p. 70 | The Twilight Hour by M. D. A.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1864

The Twilight Hour.

By M. D. A.

Or A Lesson From the Stars.

At the close of a day of unusual perplexity and care, temptation and trial, I sat down at twilight, meditating upon its events almost unhappily. I thought of the world as dark and unstable, all uncertain, nothing sure; of life as a journey attended with sorrow, sin and death; each day bringing fresh trials and labor, fewer joys and hopes; and I asked, Is there a world where these experiences come not? Is there a clime pure and happy, unattended by adverse winds, where those who pass through this world bowed with woe and burdened with care will live and never more feel these weights, and live in bliss and happiness, love and peace to all eternity? And is there one, a being of purity, benevolence, and sympathy, who looks down upon those sinful, wayworn, care-stricken hearts, counting every sigh, marking every moment of suffering, registering every deed done for his sake, and treasuring up a reward to be given at last? commissioning his angelic ministers to every drooping needy spirit to administer balmy aid? And oh may this bright picture be my hope? A sense of weariness was upon me, and so low had bent my spirit, that I almost failed to grasp by faith a hope so full of comfort. Unbelief beset my heart and I asked, Is it so?

I was weary with my meditations and looking up I saw two lonely stars. All alone, seemingly, their gentle, genial rays shone out from the firmament as if meant for me. Nothing ever appeared more opportune and cheering. The whole nature of my reflections was changed and I thought on.

I wondered who had sent them to thus chase away my gloom. It was God. That same being whose care and love and pity I had almost doubted. It was he who had made them, placed them in their orbits and caused them to come and go to dispel the shades of night. These beautiful stars were not unstable, but ever in their nightly round did they here and there shed their timid light, never varying in their starry paths.

My unbelief was gone. Here could I see my kind Creator's hand; and I prayed to learn a lesson from the stars. I loved to gaze upon them. They drew my thoughts from earth to heaven. But presently a cloud appeared and hid them from my view. My first reflection was, those stars are gone, and with it came a sense of sadness—again, I thought, no, but shining brightly as before, only beyond the cloud. It was momentary. The cloud was gone, and the stars shone with their wonted lovliness upon me.

The lesson was a good one. I felt the kind reproof and regretted my lack of trust in him who had ever proved himself faithful. He who had done so much to save me, could he ever leave me if I loved and trusted him?

But this was not all the lesson of that twilight hour. God had made those stars, and ever faithful they performed his will. My own existence also I owed to him, and like them should I do what he had assigned me, and I thought, Oh that I might never vary from that humble path my Saviour designed for me to tread. There could be no mistake, so plainly had he marked the way. He had even stooped to walk the path before me, that I might see his footprints and know where to take each step. Then can I be true to him and never grow weary of the road? Can I bear his yoke, trusting his goodness ever? The floating clouds of sorrow may sometimes eclipse him from my gaze, but can I believe that all, all, is for my good? Amid all the angry clouds and storms that enveloped his whole life, how brightly did his works shine out, illuminating the world! Even like the sun the glorious King of day, his was an example of faithfulness and truth. Oh, that his lovely image may reflect itself in me.

Ere long these dark and angry storms will pass, soon the recording angel will return with the report, "It is done." Each deed, good or bad will bring its reward. Soon the great Shepherd will call his people to immortal pastures and living waters. Oh may I count one among that number then, of whom it is written, Then they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.

M. D. A.