t for us to
read. Wonderful things lie Wrote !!
They teach us that If we truly love
Jesus, as long as we live in this world
we shall have to suffer for His sake
They tell US that Satan makes war
with Christ, and tries to get His people
away from Him, and that wicked
people plot mischief against those who
try to do good. But over all this dark
picture The face of God shines like the
snu i'm his strength" John saw beyond
the clouds into the very mi,lst OF
heaven, and he heard the angels and
the people redeemed from the earth
singing and chanting victory.
Over and over again it was SAID,
blessed is he that overcometh'-
that is. who gets the victory over sin
Listen; Him that overcometh will ]
make pillar in the temple Of my God,
and he shall 60 no more out: and
will write upon him the
name of the city of my God, \
and will write upon him My new
NAME" How blessed to have Gods
name written upon ns, so that every
body knows as soon as they see US,
that we belong to Him. If John had
not been "in the Spirit" Oh the Lords
Day, he would never have heard these
"blessed and true sayings" And we
will miss much that God would say to
us if we careless and forgetful of His
worship on the day which He has
specially set apart for Himself.