The Ministry of Angels.
By Nellie F. Heald
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Is not this a thought to awaken the deepest emotions of the soul? Joy among the angels! those pure and sinless beings, whose shining beauty has never been dimmed by a single stain; before whose dazzling brightness, men have fallen as if dead. At the glad tidings of one repenting sinner, those bright, angelic hosts rejoice. Methinks they sing in louder, sweeter strains to the praise of Him who hath bought us with his blood. And is all Heaven so interested in our salvation? Surely, we may be of good cheer; since they that be for us far exceed those that are against us. Though the foe that seeks our destruction is strong and artful, yet Christ and the heavenly angels are stronger. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” The heavenly angels are trying to aid us in the arduous work of overcoming and fitting for Heaven. And, shall we be negligent or indifferent, when angels of light are swiftly flying on wings of love to strengthen and encourage us? Shall we yield to despair with such glorious aid? These heavenly messengers will not compel us to yield to their influence. They are grieved away when we are careless and indifferent. They shun the society of the worldly and pleasure-seeking, and abide with those only who cherish their holy influence. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Many are the instances recorded in the Bible in which the angels appeared to fallen man. They are God’s ministers, to execute his will. They “do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Angels of God met Jacob as he went on his way to meet Esau; and when Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s host.” At the birth of Christ, an angel appeared to the shepherds of Bethlehem as they watched their flocks by night. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” In what seraphic strains did those angelic minstrels herald the birth of the infant Saviour. How it must have thrilled the hearts of those humble shepherds as they gazed in trembling adoration, and listened to the rapturous melody of the white-robed throng. Angels heralded the first advent of the Saviour. In their sweet anthems of praise they manifested their deep interest in man’s salvation. In the Saviour’s second advent, the angels will also take part, for we read, “The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him.” Oh! who shall be able to stand? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. Our words, our thoughts, and actions, should all be viewed in reference to that event; for we are assured that a faithful record is kept. We are under the watchcare of holy angels. Every word and act is carefully noted by them. Did we fully realize this, we would not be so careless. O my soul, how does thy record appear in the gaze of Heaven—that record so stained by selfishness and sin? Well may we weep in view of our sins against Heaven and its matchless love. We should shrink from having our dear earthly friends read all our thoughts and motives, but do we realize that these stand revealed to the gaze of angels and of God? How carefully should we guard our thoughts, since from them emanate our words and acts. “Beware of thoughts! they whisper to the Heavens;
Though mute to thee, they prompt the diamond pen
Of the recording angel.
Make them friends!
Those dread, seedplanters for eternity,
Those sky-reporting heralds,
Make them friends!”