PEN PICTURES by William P. Pearce

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1900

PEN PICTURES.

By William P. Pearce

WILLIAM P. PEARCE.

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh.” Matt. 25 : 6. Without an exception, the most comforting doctrine of the New Testament is the coming of Jesus. In its pages no fewer than three hundred and eighteen references are made to it, while an average of one verse in every twenty-five deals with it.

The other day I called upon a white-haired physician. In the course of my remarks, I asked, “How old are you?” “Eighty-eight years,” he answered. “You are a Christian, are you not?” “Yes, sir,” he replied; “and for over fifty years I have not retired till after the midnight hour, but prayerfully and patiently have waited and looked for the coming Christ.” Think of it! For a half-century this saint of God has not given sleep to his eyelids, nor allowed his practice to interfere with his midnight watching for Jesus. Glorious disposition! Beautiful hope! Rare faithfulness and devotion! I know somewhat of how he would treat Jesus if he came to-night, from the fact that when I told him I was looking for that same Jesus, he embraced and kissed me.

“Behold the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, And blest is he whose loins are girt, whose lamp is burning bright.” Thank God, thank God, the Man is found, Sure-footed, knowing well the ground; He knows the road, for this the way He traveled once, as on this day. He is our messenger beside, He is our door and path and guide. —J. R. Miller, D. D.