The army of the Great King...

Front matter

'3^

0° ^ o_ vV

Wh

CHAPTER I. — The Land of Darkness and its Occupants, 7 II. — A Discourse of the King's Messenger, 19

III. — The State of the World, and the Dawn of Day, ... 26

SHORT SERMONS ON SHORT TEXTS.

SERMON I. — On Hearing the Word, 38

II.— The Manner of Hearing the Truth, 43

ni. — The Duty of Prayer, 48

IV'. — On Quenching the Spirit, 5G

V. — Religious Joy, 63

VI. — On Prophecy, 72

VII.— The Ark on the New Cart, 79

VIIL— The Flock of God, 86

IX. — All Things working for the Believer's Benefit, .... 92

X.— All Things made New, 103

XI. — Who shall Inherit all Things, 112

XII.— The Number of the Saved, 127

A Chapter for Thinking Ones, ■ . 13>

MISCELLANEOUS PIECES.

The Man Christ Jesus, 141

Seeing Afar Off, 145

Consolation for the Lonely, 147

The Coronation Day, 150

A Girdle for the Mind, 152

A Brand Plucked out of the Fh-e, 154

Take my Yoke upon You, 155

God's Manner of Teaching, 157

Thoughts on the 23d Psalm, 158

1*

VI ^ CONTENTS.

"That Day," 160

Pollow Me, 164

Growth in Grace, 165

Ou Doing Justly, 163

The Cleansing Blood, 170

Our Altar and its Sacrifices, 174

The Final Separation, 182

The Fii'st and the Last of Earthly Kingdoms, 185

On the Government of the Tongue, 194

Thoughts and Scraps, 195

POETIC MUSINGS.

The Two Mountains, 197

Looking Forward, 200

A Christian's Faith, i205

The Deathless City, 205

Be of Good Courage, 207

Home, 208

Rooted in Christ, 209

Confidence in God's Grace, , , . . 210

Lines on Sleeping in Meeting, 211

The Moon Shining on the Water, 212

My Times are in Thy Hand, . 213

If a Man Die shall he Live Again ? 213

Christ Alone our Rock, 214

When Jesus Comes the Shadows will Flee, 215

The Cross without a Screen, 216

The Lily among Thorns, ^ 217

Nature, Grace and Glory, 218

Wm and Wear It, 219

Lines on Mrs. Atwood's Death, . . ' 220

Death of Mirabeau, ....'. 220

The Voice of my Beloved, 221

The Morning Star, • 222

Come, Lord Jesus, ., 223

THE ARMY OF THE GREAT KING.

CHAPTER I.

THE LAND OF DARKNESS AND ITS OCCUPANTS.

At one time, as I journeyed through the land of the Great King, I lighted on a certain place, among a strange people ; and, as I must necessarily be detained among them for some time, I resolved to make myself acquainted with their history of the past, their present condition, and hopes of the future, — at least, so far as my circumstances would admit.

When I arrived at the place of which I speak it was nio^ht. The sun had lonoi: before set behind the western hills, darkness covered the land, and, in many places, gross darkness the people. The darkness, however, was not in every place of the same density. On some places the stars shone down brightly, and the air- was cool and pleasant. But on high mountains, whose sides were*covered with trees of abundant foliage, darkness reigned. There trees had fallen, and deep caverns lay concealed. Many a weary traveller lost his way on the hills, and, while seeking for light, his feet stumbled on the dark mountains, and he fell to rise no more. Wide-spread valleys in other places existed, \yhose bosom was covered with trees and poisonous plants, where innumerable serpents and wild beasts found a home. As no traveller could pass through these valleys without great danger, and exposure to death itself, they were called by the inhabitants of the land ^^The Valleys of the Shadow of Death.*'

I observed that the people generally had a light, by the aid of which they performed the work in which they were engaged. Some had lamps, which were curiously constructed. These lamps were not invented and made in the land of which I am speaking, — they came from a heavenly country. They were lighted at the throne of the Great King, sent into the land of darkness, and freely offered^to all who would accept of them. Those who received them rejoiced in the light which they afforded, and were often heard to exclaim, ''Thy word is a light to my feet and a lamp to my path/*' I thus learned that those lamps were called ''The Word of God.'' It was no uncommon thing for those who possessed them to sing in the night. Some of the words of a song which fell on my ears were these : ' * Unto the upright there ariseth a light in the darkness ; " and, again, " Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upyght in heart." But I was surprised to see that the multitude rejected these lamps, and kindled a fire of their own, in the light of which they '\?7alked. This was very displeasing to the

THE LAND OF DARKNESS. 9^^

Great King, and, though they apparently prospered for a season, at last their light went out, and they lay down in sorrow. Of this the Great King had warned them, saying, ^'The light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.''

