十月四日
到了晚上才有光明。（亚14：7）
我们常用悲苦的眼光往前看我们的晚年，忘记到了晚上才有光明。有很多圣徒一生当中最好的时代乃是老年的时候。当水手到达永生的岸边时必有和风吹拂他的面颊，海中的波浪也少了，虽然下临深渊，但仍平静异常。他老年的坛上已不再有青年时代的熊熊而烈烈的火花，但仍存留着纯青而热诚的火焰。当他进入那美地、那乐土时，简直是在地如天。那里有天使服役，有灵风熏陶，有乐园的奇花，有撒拉弗的歌声。有的人在这里居留的年份多些，有的只有几小时就离开了，但那是地上的伊甸。我们当渴慕早日投到它的荫下，等到果子成熟，我们的盼望就得心满意足。落日比正午时更大，当它西下之时云霞千缕，金光万道，齐来簇拥着它。苦痛不能伤损暮年的平静和甜美，因爲软弱时必有完全的力量忍受那一切，生命到了夜晚之时必饱餐上好经验的佳果，灵魂也准备享受安息。
主的民也必在死时享受光明。不信的人悲哀万状，阴影降临；黑夜来到，生命告终。信的人却不是这样，黑夜快要度完，真正的白昼就在眼前。光，永生的光，天父慈面的恩光已经来到了。在你的床上抬起腿来吧！看那迎接你的衆圣！天使护送你。亲爱的，再会吧！你去了，你在招手。啊！现在光明已经来到。珠门大开，黄金街在碧玉光中光彩夺目。我们合上眼睛，但你能看到所不能看到的；再会吧！弟兄，你在晚上有了光明，这是我们现在所没有的。
October
4
“At
evening time it shall be light.”–Zechariah 14:7
Oftentimes we look forward with
forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be
light. To many saints, old age is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier
air fans the mariner’s cheek as he nears the shore of immortality, fewer waves
ruffle his sea, quiet reigns, deep, still and solemn. From the altar of age the
flashes of the fire of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest
feeling remains. The pilgrims have reached the land Beulah, that happy country,
whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, celestial
gales blow over it, flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with
seraphic music. Some dwell here for years, and others come to it but a few
hours before their departure, but it is an Eden on earth. We may well long for
the time when we shall recline in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope
until the time of fruition comes. The setting sun seems larger than when aloft
in the sky, and a splendour of glory tinges all the clouds which surround his
going down. Pain breaks not the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength
made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of
choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life’s evening, and the soul
prepares itself for rest.
The Lord’s people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief
laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no,
crieth faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come, the
light of immortality, the light of a Father’s countenance. Gather up thy feet
in the bed, see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft thee away. Farewell,
beloved one, thou art gone, thou wavest thine hand. Ah, now it is light. The
pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper light. We cover
our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen; adieu, brother, thou hast light at
even-tide, such as we have not yet.
