"The Night Seemeth to Usher in the Day."
By H. F. Phelps
In Review No. 2, Vol. xxviii, we find this sentence. It seemed to me to be worthy of a few thoughts. How many a dark night to the Christian has seemed to usher in the morning, the bright morning of deliverance. Dark nights of toil, of sorrow, of temptation and deep anguish, have ever been succeeded by, and have ushered in, the morning. That dark night of temptation in the wilderness did but usher in the morning which manifested the love of God, as he said, "This is my beloved Son; hear ye him." That was a dark night of trouble and sorrow, as the disciples saw their beloved Master taken by a wicked mob, insulted, and derided in every possible manner, and finally shamefully crucified between two thieves, and laid in the grave. Ah! was it not a dark night? but it was soon followed by that bright morning when Jesus rose a mighty conqueror, and triumphed over death and the grave. Joy unspeakable filled the hearts of the disciples as they saw the form of him "whom they supposed should have redeemed Israel" safely restored to them. As words of comfort fell from his lips, their courage was again revived, light succeeded the darkness. The dark clouds were riven asunder, and they covenanted anew, methinks, to live and die in the cause of him who had died for them. Dark indeed was that night of 1260 years of terrible persecution through which the people of God passed; but the bright morning of the Reformation soon followed. Christianity spread her fair wings, and light from the throne seemed to burst over the world. We follow the history of the people of God down through the various changes through which they passed, and we find that ever and anon the smiles and blessings of God would burst through the gloomy clouds to cheer the hearts of those who held on by faith. But we leave the past, and come to our own day. Dark was the time when the war threatened to drag us into the dreadful conflict; but God signally heard and answered the prayers of his people. The bright sun shone over our heads, as peace with her balmy wings seemed to hover over our land. We expected to see the church rise, and with it come the loud cry of the third angel; but ah! how disappointed! But the message could not go only as it went right. We were not right. We were lukewarm, unfit to be intrusted with the last message of mercy to the world. The afflicting hand of God has been laid upon us heavily. The messengers were afflicted and compelled to quit the field. Our enemies were before and behind. But brethren, let us cheer up, a bright morning is before us, if we continue to humble ourselves, confess and forsake our sins. God will work for us. He is mighty to save. His arm is not yet shortened, nor his ear heavy. Mercy still lingers. Oh, let us embrace it. Darker nights are before us than we have yet seen; but "as thy day, thy strength shall be." Soon will come the bright morning of the resurrection, when the saints will be ushered into their eternal inheritance. Reader, may this be our happy lot, is my prayer.