As I was desirous of knowing whether the sun had ever shone on this region, or whether the light from the stars and lamps was all the Great King had ever given this land, I drew near to a person somewhat advanced in years, whom I saw standing with a lamp in his hand, and questioned him on this point. I saw, by the light which his lamp shed, that he was a person of more than ordinary intellect. His eye was bright ; his voice clear and pleasant, while his free, open countenance bespoke him a man of true friendship. lie kindly requested me to be seated, and thus addressed me :

''Young man, you are evidently a stranger here, and the place, doubtless, seems to you to be gloomy in the extreme ; hence I do not wonder at the question you have asked. I can give the information you desire. This land belongs to the Great King whose residence is in the far country, where all is light and gladness. He made it, by his almighty power, for his own pleasure. When it first came from his hand it was beauteous to behold. Then the sun shone upon it, and so lovely was the face of nature, that the Creator pronounced it ^ very good,^ Then the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God, who surrounded the throne of the Great King, when they saw it, shouted for joy. There were no gloomy caverns and deep pitfalls then ; no stormy winds, nor howling tempest there ; no ravening wolves, nor devouring lions, for all animals were harmless as a dove. That was a golden age.

'^ If there was any place on this fair earth more beautiful than another, it was the garden of Eden. It was intended to be the dwelling-place of our forefather while he continued to obey the mandate of the Great King. Our first parents were placed in a state of probation. They were left to the freedom of their own will. Life and death were set before them. They had their choice, either to dwell in light or in darkness, in sunshine or in sorrow. In an evil moment they yielded to the temptation of Diabolos, and partook of the forbidden fruit. They were consequently driven from Eden's bowers. The sun, which had hitherto shone so clearly, disappeared behind the distant hills, and the sable mantle of night was thrown around the earth.

'^ Notwithstanding the failure on the part of man, compassion and long-sufiering dwelt in the bosom of the Great King. He spake kindly to man, and promised in due time to send his own Son, who should open up a way for man's salvation, and the restoration of the earth to its pristine beauty. When the fulness of time had come the Son appeared in our world. The Prince of Darkness and his legions gathered around him, and took him and put him to death. But he arose from the dead as

THE LAND OP DARKNESS. 11

a mighty conqueror, and ascended to the palace of the Great King, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. Before he went away he not only promised to come back again, but gave us work to do during his absence. He gave us the lamps which w^e carry, and by the light of which we labor, and promised that Avhen he shall return all those who trust in him shall be exalted to inherit glory. •

* Gloomy and dark the night has been, And long the way and dreary ; And sad the weeping saints are seen, And faint and worn and weary.'

"All who dwell in this land belong to two great armies that are being gathered. One army belongs to the Great King, and the other to the Prince of Darkness. The time of the final conflict is rapidly approaching, and, in the opinion of many of us, is nigh at hand. For one, I expect that day will soon daw^n over the eastern hills, and the Sun of righteousness arise wuth healing in his wings.

" And now I must leave you,'' said my friend, rising from his seat by my side. '' Duty calls me to go elsewhere ; but, as all those who bear lamps, profess to belong to the army of the Great King, you may converse with them, and they vrill tell you Avhat they expect to receive when the day breaks." So saying, he bade me adieu for the present.

Shortly after he left, I saw before me a company of lamp-bearers, some of whom were employed in digging graves, others in preparing coffins. Some were making shrouds, while others were burying the dead. On entering into conversation witli them, I learned they were looking for day. Said I^ -'For what day is it you look?'^ With one voice they answered, ^'The day of redemption. Our parents have begn borne to the grave. Our nearest and dearest friends have been consigned to the tomb, and we are a company of mourners. Our land is one vast charnel-house ; bftt the Great King has promised that when he comes there will be a resurrection of the just.'' At that moment a wail of deep anguish fell upon my ear. I turned to look to the place from whence it proceeded, and saw before me a group of persons standing in a light of their own kindling. One of their number had lost a companion. Her heart was filled with sorrow because of her loss. She murmured against the Great King for suffering Death to cut down the husband of her youth. She refused to be comforted, because he was not. Hence the piercing cry to which I had listened. From such a sad scene I turned away my eyes, and gazed again upon the company by my side. I observed the silent tear roll down the cheeks of many. They keenly felt their loss, but sorrowed not as others without hope.

