03.05. Behind the Partition

5. Behind the Partition

It is an old saying that "he who observes providences will never lack a providence to observe," and I think it applies equally to illustrations of Divine truth. If you are ready to mark them — they are sure to come. By giving one that lately struck me, I may possibly be helping some young friend in two or three matters of real importance.

I was rather late, so instead of going straight into our Mission room, where a service was being held for the poor, I turned into a side room, and sat down quietly close to the thin wooden partition that usually separates it from the larger Mission hall. To tell the truth, that evening I had also another reason for not going into the midst of the congregation. A young friend was making his first address, and I know by experience how easily a beginner may get a fit of nervousness, and so be embarrassed and hindered in his address. So I remained out of sight in the smaller room — and yet heard distinctly every word as if I had been sitting in the midst of those gathered together.

While listening to very useful practical words on the Prodigal Son, a thought flashed across my mind which has never left me since.

It came to me somewhat in this shape: "I am carefully listening to my young friend. Just so, there is One too who hearkens to me when I speak or preach in His name. Truly I cannot see Him, but He is very near, only a very thin partition, the veil of sense and sight, separates me from Him, and He marks every word I utter. And more than this, He hears all, not only the words I speak, but the thoughts and motives which breathe within. If I speak amiss; if, through neglect of prayer or preparation, I withhold instruction I ought to give, or fail in the boldness, earnestness, reality, and love I ought to manifest; if I shrink from reproving sin, or do not exalt the Savior, or plead for holiness as I ought — then He is grieved and dishonored. If on the other hand, I am faithful in pointing sinners to Him, if I warn and exhort in faith and power, if I build up His people in the truth, He is near to hear, and He accepts and approves my words." And may not this be a calming, quickening, strengthening remembrance to some who may read these pages? You may be a governess, and have charge of a little flock of three or four children, and out of love to the Master, you wish to do all you can for them. You teach them day by day out of the Holy Scriptures, and to the best of your ability you guide the little ones to the Master’s footstool. You endeavor to impart the secular instruction which is needful for them, and in every way you wish to make them useful in their future life.

Take in the thought and dwell upon it, that Christ is with you in your toil. Whatever you teach — teach for Him and believe that He is near, close by to assist and reward your efforts. Parents may not always sympathize with you. They may not be always wise, nor may they appreciate your desire to win your pupils for Christ — but He sees and knows and rejoices in your work. Let this be your consolation. Whatever you may have to put up with, there is a Friend who understands and cares for you, and will never leave you comfortless if you trust in Him.

You may be a teacher in a Sunday school, and your scholars may be at times unruly, and you may lack the gifts you would desire for the work. But remember the One behind the partition. Carefully prepare your lesson. Ask of the Lord both for yourself and your children the prepared heart. Go forth with your seed-bag well stored with the precious grain of God’s truth. Then believe that the Lord Himself stands by to hearken, to strengthen, to accept and prosper each word you speak for Him, and to make your words living words in the hearts of your pupils. Or you may be a worker in some other division of the Great Vineyard. You may be a nurse in a hospital, or from time to time in a private home, and you desire to be as useful to the souls as well as the bodies of those whom you tenderly watch over. You may be a visitor among the poor of town or country, earnestly striving to help and comfort the suffering and careworn, and to guide stray ones back to the fold; you may have a special vocation to our navies, or our bargemen, the waifs and strays of our streets, or the friendless girls who need so much care. You may have a work in a far-off land, among strange faces and heathen customs, for the Master’s sake, and trying to raise your black sisters out of their ignorance and degradation. But wherever you are, and whatever your work, there is the same cheering thought. The great Friend, the Almighty Worker is close at hand, and though unseen, most surely by your side, sending His Spirit, upholding you by His presence, making your least utterance powerful for the purpose for which He sends it. Within sight it may be, are those who oppose, misjudge, and sorely hinder you — but beyond your sight, behind the partition is another form — One greater and stronger than all — and He says, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Help me, O Lord,
To give Your work the foremost place of all;
To keep my post, whatever may befall;
And never to hold back, when You do call
To work for You. But another thought came to me in close connection with the one on which I have been dwelling: If the Master is behind the partition to hear the words I speak for Him — no less is He there to hear the words I speak to Him or to the Father in His name. If He marks each word I speak in the pulpit, in the school, by the wayside, in feeding His flock — may I not be sure that He hears likewise every word uttered in prayer, whether in the secret chamber, in the family, or in the church? The thought seemed to give a new reality and power to prayer. Would that I could fully realize it! Whenever I kneel down or lift up my heart in silent petition, there is One very near whose ear is open to receive it. Every desire, every sigh of a trembling, sorrowful spirit, every note of grateful praise — is heard, and is pleasant and acceptable to Him. Do you, my young friend, esteem as you should this privilege of prayer? Do you reckon it a real joy that you are allowed to pray? Do you resort to the mercy-seat as a little child runs to a most loving parent? Do you delight to bring your troubles and your fears — that you may find relief and comfort? Do you seek rest from a burdened conscience, when you have done amiss, by bringing your sins and failures to Jesus? How many times have you prayed during the last seven days? And was it real prayer — prayer that meant just what you said? Or was it only empty words? In a letter from a friend who had not written to me for a long time, I was struck with the heading, "The heart’s neglected duty." My friend excused himself by telling me how long he had been waiting for time to send me a long, full letter of all he had been doing, and so delayed until he could wait no longer. But is not prayer too frequently "the heart’s neglected duty?" And what can be our excuse for so often failing in it? Is not our Great High Priest ready to accept a few moments’ prayer, if only it be sincere? May we not set apart a few minutes for quiet retirement morning and evening? May we not despatch, again and again, through the day, in our walking or in our resting, a message by this heavenly telegraph?

