p. 83 | An Illustration by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 15, 1865

An Illustration.

By James White

[Bro. White: The following, with the caption above, I clip from the American Wesleyan. It is taken from the "Note Book" of one of its correspondents; and if you choose to publish it, it will speak for itself.

S. B. Whitney.]

"Somewhere I have seen a picture of a maiden whose lover had gone to the Holy Land and was reported slain. With steadfast hopes that he would again return she kindled a beacon-fire on the shore of the island where she dwelt, to guide the vessel which love imagined would restore him to her arms. And by that watch-fire she took her stand each night; looking out across the dusky sea with sad and tremulous expectation of him on whom her heart was set.

The picture was meant only as poetry or fancy; but it may be used as a parable. That maiden is the church. That lover is Jesus. That Holy Land is Heaven. That report that he is dead is the teachings of unbelief and cold-hearted skepticism. That watch-fire is the flame of divine love (our blessed hope). The scene beyond is the misty future. The darkness, the bleak rocks, and the rolling and roaring waters, are nature's discouragements. And there, age after age, through all the long dark night of suffering stands the noble maiden by her love-lit fire, bending forward to catch the first glimpse of his coming, and to hail His approach who has pledged himself to make her his happy bride. She shall not be disappointed. That Bridegroom will come. He has promised to come. There is nothing that can possibly prevent his coming. Everything demands that he should come. And some of those nights while the world is wrapped in slumbers, and wicked men are laughing at the maiden watching on the shore, a form shall be seen rising over the surging waves and will bring to her loving heart a thrill of joy, which shall more than repay for all her long and anxious watchings. Dear brethren and sisters, are your watch-fires burning? Have you oil in your lamps? If so keep looking? for we are expecting him now very soon."