Not far from me, on my right, I saw another company carrying lamps. As I approached them, I heard one of their number say, '' Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.'' I concluded that these were also mourners. As they were travelling, I asked them whither they went. They replied, ''To a city of habitation. We have heard of a land w^here the inhabitants will not say, 'I am sick,' and we want a

THE LAND OF DARKNESS. 13

home there. The road over which we now journey is rough and uneven, and sometimes our feet are bruised and bleeding ; but, when we reach the city, a few leaves from the tree of life will make them Avell again. Soon we expect the morning to dawn, when the Great King will send forth his angels and gather us unto himself: and we want to be found of him in peace, — standing with our loins girt about with truth, and our lights burning, and we ourselves like unto those who wait for their Lord.'' Having spoken these words, they went on their way.

There was one thing about the lamp-bearers, with whom I had thus far conversed, which particularly interested me, and made a deep impression on my mind ; and that was, they were all looking for the speedy appearing of the Great King, and the dawn of day. Wishing to know on what ground their expectation was based, I felt anxious to inquire of some one. About this time I again saw my aged friend approaching me with his lamp, which appeared to burn brighter than before, and I questioned him in relation to this matter. Said he, " There are many evidences on which our hope is built, among which we have the following :

'' Fii^st. The Great King was pleased to reveal to his servant Daniel the fact that five universal kingdoms were to exist on the earth. Four of these were to be in some measure subject to the Prince of Darkness, and measure the night of the world. The fifth was to be the kingdom of the day, and be governed forever by Prince Immanuel. 2

As the four kingdoms have arisen as predicted, the last must speedily give place to the kingdom of the Great King.

^^ Second. A long time ago, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and many more lamp-bearers, looked for day, but saw it in the distance. ' These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them o/ar off^ and were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers on the earth.' Ages afterwards, the apostle Paul, authorized by the Great King, exclaimed, ^ The night is far spent, and the day is at haiid.^ Such tidings were cheering to the hearts of many weary ones, and they got the impression that the day would immediately dawn. The apostle corrected this error, and gave them to understand that the day was not actually impending, and would not come till the apostasy had set in, and that Man of sin been revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming. As we say an event is at hand which is next in order, so Paul, standing in the last kingdom of the night, and speaking relatively, said, ' The day is at hand.' A long period has passed since the apostle spake these words. The apostasy has come, and it is a general opinion among the lamp-bearers, that the Power seated on the seven hills is the Lawless One of prophecy. Hence, as the hindrance to the day dawn which existed in the apostolic age has been removed, we are reasonably bound to look continually for the destruction of that apostate

THE LAND OF DARKNESS. 15

Power, by the brightness which shall attend the personal revelation of the Great King.

^ ' Third. We learn from one of the messengers of the Great King that ' the path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more . unto the perfect day.' And from another that, in ^ the time of the end ' of this world's night, ' many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.' From these statements we infer that our lamps will give more light the nearer we draw to the dawn of day. And it is admitted, by those w^ho have compared the light of the past with that of the present time, that the lamps give greater light now than ever before."

^'But," said I, ''are all those who received lamps from the messengers of the Great King aware that their lamps now^ shine more brightly than ever? "

^' No," said my aged friend ; ^' many to whom the lamps were given have neglected to use them. Some have set them down and forgotten them. Others are so engrossed in worldly matters that they see not the increasing light. It is only those who give heed to the sure word of prophecy that are benefited thereby."

''I suppose, then," said I, '^ that there are many of the lamp-bearers who do not look for the speedy introduction of the day of redemption? "

'' Yes," said he, ^- there are many such. Some are expecting a long period of moonlight before the day breaks. They hope the moon w^ill soon arise, and chase away much of the darkness and sorrow which cover the land, and that this long time of light and peace shall be merged in the eternal day.''

