The world's hope

Front matter

.0 0.

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Dedication

TO MY WIFE:

For neai'ly thirty years the loved and loving companion of my life; my faithful helper and co-worker i?i the healthy^ active ^ and happy years of ?ny public ministry; my constant^ patient^ and affectionate nurse in the years of my trial and suffering; and my always sympathizing and true-hearted wife^ — this book is dedicated hv her loving husband^

The Author.

Preface

In passing through life's journey, the people of God have often to sing with the poet Cowper, —

"God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform."

And happy are they who have learned to trust their Heavenly Father where they cannot see him ; who can read his love in the most trying dispensations ; who do not judge Him by feeble sense, but who know that when he blesses he does so like a God, making the things that seemed all against us work for our good ; and so modifying the heat of the furnace of affliction, that instead of consuming us, as we feared, it only consumes our dross.

Hence there is nothing so wise, nothing so sweet for the Christian to do, as quietly to submit himself to the holy will of God. As a loving child puts his hand into his father's hand, and is led by him wherever he pleases, so should we trust our Father in heaven. He may lead us into a wilderness, or into a garden, by rough places or by smooth ; but it will be found to be the right way, while He is our guide.

I have been led into these reflections by the sending forth of this new work from my pen, which opens the present volume. But a few years ago I was the pastor of a loving, faithful, and working church, in that most stirring and bustling city, Chicago. My congregation was large and attentive ; conversions were frequent and numerous ; I was happy in my work, and my time

PREFACE.

occupied with it from morning to night. I had no time to write for the public, and never expected to be the author of books, but God laid his afflicting hand upon me, and paralysis left me almost as helpless as a child. Oh, it was a dark and trying day when I had to leave my loved work, and bid farewell to my dear people !

Determined, to work as long as I could for my beloved Lord Jesus, I sent forth book after book which were well received by the Christian public. Soon communications began to reach me of the good they were doing. From the crowded city and the quiet village ; from our patriot soldiers on the tented field, and from the hospitals filled with the wounded ; from the pastors of churches, and teachers of Sabbath Schools, came frequent accounts of conversions through my writings. I now began to have a glimpse of the reason why God afflicted me. I found that I was addressing a much larger audience than I had ever done before, and that my affliction, so far from hindering, had greatly increased my usefulness. This was a great comfort to me, and caused the song of gratitude to God to ring out of the dark night of my trouble. The master had led me in a way that I knew not, and to Him I gave all the glory.

In conclusion, I wish the publishers of this, my latest and largest work, great success in sending forth this book on the great errand of preaching Christ; and I earnestly ask the prayers of the Christian reader, that the same may be abundantly blessed in leading souls to Jesus, the "World's Hope, ' and to build the fabric of their trust for eternity upon the "EocK OF Ages."

R. B.

Contents

Page

I. Abel — An Accepted Worshiper 15

II. Enoch — The Heavenly Walk 26

Part II. None But Christ

CONTENTS

Page.

I. The Great Deliverance, i Cor. v : 7 377

II. The True Refuge. Num. xxxv : 12 389

III. The Jubilee. Lev. xxv : 11 402

IV. Law and Gospel. John i : 17 416

V. The Dying Words of Jesus. John xix : 30 --428

VI. Lessons from the Great Teacher 4^5

A Blind Leader.

NicoDEMUs Astonished.

Variety of the Spirit's Work.

Assurance of Salvation.

A Saving Look.

God's Great Love.

Justified or Condemned.

Loving Darkness and Hating Light.

Coming to the Light.

VII. Precious Truths for Perishing Sinners 485

The Lost Sheep.

The Lost Coin.

The Prodigal Son.

Joy in the Presence of the Angels.

VIII. Prayer Through Christ. Johnxiv: 13 518

CONTENTS.

Paok.

IX. The Christian's Motto. Phil i: 21 531

To Live is Christ.

To Die is Gain.

