Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

the day in which he found and read the book in the main-top, to the time of my leaving the ship.

Let us then, my discouraged reader, take shame to ourselves for fainting and growing weary in well-doing. Let the instance of this poor reprobate, Robert A., and others hereafter to be produced and illustrated, encourage us to cast our bread upon the waters; fully confident that it will be found in the Lord's good time; that it will be found when it shall most redound to the praise of the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus.

CHAPTER XI.

FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS, NEITHER ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS, SAITH THE LORD FOR AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH, SO ARE MY WAYS HIGHER THAN YOUR WAYS, AND MY THOUGHTS THAN YOUR THOUGHTS." ISAIAH IV. 8, 9.

THERE are few portions of Holy Writ to which my mind turns with more frequency, or with more delight, than to the above, and that in 1 Cor. xiii. 9, 10, 12. "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part, but then I shall know even as also I am known." Indeed, there are seasons when I feel an inexpressible interest in anticipating the fulfilment of the concluding promise, of "knowing even as I am also known;" because my present imperfect vision and limited knowledge but too often gave rise to doubts and fears. Wherever the mind directs its attention, whether to the past, the present, or the future, how many difficulties present themselves, not to be solved by man! A dark cloud rests on much of the divine proceedings in many events which have been, and on many that now are, and pro

bably on many that may continue to take place on earth. We know that the eternal Jehovah works for the glory of his own great Name, as the ultimate end of all his mighty and gracious operations. Yet the wicked often flourish like a green bay tree, and the righteous are cut off. Sin stalks forth with mighty strides, and fills almost the whole earth with its evils. Here and there we discover a plant of grace; but it is not unfrequent that these are removed by a premature and unexpected stroke, just as the blossom is opening, and we are pleasing ourselves with the thought of the harvest of fruits which they will bear to the glory of God and to the good of mankind. Now when we recollect that all hearts are in the Lord's hands, and all events under his control; we cannot help exclaiming, with Elihu and Isaiah, "Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out; for his thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are his ways as our ways,” &c. He works, indeed, on the left hand, but we cannot fathom his intentions: he hideth himself on the right hand, that we cannot see into the arcana of his divine will, or understand the purposes of his infinite wisdom and justice, in many things which he permits or ordains to come to pass.

How delightful, then, to turn to the Bible, and hear this great, this wise, this glorious Being say to us his creatures, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter !" How delightful to think, that, after a few more suns have risen and set, our days of sin and imperfection will be ended; the glass, through which we now see so darkly, removed, and we shall know, even as also we are known!

These thoughts greatly relieved my mind, as I was the other day looking over some letters of a dear departed friend, whose gifts and graces, whose connections and rank in society, and advancement in the divine life, had engaged the attention, and raised the expectations, of all Christians who knew him; but whose premature death has furnished another instance of the short-sightedness of man, and of the mysterious darkness that often envelopes the ways of Him who, "being excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of justice, does nothing in vain."

As the Retrospect has led me to produce a few anecdotes of others, it may not be out of place to bring forward so much of the life and character of this amiable person, as may serve to illustrate the foregoing observations. It will be a pleasing task to pay this small tribute to his memory and it may not be altogether uninteresting to some of my readers, although in giving it, I must continue to speak of and exhibit myself more than is desirable. But the candid reader will see there is no alternative between doing so or maintaining a criminal silence, where the goodness and grace of God call for a certain degree of publicity. I therefore prefer incurring censure for the former, (if censure be due,) rather than condemnation for the latter.

As it is not necessary that my readers should be acquainted with the real name or family connections of my departed friend, I shall speak of him under that of Macarius, and commence my account by observing, that it was not more than a year before I quitted the Cthat I became acquainted with him, and his particular

and truly honourable friend, whom I shall call Eugenius. At that time we all held lieutenant's commissions; but Macarius and Eugenius were on board the commander-in-chief's ship, waiting for, and daily expecting, promotion to the command of a vessel. From the first hour I became known to these young men, I had reason to admire their conduct; standing, as they did, in a very trying situation, and maintaining, as they long had done, a very praiseworthy and interesting part.

The number of officers, and extent of society on board a first-rate ship of war, carrying the flag of a commander-in-chief, is far greater than many of my readers are aware of. This was particularly the case with the one in question. But, out of all the officers who composed the staff, and filled the naval, military, medical, and civil departments, there were none, except Macarius and his friend, who treated religion with respect, unless the total silence and perfect neutrality of a few could be esteemed such. It was frequently the subject of conversation, and as frequently the subject of contempt and ridicule, even at the commander's own table, where men of considerable reading and intellect levelled their raillery and deistical objections at Christianity and serious characters. This was the real and melancholy state of things at the very time when some of these officers were considered serious men by many, who had read their character only in the language of some public orders and official documents. Unhappy men! what does it now avail that your distant and deceived fellowmortals once thought highly either of your public or your moral characters? Ye have, at least most of

you,

« AnteriorContinuar »