*^Well, but on what can such a hope be grounded ? " I remarked. '^ Are there any promises of the Great King which are supposed to teach such a doctrine ? ''

'' Yes,'' he replied. ^' The King has promised that his kingdom shall come and his will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. — that his glory shall cover the earth as the waters do the channel of the great deep, — that the Prince of Darkness shall be bound and confined in the abyss, — and that then there shall be nothing to hurt nor to destroy in all the holy mountain; for the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and with everlasting joy upon their heads ; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. All of which promises, I expect, will be fulfilled when the Great King comes, and the blessedness be enjoyed, not under the moonlight of earth, but under the sunshine of heaven."

'^ There is one thing, however," he continued, '^on which the lamp-bearers generally are agreed; and that is, that, whether the period just before us is one of moonlight bliss or of sunlight glory, it will be introduced by a terrible conflict between the Great King and his army on one side, and the Fringe of Darkness and his legions on the other. The armies are already preparing themselves for the battle. A crisis is approaching, and the Great King has sent his messengers to prepare his army for the final struggle."

THE LAND OF DARKNESS. 17

Here my instructor arose to depart, and, as ho did so, he gave me a book which he had in his hand, saying, '^This book, was written by the authority and under the supervision of the Great King. Its sayings are faithful and true. It abounds with promises which are virtually orders on the Bank of Heaven. Those who believe them are rich in good works, and heirs to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. Take the book, read it carefully, and it will do you good, for it is designed to show unto us the way of eternal life. ' The true way of understanding it is by comparing passage with passage, text with text. As a diamond can be best cut by another diamond, so will one text resolve and explain another.' ''

I received with gratitude the proffered gift, and began diligently to examine the contents of this sacred volume. I soon saw the correctness of a remark made to me by one of the lamp-bearers, ^' There are shallows in it where lambs may wade, and depths in it where elephants may swim." Still I was not discouraged in its perusal. I saw mysteries in nature as well as in the book of the Great King; and being fully persuaded of its truthfulness, by the literal fulfilment of its predictions relative to the past, I concluded to submit to its teachings.

At one time, while meditating on the day so long expected by the good, and wondering whether the surrounding darkness would actually continue till the break of day, or be dissipated and removed by the rising of the moon, I opened my book on

9^^ the text, ^^We have also a more sure woi^d of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts.'' Instantly the conviction was fastened upon my mind that the earth would remain a dark, filthy place till the dawn of day. And the more I read, the more I became convinced that such was the sentiment taught in the book. Such passages as the following, among others, brought me to this conclusion: ^^In the latter times some shall depart from the faith." ''-Perilous times . shall come." " Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." ^' In the world ye shall have tribulation." " Yea, all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." " Let the tares and the wheat grow together till the harvest .... the harvest is the end of the world." "As it was in the days of Noah, and of Lot, so shall it be in the day when the Son of man cometh." And of the redeemed in glory, I read, '' These are they that came out of great tribulation."

W4i

Chapter II. A Discourse Of The King's Messenger

About this time it began to be noised abroad that a messenger of the Great King was about to visit that part of the Land of Darkness where I was, for the purpose of addressing the soldiers of the cross (for by that name the lamp-bearers were sometimes called), and to induce, if possible, some of the unhappy subjects of the Prince of Darkness to join the army of P^rince Immanuel, and thus become children of the light. Being desirous of hearing the discourse, I attended at the time appointed. The audience was composed of the soldiers of both armies, who apparently listened with candor and attention, Avhile, with persuasive earnestness, the messenger preached the gospel which he was commissioned to bear to a perishing world.

Thinking that a brief synopsis of the discourse may be interesting, I will present a few of the leading thoughts which were advanced, satisfied, however, that the reader will not be able to feel the full force and power of the subject to which I had the pleasure of listening. The messenger chose as his text Revelation 17 : 14 : ^' These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them : for he is Lord of lords and

King of kings, and they that are with him are calledj and chosen, and faithful." After referring to the coming struggle among the nations of the earth, and giving a brief description of the hosts which are being gathered under the Prince of Darkness, he proceeded to show from the text the characteristics of those who will constitute the army of the Great King in the decisive day. He remarked :

^'I. They are called.

