Departing and Being with Christ.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE following good illustration of the language of the apostle, expressing his desire to depart and be with Christ, is found in Gillfillan's work on the Sabbath, p. 450. It is given by Rev. John Jamieson of Methven, Scotland. “A man,” says Mr. Gillfillan, “at once of high genius, the most saintly character, and the warmest, tenderest heart.” “For some time before his death, his mind on these occasions turned frequently to the doctrine of the resurrection; and at one time, with the view perhaps of apologizing for this, he spoke nearly as follows:—‘My children, I never like to dwell long on the thought of death; that is a gloomy subject; my mind is always for bounding off to the bright morning of the resurrection; a morning so full of life, and peace, and joy. Ah! that is the morning which will vanquish death, and swallow up in perfect victory all the ill it has ever done to this poor heart of mine, by tearing asunder the finest ties which bound it to the earth, and sending some of our fairest flowers to the dull, cold grave. Why should death hold so many, all their days, in the bondage of its fear? What is it to die, but just to wink and to be with Christ?’ This last thought seemed to dwell in his mind, and to yield him much enjoyment. When, not long before his death, a Christian friend spoke to him rather despondently of the long and weary ages that the body must lie in the grave, he replied in his usual hearty way, ‘It is just to-morrow morning; you will never think the night long when your sleep is sound.’” This eminent minister could understand that, to the utterly unconscious, the period of time from death to the resurrection was as nothing; like a wink of the eye, or like the coming of the morning to one whose sleep is sound. It is evident that he saw no necessity for the modern spiritualistic view, that men go to their reward at death. His mind, like Paul's, was “for bounding off to the bright morning of the resurrection.” Then the crown is to be given. “Henceforth [from the time the earthly course is finished] there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Neither the apostle, nor Mr. Jamieson, looked to death for their reward; but to the resurrection, which should give the victory over death. Yet those whose minds are filled with the idea that the real man escapes death wholly, may still contend that both held the now popular view.