THE NIGHT COMETH by H. L. H.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 1, 1859

"THE NIGHT COMETH."

By H. L. H.

How full of instruction are the discourses of the Saviour! He truly "spake as never man spake." This is instanced in the portion of scripture at the head of this page. Christ had condescended to give a reason why he would open the eyes of the blind man, whom he had just seen and graciously noticed. He had a work to accomplish. The period he had assigned to himself in which to effect that work was so limited that he calls it a "day"—only a "day"—"the day;" and consequently night or the time for cessation from labor, would soon arrive.

"The night cometh." How comprehensive is this language! Here the duty of active exertion and obligation to improve present opportunities for usefulness, are urged upon us in one sentence—"while it is day;" and the sin of neglect, and the danger of delay, exhibited to us in these three words—"the night cometh."

And did our Lord, whose existence was eternal—"who has neither beginning nor ending of days"—deem it wise to economize time? Did he deem it right to improve present opportunities—not to lose moments—and to do good, because periods were approaching when times and seasons for labor would cease? How much more should we, who are only the creatures of a day—whose longest life, at the utmost, is but brief—and whose opportunities for usefulness must soon, very soon, be closed by the night of death, of darkness, and the grave;—"THE NIGHT COMETH!"

From these admonitory words I might urge many solemn and weighty considerations upon the scholar and student; saying to them—Increase your mental stores, and like the wise man, be earnest "to know, to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things,"—for "the night cometh" when thought, and time, and life itself will cease. I might exhort the young man, just setting out in life to "redeem the time,"—to be "not slothful in business"—to rise up early and sit up late, and eat the bread of carefulness;" because the night rapidly cometh when age and infirmities will creep on, and "the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." I might admonish "the lover of pleasure more than the lover of God," and say to him, if you will pursue the bubble joy, and drink the poisoned stream of sin, and hurry on your reckless course, remember "the night cometh," when the voice of inspiration will sound in your unwilling ears—"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement!"

There is scarcely a pursuit or object in life but may be better done to-day than to-morrow. Promptness, activity, and decision, seldom induce regret, while delay is often the precursor to ruin. It does not admit of a doubt that in everything relating to the soul of man—to the fearful and solemn realities of a future state—that "delay is always dangerous," when life, as compared with eternity, is not even a day;—"For what is your life? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away,"—"a little spot of time between two eternities," followed by an endless night—to some, perhaps just at hand; for to-night—yes! to-night, God may say to you, "This night thy soul shall be required of thee!" The saint waits for his change, but the sinner has his soul "required" of him.

There are three classes of persons to whom I am specially anxious to be rendered useful, by presenting the solemn Scripture, so often quoted in these pages, to their consideration.

I. TO CHRISTIANS, TO INDUCE THEM TO MORE ACTIVITY AND ZEAL.

"I must work while it is day," said Jesus. Christian! behold your exemplar. What! the Master work, and the servant remain idle? How inconsistent! You blush at the thought;—then, as preparative to your usefulness and success, let me entreat you,—

1. To secure in the day of opportunity, a well grounded hope of your personal salvation. Seek not only to be safe, but to know you are safe—"Christ in you the hope of glory." With intense earnestness, plead with God, and cry—"Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation;"—that this may be your rejoicing—"I know in whom I have believed." See to it that you possess clear, scriptural views of divine truth; that your faith be genuine, your experience scriptural and your practice holy. Thus you will become "established in the truth,"—will "grow in grace,"—will "glorify your Saviour;" and to you the approach of the night of death will be divested of its gloom; for you will be enabled to say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and be "made meet" to enter "the inheritance of the saints in light," where— > All o'er these wide extended plains, > Shines one eternal day; > There God the sun forever reigns, > And scatters night away.

2. Let christians be intensely anxious to do the work of christians. "Ye are children of the day;" then your work should bear the light of day. This consists of a full and bright exhibition of the christian character, in all its aspects—in all its demands—in all its high responsibilities;—"let your light so shine before men." The proper work of christians is the extension of christianity; the adding to the "cloud of witnesses;" the diminution of the number of the sons of darkness; the accession of gems to the Redeemer's crown. It is to be imbued with holy, untiring anxiety, to rescue beings like themselves from going down to the pit; and because "the time is short," to devote every power, consecrate every talent, devise every means, employ every resource to "save souls from death,"—constantly to remember that men are always perishing; that therefore we should be always laboring; that the season for activity and usefulness is circumscribed; and that ere long the night will come;—it is coming when our tongues shall be silent—our hands motionless—and our heart pulseless—"for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest."

II. Let this solemn declaration of the Saviour INDUCE PROFESSORS TO IMMEDIATE AND UNRESERVED DECISION IN RELIGION.

There are those who know the way to heaven, by the "hearing of the ear," and are "not far from the kingdom of God," but far enough never to reach the shores of a blissful immortality. Some are young, and suppose and act as if the day of life was long—that its evening is far far distant—and that hoary locks, and threescore years must come, ere the afternoon of their existence shall have passed;—but I tell them it is not so—the sun of the young often "goes down while it is yet day,"—and the brightest hour of youth is clouded and shrouded by the dark night of death.

Some have delayed till their sun is high in the heavens—half their day gone—and no pardon sought—no peace possessed—no heaven secured—no soul saved! The remaining portion of their life will swiftly pass away—"the night cometh." O be aroused from this fearful slumber—this soul destroying hesitancy—this awful indecision;—and THIS DAY—THIS hour—resolve to be on "the Lord's side."

Some have allowed their day to pass on unheeded, till nearly its close. The twilight of evening has appeared; and who does not know how rapidly night succeeds twilight—"the night cometh."

