45. The Best Preparation For The Second Advent

The Best Preparation for the Second Advent

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye
yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord"—Luke 12:35-36. The "Daily Telegraph" has a leading-article commencing as follows:—" There is a well-known story in New England which relates that, about a century ago, a day of remarkable gloom and darkness overspread the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut—a day still spoken of in local histories as 'the dark day,' when the light of the sun was slowly extinguished as if by an eclipse. The Legislature of Connecticut happened at that moment to be in session, and, to quote an American writer 'As its members saw the unexpected and unaccountable darkness coming on, they shared in the general awe and terror.

It was supposed by many that the Last Day—the Day of Judgment—had come, and, in the consternation of the hour, some member moved the adjournment of the House. Then straightway there arose an old Puritan legislator, Davenport of Stamford, and said that if the Last Day had come, he desired to be found in his place and doing his duty; for which reasons he moved that candles should be brought, so that the House might proceed with its debate." This Davenport of Stamford was a wise man. What could the other senators have suggested which would be equally suitable for the occasion? If it had been the Last Day, would they have been more ready for it if they had gone to their homes, and waited there in idleness? Would it have been more seemly to have rushed into the street, and to have stood there with gaping mouths looking upward to the sky? What was better than being ready for whatever might happen, and waiting at the post of duty? We believe firmly in the second advent of Christ, and in the grand fact that he may come at such an hour as we think not, but what of that? What is the practical use of the revelation? Are we to forego matters of immediate concern in order to pry into the impenetrable darkness of the future? Are we to make ourselves into mere star-gazers and prognosticates? Are we to spend our time in idle wonder, concluding that every time we hear of wars and rumours of wars, and read of earthquakes in divers places, it is an infallible token that the end of the world is near? Why, there have been wars and rumours of wars and all the other signs a score of times, and yet the world wags on at its usual rate. No, rather let us give ourselves up more entirely to the pressing demands of our Lord's household, let us bring out of his storehouse things new and old, continue to feed our fellow-servants and welcome home the wanderers, and then, whether the Master come at cockcrow or at midnight, it will signify little enough to us. We shall welcome him whenever he comes, and he will meet us with joy, for" Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." Master Davenport of Stamford doubtless had a solid confidence in the Lord Jesus, his faith had fixed itself upon his first advent, and received the salvation which Jesus came to bring, and therefore, delivered from all trepidation and alarm, he did not share in the general terror, nor draw inferences of alarm from the unexpected and unaccountable darkness. The heavens might fall, but he dwelt above the heavens, and in quietness and assurance was his strength. Moreover, the good man possessed a faith which manifested itself by works; his business was his religion, and religion was his business. He believed he was called of God to sit in the legislature of Connecticut, and therefore there he sat; he only wanted candles that he might see what he was at. He was doing what was right, he was there to vote for justice and truth, and if his Master had come, he would have risen from his seat and said," Here I am, in the place thou wouldst have me to occupy." We remember once calling upon one of our members, a sister who managed her household with discretion. She was in humble circumstances, and when we stopped opposite her house she was whitening the front steps. She rose from her pail, and apologized for being found with her sleeves up; but we begged her to make no excuse, for she was doing her duty, and we earnestly hoped that when our Lord should come he would find us in the same condition. If she had known we were coming, it is just possible she would have put on her best gown, and have been waiting in the little parlour, but we should not have been one half as charmed with her prepared appearance as with the exhibition of her every-day industry. The most fitting condition for death and for judgment is to be diligent in the Master's business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. The times are very dark, bring in the candles, and let the house proceed with the present business.

Thus we bring our little book to a conclusion, only wishing our readers to remember the words of him who so shortly shall appear—" Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."