Reader, turn aside and see this
great sight, William Thosby, Footprints on the Sands of Time,
1869. When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you, Isaiah 43, 2. John Bunyan writes
in his Pilgrim's Progress, Now I further saw that between the
pilgrims and the gate of the celestial city was a river, but
there was no bridge to go over, and the river was very deep.
At the sight of this river, the pilgrims were much stunned, but
those who went with him said, You must go through, or you cannot
come to the gate. The pilgrims then began to despond
in their minds, and looked this way and that, but no way could
be found by them by which they might escape the river. How true
and touching is this description! There is no way from this world
to the Celestial City but through the River of Death. Whether men
go to eternal glory or to eternal gloom, they have to ford its
depths. There is no way of reaching the
celestial city without crossing the narrow stream of death. When
the summons for our departure arrives, we must enter the deep
dark waters. None can disregard the call,
nor choose any other mode of transit. But it is given to the
Christian pilgrim to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd sounding,
like sweet music, in the intervals of the storm. It is I, do not
be afraid. Jesus may allow you to hear some
touches of richest music and feel some waftings of balmiest
air. It has even seemed to some of
the pilgrims that their very names were called, and then,
with new thrillings of the inner sense, they have joyfully answered,
We are coming, we are coming home. But as we near the banks
of the river, the prospect of parting with beloved relatives
and friends is sometimes deeply affecting. It was a touching
scene in ancient Israel, when all the congregation saw that
Aaron was dead. They mourned for him thirty days.
Oh, there is a luxury in tears. The tears of tenderness are the
jewelry of our humanity. The man who never sheds a tear
is by no means to be envied. Have we not heard of the weeping
Savior? Reader, turn aside and see this
great sight, the Creator of all worlds in tears." Jesus wept. John 11, 35. and those tears
formed one of the most touching episodes in his sacred story. Looking along the line of coming
years, the Savior had before Him the believing bereaved of
all ages, a picture gallery of the world's aching hearts, a
far and wide spread view of all the deserted chambers, vacant
seats, and open graves down to the end of time. Therefore, weeping
believer, your anguished heart was included in the Saviour's
teardrops. Shudder not to pass the stream,
Venture all your care on him, Him whose dying love and power
Stilled its tossing, hushed its roar. Not one object of his care
Ever suffered shipwreck there. See the haven full in view, Love
divine shall bear you through.