And what a scene presents itself! An aged man, understanding enough of religion to dread death, but not estimating it sufficiently to seek or desire its possession. The night of the grave will soon SHUT HIM OUT FROM THE WORLD; and his unpardoned sin, and unbelieving heart, will SHUT HIM OUT FROM HEAVEN! Aged friend! before it is too late breathe forth this prayer to the God of your life,—"So teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom"—lest you, and every wavering, undecided professor be overtaken by the night of death, and be cast out into outer darkness—where is no day to alleviate the night;—the past misspent hours of the day of life—gone—wasted—lost forever!!

III. Let the solemn admonition of the Saviour that "the night cometh," urge the sinner to repentance.

Those who have neglected the claims of their precious souls—resisted the monitions of their consciences—refused the invitations of mercy—and have to this moment, lived "without God and without hope in the world,"—whose unholy lives have probably been in direct opposition to the will of God;—who have despised his word—dishonored his day—profaned his name—forsaken his worship and his house—and denied the faith! Ah! perhaps you have associated with the sceptic and the blasphemer—who having lived a fool, expects a fool to die. This, sinner, you may do; but one thing you cannot do—you cannot prevent the night's coming! The infidel Paine tried and he could not! Voltaire tried and he could not! "I will not die," said one in the agonies of death, who had lived a life of folly—"I will not die;" but ah! how vain the resistance—for in that same hour death struck his dart, and the victim was his own.

Careless, thoughtless, impenitent sinner! How unwise, how unreasonable, how anomalous is your conduct! You acknowledge the necessity of active and persevering industry to supply your daily wants—you admit the propriety of making a provision for old age, and even that your bodies may be decently interred when life shall cease here on earth. You look forward, at times to the closing scene of your life with considerable anxiety, and feel desirous of laying something up in store to alleviate the sorrows, and meet the demands of those years, when (should your life be protracted so long) you imagine "days of darkness," and "years wherein there is no pleasure," must be endured; and yet you have no dread of the eternal night—that dense, sepulchral night—unmitigated, unending, unalterable night; "where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth—where the worm dieth not, and where the fire is not quenched." O, should you perish everlastingly, how will you exclaim with Saul—"I have played the fool and erred exceedingly?"

Mistaken being! hearken for your life! O that I could awaken and persuade you to a few moments' serious reflection, and solemn consideration of your perilous state. Just think! What if some unseen being followed you on your homeward way, and whispered in your ear, "The night cometh;" and entered with you your dwelling, and on the threshold uttered with doleful cry,—"The night cometh;" and again at midnight, roused you as with the voice of thunder, exclaiming, "The night cometh;" and if on the morrow when you rose—and at your morning, and mid-day and evening meals; at your employment; at each interval of leisure—when you journeyed, and when you rested;—still and again, and yet again, in deep and unearthly tones, assailed you with the terrific words, "the night cometh."—would you not fear and tremble, and seek some means to dismiss the dreaded and unwelcome visitor—to still your conscience and secure peace of mind?

Remember then, the truth remains—the night is coming. Before it comes, be persuaded immediately to seek the God of salvation—before it is too late, bow your knees; and beseech him to give you the grace of repentance. Say to him, "Create in me, O God, a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me." Pardon of sin for the most guilty is provided, through the Lord Jesus Christ. He died on the cross, "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Without repentance for sin, and faith in this Saviour, you and every sinner must perish forever. There is no "other name given under heaven whereby you can be saved;" but he "is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him." Sinner! delay not. A voice from heaven calls to you "To-day, if you will come unto me." To-day then, determine in the strength of almighty grace, to seek for mercy. To-day cast yourself as a guilty sinner at the footstool of the throne—to-day, resolve you will escape, and "flee from the wrath to come;"—to-day, surrender your heart to God and be his willing subject;—to-day, implore the Holy Spirit's aid, to teach you and guide you. O do this and you will be happy in life, in death, in eternity. Refuse these offers—despise these exhortations, and you will perish—yes, eternally perish—for, "the night cometh!"—John Adey.

There is another night! The night of the grave is hastening but no swifter than the night of despair! Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. But this is not forever. A time is coming when the dispensation of God's mercy shall end, and the glad tidings of salvation shall be heard no longer. The harvest shall be past, the summer ended. The mystery of God shall be finished, as he has declared by his servants the prophets. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. The judgment shall set; the books be opened. The gospel day shall close. At night the master shall reckon with his servants. What rewards shall the righteous possess! What joys and triumphs shall be there! What holy rest shall be the portion of those who have worked while the day lasts! But the idle, the careless, the unfaithful, the rebellious; what anguish shall be theirs! What woe, what horror, what lamentation! What weeping, and wailing and gnashing of teeth, what terrific agony, what untold dismay!

The night is most assuredly coming—while we sleep the night cometh! While we sing the night cometh! While we trifle the night cometh! While we put it far away it cometh! While we say it will never come, it cometh! "On all the wings of time it flies; each moment brings it near!" And are we ready to meet it? The night cometh—it is at hand. To the faithful it shall be the precursor of an eternal day. When time's sun shall set in clouds and gloom, their day shall break in glory, and their sun no more go down. But not so the wicked. They are children of darkness and of night. They love darkness; they choose sin. They must meet the hastening issue. The wages of sin is death! The night cometh to them—the night of despair! No star shall pierce its mantling gloom,—no voice of joy shall cheer its dreary ages,—no morning light shall penetrate its realm; and the guilty shall die "the second death," and sink into the unfathomed depths of night—into the "blackness of darkness forever and ever!"

Friend, would you escape that "outer darkness?" Flee then to Christ! "In him is life, and the life is the light of men!" Work then while the day lasts. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling! Sinner repent! Believer labor! Spread the truth—honor Christ—be faithful to the end. The night cometh! Let us prepare for its coming! May God have mercy on us for Christ's sake!