46 The Mouth Opened

The Mouth Opened A Christian man who sometimes attended my ministry died the other day, and from the pen of his wife I have received his dying testimony. I love to collect the dying testimonies of godly men. When alive, he had been very reserved in reference to his own personal experience, but his life was a speaking life. So timid was he, that he never ventured to engage in prayer in public, nor even in his own family. This was his infirmity. But when the end came, his reserve left him. His confidence was strong. His testimony was decided. The day before he died, musing on God’s Word, and thinking of Jesus, he broke out in the presence of his wife, and exclaimed, "Oh, if I could see him with these mortal eyes! If we could see him come now, to take us up to be with him forever." On the day of his death, he was much in prayer, and to a friend who called to see him, he said, "You don’t know what I see and feel of the transcendent loveliness of my adorable Redeemer! Oh, to think of his stooping from his throne of glory, to save a sinner — An ATOM!! AN ATOM LIKE ME!!! Oh, sir, I know him!" And laying his hand on his heart, he said, "The love of Jesus! The love of Jesus! It has been here these many years; but, oh, sir, you cannot comprehend it!" Afterward he cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Do not delay another night, if it is your will!" And again placing his hand on his heart, he added, "Here he is fixed." And so saying, he fell asleep in Jesus. The body slept — but the soul awoke to see Jesus, and enjoy his glory and beauty in a brighter and better state.

Reader, are you reserved? Oh, speak for Jesus — speak of Jesus — he desires it, and he deserves it at your hands. Yes, he is worthy, for whom you should do this. Do not indulge in a nervous timidity. It will hinder your usefulness. It will deprive the Lord’s people of comfort and edification. Speak of what Jesus is to you, of what Jesus has done for you, and of what Jesus has wrought in you. It will be for your own benefit, as well as for the benefit of others; for in bearing our testimony, God blesses us, and makes us a blessing.

Never shall we regret that we have spoken of Jesus — but we may regret that we have not. Is not his love, a wonderful love? Is he not transcendently lovely in himself? And then to think of his leaving his throne, toiling, suffering, and dying on his cross — to save a sinner, an atom, like you, like me! Oh, it is wonderful! Well may the apostle say, "It passes knowledge!" We cannot comprehend it. Its heights, depths, lengths, and breadths — are beyond our powers of conception. What a privilege to know him! To possess him! To enjoy him! To have him in the heart, the hope of glory! And then, to depart, and be with him!

O Jesus, manifest yourself to me more clearly, more frequently; and let me joy in you, derive invaluable blessings from you, and often experience a desire to depart and be forever with you. I do desire to . . .
love you supremely,
serve you incessantly,
glorify you greatly, and
then ascend to see you, and be with you eternally.