The Seen and the Unseen.
By Nellie F. Heald
INSPIRATION tells us that the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. If we look only at the things which are seen, it is not strange that our spirits droop in sadness, that even faith’s bright wings trail in the dust, as with tearful eyes we question, Why all this suffering and sorrow? Why are our hopes so often crushed—our aspirations unfulfilled? Does not our life at times appear a failure? Why is it given only to flourish its little hour, so brief, and then cut off like a delicate flower, swept by some chilling blast? When death has stilled the beating of some loving heart, silenced the voice heard only in tones of affection and kindly counsel, and a friend, lovely and beloved, is laid low in dreamless slumber, then the bereaved and bleeding heart questions, Why was it permitted? With our short vision, we oftimes fail to penetrate the cloud that hides from us our pitying Lord, who “doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men.” Oh! who does not long to have these things which now seem so dark and mysterious made clear in the light of the unseen and eternal? Sickness, suffering, and sorrow, meet us on every hand. No position, however exalted, is exempt; no pathway but has its thorns; no household so carefully guarded but sorrow and death may enter its charmed inclosure; no heart so happy but it has its bitterness. All that is seen, is smitten with the curse, marred by imperfection. The clearest mind sees only through a glass darkly; the purest heart is not without spot; the fairest and loveliest things of earth are doomed to decay. Passing away is written upon all things earthly. But amid the passing away of that which is seen, we may rejoice in the assurance that the unseen is eternal. Treasures in Heaven and joys immortal shall never pass away. In those heavenly gardens where angels walk, no flowers shall fade. All is perfect and eternal there. But nothing here is sure. Do we enjoy the sweet blessings of Heaven to-day? We may to-morrow struggle with the powers of darkness. Are we happy in the love of friends to-day? To-morrow we may weep over the lifeless form. Does that which is seen satisfy us? Ah, no! If that which is seen is all upon which we can build our hopes, then life is indeed a failure and our hopes a mockery. But we know there is a foundation infinitely better and more exalted than the transient things of earth upon which to build our hopes. We know there is reality in the unseen. We need not be of a doubtful mind. Evidence sufficient has been given both in the book of nature and revelation to satisfy the intelligent mind. And what consolation, what dignity and elevation of mind, what incentives to purity of life, does he lose who doubts the reality of the unseen? And more than this, he is in danger of losing an eternity of blessedness. But how many are vainly seeking satisfaction in that which is seen, building upon the sandy foundation of earthly things. By their actions, if not by words, they signify their indifference to the unseen and their preference for that which passes away. Oh! that they might see their sad mistake ere it is too late. As Christians, we look too much at the things which are seen. We are too deeply absorbed in things temporal, and our eyes are blinded to the glories of the unseen and eternal. We must strive more earnestly to set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for “the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” NELLIE F. HEALD.