“WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT?”
By J. W. Scoles
As the faithful prophet of God many years ago looked forward and beheld the closing scenes of this world’s history, this question was asked, “Watchman, what of the night?” And the answer given was of such a character as to thrill with gladness the hearts of those who wait to-day with almost bated breath, to see the ushering in of the reign of their King. “The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night.” But while the coming day will bring gladness to those who are waiting for their Lord, what sadness, oh, what sadness will be the portion of those who are unprepared. The half-hearted Christian, the worldly professor, the back-slider at heart, these will be among the unbelieving, to be cast forth into outer darkness. And how will it fare with thee, careless, thoughtless one, walking on, perhaps, in open violation of the claims of God upon you? While mercy still is pleading, and pardon may be found, are you yet abusing the tender kindness and long-suffering love of your best Friend? Remember that the morning cometh, but “also the night.” And what a blackness of darkness that night will be to you if you cannot claim Christ as your Saviour! Perhaps you cannot realize this now, intoxicated with the whirl of life, and blinded to your own best interests by the dazzling but deceptive light placed before your eyes by the prince of darkness; but the time is coming, and coming soon, when these things will be realized with awful vividness, and to many it will come, alas, too late! The brief day of pleasure you have enjoyed here will suddenly darken, as the clouds of God’s wrath come upon you. Delay not to seek his favor while yet he may be found. As ambassadors for Christ, we beseech you, be ye reconciled to God. The shadows are falling fast, the day of grace is soon to close. The night cometh. But while this is true, it is also true that the morning cometh for the weary, waiting ones. The day of deliverance for God’s people is soon to dawn. And what joy should fill our souls as we realize that the long, dark night of our pilgrimage is so nearly spent. See! the shadows are already beginning to break away, and the mountain-tops are aglow with the rapidly increasing light of the coming dawn. Brother, are you weary with your load? Do difficulties beset your path? Look up! Lift your eyes toward the hills from whence our help cometh. The precious light of truth is falling around you on every side. Walk in it, rejoice in it, and press forward toward the approaching day. Behold, the morning cometh!