01.09. CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
"In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence — and His children shall have a place of refuge." How gracious is the assurance; how full is the promise! "Confidence," in One who will never disappoint! "A place of refuge," where storm and tempest can never enter! His redeemed children are those over whom the shield of His protecting providence is ever thrown, to guard them from every danger. They are the objects of His peculiar care, and in whose sorrow He sympathizes with a father’s heart. Surely, we may well "comfort one another with these words," and, peacefully confiding in that faithful guidance which will not fail to lead us aright, may "go on our way rejoicing!" At present, many things seem mysterious and perplexing. There are many problems which we cannot solve — many questions to which we can only reply, that, as yet, we "know but in part." But in the full light of that hereafter glory which awaits us, we shall see that every step in our path has conducted towards the "City of habitation" — that every link in the chain of life has been one of infinite mercy. The discipline of daily life, with all its varied experience of shade and sunshine — forms the training which is to render us fit for the abode of perfect purity and peace. The living stone must here be hewn and polished for the place which it is designed to fill in the heavenly temple — since no sound of axe or hammer is to be heard therein. And, if the engraver’s tool seems sometimes to cut into the very life, let us remember what it is preparing us for, and quiet ourselves with the assurance that the great Master-builder will not inflict one unnecessary stroke.
Even as this present life is the time of training for an eternal future — so, also, the early part of it is a course of preparation for that which is to follow. The trials of youth, with its strong feelings, its quick impulses, its unsubdued will — are fitting us to endure those yet heavier sorrows which await us in maturer years. Those feelings must be restrained and regulated; those impulses must be placed under the control of a governing principle; that strong will must be tamed and broken — or future days will bring with them a burden, well-near crushing in its weight!
When, by early trial, we have been taught the "secret of enduring strength" — when we have exchanged our weapons of rebellion, for the Savior’s light and easy yoke — we are enabled to receive, with submission, from our Father’s hand, the cross which He sees it needful we should bear. We can then feel that unerring Wisdom can choose for us, infinitely better than we could do for ourselves; and say, even though with quivering lip and tearful eye, "Not my will — but may Your will be done." When the fever of life is over, and the quiet light of eventide sheds its mild radiance around us; when we walk by the brink of the dark river, and see, by the eye of faith, the "shining ones" on the other side — we shall look back, oh, how gratefully! upon all the way by which the Lord our God has led us through this earthly wilderness, and bless Him most for that which once seemed hardest to bear. We shall "set to our seal" to every promise; and acknowledge that "not one thing has failed" of all that the "Faithful and True Witness" has spoken concerning us! And how much more, when the shadows have fled, and the mists have dispersed, beneath the clear shining of that Sun which shall go down no more forever! Be patient, then, dear reader, alike in suffering and in service. Both will soon be ended — for, behold, the "Bridegroom is at the door!" Are you ready, watching, waiting — whenever the midnight summons shall be heard? Are your loins girded? Is your lamp burning? Are you prepared to join in the exulting cry with which a waiting church shall welcome back her long-loved Lord, "Lo, this is our God! We have waited for Him, and He will save us! This is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
Remember, the Word is as sure, as the God who has uttered it is true. He must come suddenly; He may come soon. By all the terrors of that last great day, when the "heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, when the earth, also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up" — we would, once more, affectionately entreat you to give all diligence in making your "calling and election sure;" so that, whether you are summoned by death into the presence of God — or, with your bodily eyes see Him come in clouds of glory, you may equally be able to say:
"Jesus, Your blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head!" Do not think that your present position is without responsibilities. "The young ladies of the present generation," says a living writer, "seem to pass in review before me, with all their privileges, and in all their grace and beauty. Let them not feel that they have only to seek embellishment, to sip from the honey-cup of life, or to glitter like the meteor in a summer’s eve. For, as surely as the safety and prosperity of a nation depend on the virtue of its people — those who reign in the retreats where man turns for his comfort, who have power over the machinery which stamps on the infant mind its character of good or evil — are responsible, to a fearful extent, for that safety and prosperity." And more solemn than any other, is the thought, that when nations shall have ceased to be, and all that now seems great and noble shall have vanished like the shadow of a dream — the consequences of our smallest actions will remain, to gather in an eternal harvest of happiness or woe. Which shall it be? Shall we "sow to the flesh — and from the flesh reap corruption?" Or, shall we "sow to the Spirit — and from the Spirit reap life everlasting?"