p. 134 | THE HOME CIRCLE

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 2, 1878

THE HOME CIRCLE.

He Will Soon Be Here.

AFTER a long day's journey, I arrived at the house of some relatives in Wales, who had invited me to spend Christmas with them. After the first greetings had been exchanged, I said: "But I don't see my dear Ruthie."

"No, aunt," one of the children answered, "Ruth is obliged to be out this evening; and she wants to have you all to herself at first, because she has some news that nobody else is to tell you."

Ruth, the eldest daughter, had been for some time betrothed to a gentleman holding a civil post in India, whither soon after their engagement, he had been compelled to return. At the time of which I am speaking, there was every probability of his being able to revisit England in a few months, and claim his betrothed; but when last I heard from Ruth, the time for his coming was still unsettled. I at once guessed that her good news had reference to this matter; nor was I mistaken. Soon after I had retired for the night, there came a gentle tap at my bedroom door, and Ruth entered; there was a light in her eyes, a joyous elasticity in her step.

"Auntie," she cried, as she embraced me, "they haven't told you?"

"No, darling; only that you have some thing to tell."

So, making me sit down by the fire, she told me, with a happy blushing face, while she drew a letter from her pocket, that Herbert had written to say he would be home from India the following February. "He must almost have started before I got this," she said. "Oh, auntie, I can hardly believe it for joy!"

After congratulating her most cordially, I said:—

"But, dear Ruth, if he has started by this time, he will be home before February."

"No, aunty, I was going to tell you; there is one little drawback; he says he hasn't been quite well, and though he is really all right now, he is so strongly advised to come by the long sea voyage, that he has made up his mind to do so."

I thought this was not the time to remind my niece of the uncertainty of earthly things. We cannot prepare our loved ones for the darkness through which God may purpose to lead them, by casting over the sunshine he sends, the shadow of our misgivings. I therefore only expressed my ardent wishes for the loved one's safe arrival.

When Ruth had left me, I sat thinking how much gladness there should be in the lives, by the very faces, of those who are looking for the coming of the heavenly Bridegroom. Could there be, I asked myself, a surer test of our affections toward the Lord Jesus, than our feelings about his personal return?

Every day's intercourse with my niece taught me, in some new and practical way, how the thought of our Lord's appearing should regulate our present aims and occupations—should influence our views concerning the possessions, privations, joys, and sorrows of this transitory life.

I noticed she was less with the family circle than formerly; and one day I went to seek her in her room. There I found her sitting at a table which was covered with books; she was reading a large volume, and busily making notes from it.

"This is a new sort of occupation for you, my dear," I remarked.

"Yes, aunt, but you see Herbert is so clever, I don't want him to find me very ignorant, so I am studying history two hours a day. And as he said something in his last letter, about going on the continent after our wedding, I want to get up my French and German."

Again, one afternoon there was to be a shopping expedition to the neighboring town, and Ruth's mother and sister were busily engaged making a list of what they wanted. "Now, Ruth," her mother asked, "what can I do for you?"

"Nothing, thank you, mamma. It is not worth while now. I must think about my outfit next month, as Herbert will soon be here."

Shortly before Christmas, an invitation was received for as many of the family as could go to an entertainment given by a gentleman and lady who had lately settled in the neighborhood. It was accepted; but the carriage room was limited, and Ruth, hearing herself mentioned among those who must certainly be of the party, said it would be a great pity she should keep any one else from going. "You see, papa," she said, "it is of more consequence the others should make acquaintance with these people, as I am so soon going away."

On another occasion I heard some young friends ask her if she had heard anything about the house of Peshawur where she was to live. "Hardly anything," she answered. "I know Herbert has been preparing it for a long time; but he has scarcely told me anything about it but that it seems lonely to him; and I," she added, in a lower tone, "have scarcely thought anything about it, except that he will be there."

But, alas! Herbert never came home for his betrothed. The indisposition of which he had made light, deceiving himself for her dear sake, rapidly increased; and at length, all hope of recovery being at an end, he started for England in the hope of at least dying amidst his loved ones. But even this wish was not fulfilled; he breathed his last on board ship, before the voyage was over.

Many years have passed since then. After a time it pleased God to heal my young niece's sorrow; and although that tie was painfully sundered, she is now a happy, middle aged wife and mother.

But the impression left upon my mind by her earnest looking for her expected bridegroom has never been effaced; and, to this hour, when the things of this passing life threaten to assume an undue importance, I recall Ruth's oft-repeated words, "It is not worth while, when he will so soon be here;" and I strive to bring the glory of the coming again, in his glorious majesty, of "that great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ," to bear on all the interest of time; to keep me sober in its joys, and content in its sorrows; and to be careful for nothing because "the Lord is at hand."

And many a time, when I have felt a longing for more definite information regarding the promised land, the better country whence the Lord Jesus will return to receive us unto himself, I have remembered Ruth's simple words with respect to her unknown dwelling-place in India, and rested my heart on the blessed thought, "He who loves me with an everlasting love is preparing a mansion for me there; his happiness is not complete without the presence of his redeemed ones; and neither can there, in this case, be any disappointed hopes; for the heavenly Bridegroom ever lives; and his precious promise to all who look for and long for and 'love his appearing' is, 'I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.' And 'surely I come quickly.'"

Oh, that each reader would heartily respond to this blessed assurance, "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus."—English Tract.