Never, never neglect prayer. Countless blessings you will lose if you do. Temptation and sin will come upon you unawares, and, having laid aside your armor, you will be powerless to resist. Pray often. Pray humbly. Pray with a real desire for whatever you ask. Pray in dependence upon the aid of the Spirit. Pray in full assurance that your prayer will be heard. The blood is sprinkled around the mercy seat, and answers every charge of guilt. The merciful and faithful High Priest is ever interceding on your behalf. At the same time, by virtue of His Divine nature, He is near to you. Utter but His name, and in a whisper, and He hears you. Only lift up a longing eye to Him, and your petition is accepted.

O tarry and be strong,
Tell God in prayer,
What is your secret grief,
Your hidden care.

Yet if no answer come,
Pray on and wait;
God’s time is always best,
Never too late.

O tarry and be strong,
Faint not, nor fear —
God’s blessed leisure time
Will soon be here. Your prayer has not been lost,
Your God has heard,
And carefully stored up
Each whispered word.

O tarry and be strong,
Through sorrow’s night;
Soon will the sun arise,
And all be bright.

O weary, waiting heart,
Longing for rest;
Look up, and trust in God,
His time is best.

There is another thing that I would leave with you. The subject is a wide one, but it seems to come distinctly within the range of the illustration I have employed. There is One behind the partition who hears every word, good or bad, which our lips utter.

I suppose if one were a little mouse in the sitting-room, or somehow were able to overhear the talk of young ladies where they were able to speak freely and without fear or restraint — we would now and then catch up curious bits of conversation. It might not always be very profitable. It might not be such as they would always wish a mother to hear. Bits of scandal now and then, the plot of a novel whose moral tone was not very high, thoughts and plans about the future which were not in the line of a consistent Christian walk — well, we all know that the human heart has its folly and vanity and evil ever bubbling up like a fountain, and as are our thoughts and feelings, so will be the talk of the lips. But it may help you, to remember the Father’s ear from which nothing can be kept. It grieves His love when you speak amiss. Half-untruths, envious or suspicious remarks about others, jokes and jesting which have a touch of evil which you would not openly put into words, harsh judgments about parents or teachers, irreverent talk about Church or Bible, or this clergyman or that, speaking behind another’s back what you would never say before their face, speeches, more or less tainted with falsehood, spite, jealousy, unchastity, ungodliness — these, my young friend, are not spoken into the air, but are heard and recorded by One who loves you with the tenderest love, and for this very reason cannot bear that you should defile your tongue with anything contrary to His holiness and truth. But remember other words are heard also. I can imagine two Christian girls having quiet talks about better things. Both have found out the great secret of happiness. Both have discovered the pearl of great price, and love the Savior and His Word. And where their treasure is, there their heart is also. So their talking is of His great salvation. Many a hidden jewel of the Word is passed on from one to another. Many a word is spoken by the one more advanced to help the other in temptation or doubt. Many a suggestion is made about Christian work, or about reaching one who is yet away from the fold.

Such words as these are not forgotten by the Master. Spoken "in the ear secretly in closets," they shall be "proclaimed upon the housetops." They shall be recognized one day as blessed evidences of true grace, and as having been a precious means of advancing the kingdom of Christ. There is One behind the partition, and He hears and rejoices in your faith and love. "Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession!" (Malachi 3:16-17).

There is one other thought that arises in connection with this subject that may cheer and comfort some of my readers. You may have lost Christian friends, or near relations, perhaps a father, or mother, or sister, whose love made the brightness of your home. Through their absence, you may often be lonely or sorrowful. But to those who love the Savior, this world and the next are very close together. It was the saying of an African woman, "Heaven is far, very far from the wicked — but it is near, very near to the righteous." The Good Shepherd has but one fold, though there is at present a partition between those here below and those who have entered within the veil.

Let the remembrance of this abide with you. You may not hear the voice of the one you have loved — but such a one is not far off, only behind the partition. The one so dear to you is under the care of the, same Almighty guardian, beneath the same Almighty wing, as yourself. And such separation as there is, is only for a little while. There is a glad meeting in store for you. Therefore be of good courage. Dry your tears and hope for the coming kingdom. The Lord will appear, and all his saints with Him, and both you and those you mourn, will be forever with the Lord. The saints that enter Heaven,
Only appear to die,
Like stars that shining bright at even
Fade in the morning sky. Their conflicts are all o’er,
Their sorrows past and gone,
They sigh not, weep not, any more;
The fight is fought and won.

They now see face to face,
In God’s own perfect light,
And scan the wondrous depths of grace,
Faith turned to open sight. Could we but glance within
The world where is "no night,"
How should we long to pass from sin,
And end this weary fight!

O happy saints and true,
That are forever blessed,
Would we could pass the veil with You,
And enter into rest!