THE EYES OPENED by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1859

THE EYES OPENED.

By Editor

"LORD, open his eyes, that he may see," was the prayer offered by Elisha the prophet, when his servant, as they were encompassed by the Syrian host, cried out, "Alas, master, what shall we do?" And the answer is recorded; "The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." You, reader, are encompassed about by a multitude of unseen objects far more wonderful and worthy of regard. The objects around you are of such magnitude, and such interest to you, that if your eyes were opened to see them just as they are, this world, with all its attractions and absorbing concerns, would fade from your view.

fold, in willing yet fatal captivity, down to the chains and darkness of their everlasting prison.

You would see "an innumerable company of angels" performing a great variety of most important offices, and standing, some of them at least, in the most intimate and interesting relations to you: the swift messengers and mighty ministers of God's throne; the constant attendants of Christ's person, and the glad agents in his kingdom of love and mercy; the guardians of Christians in their earthly footsteps, and their representatives in the court of heaven; the vigilant and affectionate friends of sinners, watching with deep solicitude their continued impenitence, or their increasing convictions; and when one of them repents hastening to communicate the tidings to their kindred spirits, and diffuse through all the heavenly host the seraphic joy which this happy event enkindles in their own bosoms.

You would see great numbers of evil spirits plotting ceaseless mischief against our race, and exulting in the too successful execution of their malicious schemes, prowling about the earth, like roaring lions, seeking whom they may devour; besieging many a human heart, intrenching themselves in many more, and leading the great mass of mankind, yourself perhaps among the rest, bound and blind-

You would see God every where present, all-knowing and all-controlling. Angels, and all holy creatures, are but the happy agents of his infinite benevolence. Evil spirits are his unwilling instruments. You can no more flee from him than from the universe, than from yourself. In the sublime language of Scripture, you "live, and move, and have your being in him." Do you not feel his hand holding you? Do you not see his eye fastened on your heart? Does it beam with sweet complacency on your humble and growing piety? There is heaven in that look of love. Does it flash with holy indignation on your unrepented and cherished sins? That frown of displeasure is hell. You may close your eyes against it now, but if you continue impenitent, you must one day see it, and it will kindle in your bosom the flames of the bottomless pit.

You would see CHRIST knocking at the door of your heart for admission, or interceding in your behalf at the right hand of the throne of God. He himself says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me." Behold him at the door of your heart, knocking and waiting for an answer, his locks wet with the dew of the morning, his feet bedewed with precious blood; one hand pointing to Gethsemane and Calvary, the other laden with the blessings which he purchased there, and would now bestow on you, and his eyes lifted to heaven as the place of your future reward. Oh, lovely attitude; can you turn your back upon the sight?

Backsliding Christian, he knocks at the door of your heart, and with beseeching tenderness inquires, Will you also go away? Lukewarm professor, he stands before you, and methinks I hear him exclaim, "Crucified afresh; wounded in the house of my friends." Have you, in the hour of temptation, denied your Lord for a few paltry pieces of silver, or a few empty puffs of honor? He turns his eye upon you, with a look of unutterable compassion and love. That look made Peter "weep bitterly." Would that it might affect you in like manner. Art thou a consistent and devoted follower of Christ? All unworthy as thou art, rebel as thou hast been, he intercedes for you with his Father, that you may share with him his universal inheritance and his everlasting kingdom. Behold the gracious attitude of the divine Intercessor. Listen to his accents of love and mercy. Do they not fill your soul with wonder, gratitude, and joy?

You would see the Holy Spirit carrying forward his work of renovating and saving grace in our fallen world. This heavenly monitor comes often to the sinful soul in all the severity of wisdom and goodness, warning, striving, alarming, convincing, by arguments drawn from heaven, earth, and hell, and persuading by the more melting eloquence of a Saviour's prayers, and tears, and blood. He has often made you these gracious visits; and did you repulse him? Did he go away grieved? How could you grieve your best Friend? How could you grieve infinite love and mercy? How dared you resist the only influence that can save your ruined soul? Or did you comply with his convincing and persuasive influence, and give him free admittance to your heart? Then your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and your spirit his inner sanctuary. Then he rejoices while he imparts to you the joys of salvation, and prepares you for the perfect bliss of heaven. Will you mar at once his joy and yours by defiling the temple of the Holy Ghost?

You would see death near; perhaps at hand. I seem to see, in near prospect, your dying bed. Yes, yours. Call it not another's; it will be your own. Death enters your chamber an unexpected visitor, and finds you unprepared. You turn pale; your lips quiver; your frame is convulsed, and you expire with despair on your countenance and remorse in your conscience.

You would have a near view of judgment and eternity. Look forward but a little space, and what do you see? The heavens and the earth have fled away. The Judge has come invested with infinite majesty and glory, and attended by a countless host of angels. He has taken his seat on the great white throne, opened the books of final account, and gathered all nations before him; and they are judged out of the things written in the books.

Are these things indeed so? What manner of person, then, ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness? You stand on holy ground; the air you breathe is holy; spirits from another world are about you, intent upon your weal or woe. You have your being in God, your almighty friend or enemy. The blessed Saviour woes your love, or intercedes in your behalf. The Holy Spirit strives with you or dwells in you. Death may have already marked you for his victim. The judgment-day is at hand; your next step may be into eternity. Heaven stands with open gates for you to enter. Hell yawns to receive you. And does such a being live only to occupy himself with the trifles of this fleeting world? How can you remain unconcerned about the salvation of your soul, when all the high orders of intelligent spirits are awake to its momentous interests? The Lord open your eyes to behold as much of the unseen world as you can bear, lest at length it burst upon you with sudden overwhelming terrors.—Rel. Tract.