•^The One by lohom they are called is the Great King. In making the call the most persuasive language is used. Is the sinner weary and heavy laden ? He is invited to come and find rest. Is he thirsty, and his soul fainting wdthin him ? He is called to come to the waters of salvation, and drink and be refreshed. Is he w eak and sickly ? He is invited to buy wine and milk, even the most choice dainties. Does he say that he is poor and penniless, and, therefore, cannot buy ? He is invited to come without money and without price. Does he still urge that he is unworthy, and the blessings cannot be for him? The call is, ^ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ! Yea, the Spirit and the Bride say Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever to ill let him take the water of W^q freely.^ — Isaiah 55 : 1 ; 45 : 22 ; Matt. 11 : 28—80 ; Rev. 3 : 20 ;

21 : 6 ; 22 : 17.

' ' The place from whence they are called is the present evil world. The command of the Great King is, ' Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.' On referring to the

DISCOURSE OF THE KING*S MESSEXGEPv. 21

law given by Moses to the Israelites, we find it written, ' Thou shalt not plough wnth an ox and an ass together ' (Deut. 22 : 10) ; which law was, no doubt, founded on a principle of mercy. As one animal is larger and stronger than the other, the burden would be unequally divided. Furthermore, one animal was reckoned clean, and the other unclean (See Deut. 14 : 4 — 9), therefore, such a union would be unequal yoking ; and doubtless it was in allusion to this ancient law that the Great King commanded us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For ' what communion hath light with darkness ? Therefore, come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' — 2 Corinth. 6 : 14 — 18. ' Pure and undefiled religion before God even the Father is this, To visit the widows and the fatherless in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.' — James 1 : 27 ; 2 Peter 1 : 4.

" The means by which they are called out of the world are the Spirit, the truth, the ministry, and the providential acts of our Great King. It pleases our King by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. As the wind blows upon the rocks and leaves them as hard as they were before, so the truth would fall on the minds of men and leave them unsanctified and unsaved, were it not for the gracious influences of the Spirit which accompany the word.

" That to which they are called is a life of

THE ARMY OF THE GREAT KING.

holiness here and of happiness hereafter. For ' ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar [or purchased] people ; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.' — 1 Peter 2:9. He hath called them to glory and to virtue. — 2 Peter 1 : 3. Hence they are required to w^alk worthy of the Great King who hath called them to his kingdom and glory. — 1 Thess. 2 : 12. But

•' II. They are chosen.

'' They are elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. 1 Peter 1 : 2. They are first called, then chosen or elected. Those who hear the gospel call, believe and obey, are the elect of God, and such ones are required to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure. — 2 Peter 1 : 10. Some are chosen in the furnace of affliction, and others on the plains of prosperity ; but, whatever situation in life the called may occupy, it is their present business to make sure their future blessedness, knowing that ^ many are called, but few chosen.' Again,

^^ III. They are faithful.

/' Those who land on the shores of Felicity must sail in the ship Fidelity. They must be faithful to God, never deserting the standard of their Great King, nor betraying his cause. They must be faithful in the use of the means of grace, that they m.ay obtain the grace of those means. Yet they do not make an idol of the means. What would be the vy.lue of a casket without the jewel ? or,

DISCOURSE OF THE KINQ'S MESSENGER. 23

the benefit of a glass, without water, to a thirsty man ? And, surely, prayers and other religious duties would be of less value without the favor of the Great King. In his favor are life and peace for evermore. While it will be true of the redeemed in glory, that they 'follow the Lamb w^hithersoever he goeth,' it is also true of the army of the Great King now. They endure hardness as good soldiers. They have enlisted for life. Their motto is. ^ Onward.' And he that endureth unto the end, and is thus faithful, the same shall be saved.''

After an earnest exhortation to the lamp-bearers to be faithful in the discharge of their duties, and to keep their lamps trimmed and burning, the messenger entreated those who had no lamps to come and receive them at his hands, to trust in the mercy of the King of Heaven, and to cease to rebel against Him — assuring them that the Great King would abundantly pardon all those who did so ; but, if they refused and rebelled, they would be speedily discomfited, and they and their leader consigned- to the dark abyss where hope and mercy never come. This appeal had its desired effect ' upon some. I saw them go forward, and, with tearful eyes, and a penitent heart, accept of the lamps, and take an oath that from henceforth they would be true and faithful to the King of kinoes. The in teres tin o; services were brouo;ht to a close by singing the following hymn, in which the aged and the youthful soldiers joined with equal fervor and devotion :