The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-10
Messengers to the Other Side.


And II some of our aged Christian
friends are awaiting for little while in
order TO carry the latest gospel news to
the dear ones on the other side of the
Jordan, what will they be able to tell
our fathers and mothers our brothers
and sisters, our wives and little children,
who have gone beyond and are await
ing our coming7 VIII they pe able to
tell them that you and I love the Lord
Jesus7 VIII they be able to tell our
loved ones that they must keep a place
by their side for us in one of the heav-
emily mansions7 Oh my brother and sis
ter, see by the tears in your eyes that
you are anxious awfully anxious, In ref
erence to the message which our aged
Christian friends shall have to bear.
Shall we plead with God that our dear
aged friends may be allowed to live Just
little while longer so that we all may,
here and now. give our hearts to Jesus?
Then, We aged Christian friends, carry
the news as soon as you may to that
bright and happy land. Carry the news
that, by the blood of Christ we have
all been cleansed from sin. Tell them
that we have all been purged with hys-
sop until we are clean. that we have
been washed until we are whittier than
snow.
That was a significant experience that
Archbishop Leighton had in one of his
illnesses. 1t was thought that he was
dying, but. in answer to the prayers OF
his friends. he was raised from the
threshold Of the grave. But the good man
did not share the gadness OF his friends.
He said: II did not want to get well. 1
am an old man, and most or my friends
are on the other side. In my last sick
ness l felt I was like weary mariner
sailing over the sea. I was coming near
the harbor of peace I could see a great
host of my departed loved ones coming
down to the shore and waving to me, and
I was waving back. I could recognize
their different faces. But just as I was
about to enter the harbor of peace a
great storm arose and I was driven
back. The storm drove me far out of
sight of the heavenly land. Now I must
sail the weary voyage of life over again"
And so, my aged Christian friends,
believe that you are the favored ones.
You are the Christians who will carry
the messages to our dear ones as we'll as
to your own. When you go, I want you
personally to take to my mother and ia
Their my love, just as my father sent his
love to his boy. Tell them for me that by
the grace of God we all want to meet
them soon
Thus, We aged Christians, I want you
to realize that the words of my text were
written for you. They shall still bring
forth fruit In their old age mems that
your work and usefulness will not be
finished until you draw your last breath,
until you take your glorious departure.
I want you to realize that your work In
life is just the same kind of work as
was that aged farmers who was plant
ing some young trees one day, when a
neighbor came along and said: What
are you planting those trees for7 You
will never live long enough TO see them
grow up" NO" answered the old man;
1T never expect to see them grow up.
but my grandfather planted yonder aged
trees so that I could play undei mem
and pluck their fruit and I want to
plant these trees so that my children
and my children's children can eat of
their fruit after / am dead" So, aged
Christians, as your aged parents sweet
ened your life when you were young.
you. by the blessing of God, are sweet
enng ours. May your work be to you q
happy work until at last the angel Of the
resurrection comes to call you to your
eternal reward. May we be as faithful to
our trust as you. who are still faithfully
bearing fruit in your old age