p. 46 | The Father's Return by A. C. Bourdeaux

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1856

The Father's Return.

By A. C. Bourdeaux

OURS is a happy family! God in his goodness takes pleasure in blessing us abundantly. Yet, as there is nothing perfect or complete in this world, our picture has its shadows, our enjoyments of heart have their thorns. In earthly scenes, we are often separated from "the good Father," whose society would be very precious to us. O, is there anything more painful than absence? and, indeed, is there anything sweeter than the return? What joy that of our traveler causes us! We are preparing for it in advance; and when the day wished for arrives, all our thoughts aim toward that object. The agitation of our little people increases hour by hour; the pendulum is accused of being slow; and our eyes, fixed on the signal of the ship, are searching to discover the flag so long expected. As soon as it appears all our voices are united to ask to hasten the moment of our re-union, in going before the friend so much desired. Neither the fatigue, nor the heat, nor the length of the route, can discourage the children. We fear nothing, say they; que nous importe! We will see our father. Soon they surround him with their affections, and their joy is complete.

Dear brethren, if we are Christ's, we possess the best, the most excellent of Friends—a celestial Friend. He is love: after he had given us all things, he gave himself unto us. Yes, it is with all our hearts that we ought to love him. And do we love him really so?

Separated from him for a short time, do we long for his return? Are thoughts of his coming our sweetest thoughts? Does it above all things rejoice our hearts? Are we preparing for it without ceasing? The coming of our Lord is admitted, it is true, by the Christians of our days; but are there many among them who, having their eyes fixed towards heaven where dwells our Saviour, are in the joyous expectation which the child feels who knows that his father is drawing near?

Dear brethren, are we of that number? Do we support with joy the heat of the day, the fatigue and the thorns of the path, because it leads us to our Lord? Has the last and solemn message, which precedes our re-union, lost for us its sting and its terrors? Can we, in all these things, repeat the cry of triumph. We fear nothing; what's that to us! We will see our Father, and our Lord.

O Lord, forgive! and prepare us thyself for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who will fill with an eternal joy the hearts of his faithful children! Amen.

A. C. BOURDEAUX. West Enosburgh, Vt.