The Angel of Mercy by S. Elmer

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1859

The Angel of Mercy.

By S. Elmer

She comes in the hour of deepest trial; when worn by care and anxieties, beset with temptations and the numerous ills of this changing life, then she comes to strengthen and console the sorrow-stricken. Then hope springs up anew, and joy and gratitude fills the heart as she whispers cheering promises: “My grace is sufficient for you;” “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out;” “The Lord hath not forsaken those that seek him;” Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee” &c.

Again we behold her bending over the couch of pain. She moistens the parched lips, and wipes the cold sweat from the brow of the dying christian. She points him to that bright morn when he shall burst his clayey tenement, and, blooming with health and immortal beauty, ascend with all the redeemed to the paradise of God. Then she turns to comfort the mourner. She mourns with those that mourn, and weeps with those that weep. She bids them look forward to that bright world where no sickness, pain or sorrow shall ever come; assures them that if faithful, they shall soon meet to part no more.

But it would be utterly impossible to count the blessings that have been bestowed upon our race by this celestial being. Ever since the creation down through the lapse of near six thousand years has she been striving with and beseeching mankind to turn and live; and many have been the means she has devised for their good. But alas! for fallen man, pride and selfishness have marked his course, and often have his hands been stained with the blood of the innocent, while he has rejected all claims to proffered mercy. It was by her kind interposition that the Saviour was moved to lay aside his glory and come into this lower world to suffer for guilty man.

How oft the poor sinner, when realizing his lost condition and almost ready to despair, casts a wishful look to Calvary, and there beholds a compassionate Saviour, expiring in dreadful agony. As he views the affecting scene, he sees on the cross inscribed in living characters, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world;” and as he reads the comforting promise, “The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin,” light springs up in his heart, and he goes on his way rejoicing.

We have been speaking of what mercy has done; we now speak of what she is doing. Commissioned from on high, she is now conveying the last solemn message to mankind—a message which must decide the fate of thousands. Here mercy and truth have met together. As truth moves onward, like a cherub of light she dispels darkness. Error gives way and truth triumphs.

This is a fearful and soul-stirring message, and those who do not heed it must soon drink the unmixed wrath of Jehovah. Time is now closing. The last lingering hours of probation are fast waning away. How solemn the passing moments! Men may scoff now as they did in the days before the flood; but as it was then so it is now. Their day is coming. Already the storm is gathering. The pent up elements will soon burst with redoubled fury, the heavens will gather blackness, the bursting thunders will roll through the concave of heaven, the forked lightnings will gleam through the earth, the earth itself will rock to and fro, and with convulsive throes shake to its center, while all around will be one scene of terror, devastation and ruin. Then haste thee, sinner, ere justice overtakes thee and seals thy doom. Soon the sweet voice of mercy will cease to call. Yet now through the gathering gloom appears a ray of light and her angel form is seen beckoning you upward. Then follow her and find a shelter from the coming wrath. Then you will be safe, and trusting in God, you can smile at the warring elements without.

S. ELMER.

Ashfield, Mass.