X. Christ's Gracious Time. 2 Cor. vi : 2 544

XI. The Blessed Remembrance. Lukexxii: 19. ..562 XII. The Friendship of Christ. Matt, xii : ko ....574

XIII. Christ Succoring the Tempted. Heb. ii : 18. 588

XIV. Parting Words of Counsel 602

Part III

aLAi3 TiDiisras

CONTENTS

I. Glad Tidings 611

II. Immanuel, God with us 617

III. Sinai and Calvary 622

IV. The Spirit Striving .627

V. Saving Faith... 633

VI. Obscuring Clouds 639

VII. Mighty TO Save ---645

VIII. Peace with God 6^2

IX. The Thirsty Invited,... 658

X. The New Creature 5^^

XL Working for Jesus. ^y-

XII. Thit- Gospel Feast ---6S^

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Paok'

I. The Flood 38

11. Abraham Preparing TO Offer UP Isaac. . 54:

III. Hebroj^ Q^

TV. Joseph's Dream 98

V. Moses Before Pharaoh's Daughter 114

VI. The Miraculous Fire 122

VII. Departure of Israel 130

VIII. The Destruction^ of Pharaoh and His

Hosts * 138

IX. The Encampment of Israel 146

X. Moses on Mount Pisgah 162

XI. The Furniture of the Tabernacle 170

XII. Rahab Concealing the Spies 186

XIIL Samuel Before the Lord 202

XIV. Ruth Gathering in the Fields 210

XV. David Playing Before Saul. 226

XVI. Elijah Casting His Mantle on Elisha.. 266

XVII. Daniel and His Companions Before Neb-

UCADNEZZAR 282

XVIII. The Captive Maiden. 290

XIX. Daniel Interpreting the Handwriting. 298

XX. Samaria and Mount Gerizim 314

XXI. Plains of Jericho 338

XXII. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch. 354

XXril. Paul Before the Council 370

XXIV. Jesus the King 378

XXV. A City of Refuge 392

XXVI. Symbol of the New Dispensation 400

XXVII. Jesus in the Temple with the Doctors. . . 416

XXVIII. It is Finished 432

XXIX. The Temptation of Jesus 448

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

XXX. The Royal Ride Into Jerusalem 464

XXXI. The Parable of the Lost Sheep 490

XXXII. The Parable of the Talents 498

XXXIII. The Miracle at Nain 522

XXXIV. Sitting Under the Vine 540

XXXV. Jesus Healing the Blind 548

XXXVI. The Betrayal of Jesus 564

XXXVIIL The Mount of Olives 628

XXXIX. The Ascension 652

XL. The River of Life 698

Biographical Sketch.

BY CHARLES L. THOMPSON, D.D.

The Rev. Robert Boyd, D.D., was born in Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 24th day of August, 1816. His parents were devout and strict members of the Scottish Kirk. Their home was by the sea-shore, the beauty and grandeur of whicli made impressions on the mind of the boy, which were never effaced during the life of the man. In his autobiographic notes (from which largely the materials of this sketch have been drawn) he speaks thus of that early home :

" In front of the house was the great ocean, with only a grass-park between us and the beach. We could see the ships passing in great numbers almost every day going to and coming from the port of Greenock. Our house was at the end of the town, and behind it were cultivated fields, sloping away to high hills that seemed to be leaning against the sky. To climb those hills and lie down alone among the heather and gaze off upon the ocean stretching away till it seemed to meet the embrace of the bending sky, was one of my highest pleasures."

His thoughts were, from his very infancy, turned to the subject of religion. His father was an influential man in the Church, whose house was the resort of ministers and elders and other pious people. It was the boy's delight to sit by the fire of an evening, and listen to the conversations and discussions about religious truth and points of doctrine ; and while much of these discussions sailed far above his head, profound impressions were thus early made upon his mind. The dawn of religious thoughts and feelings is thus referred to :

" As far back as my memory can go I had serious thoughts iv BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT BOYD.

of God and Eteri^ity. One evening, in the calm twilight of the summer-time, x was lying on the grass in front of our house, gazing up into the dusky sky, when I began to see one star after another come out, and all at once a guilty dread of God took hold upon me. I felt as if the powerful arm of Jehovah was just about to be stretched out through the heavens to arrest me for the sins I had committed. I fled into the house in a perfect panic of fear and burying my head in my mother's lap, asked her to pray for me. I was five or six years of age at this time, and my dear mother, was deeply affected by my words, having the general impression that for a child to show such feeling on the subject of religion was a sure proof that he was soon to die."

His religious education, as was the habit of the Scottish families of that day, was carefully attended to. ' He was taught to pray night and morning, to repeat the shorter catechism from beginning to end, to commit to memory Psalms and whole chapters of the Word of God. He also read many religious works with avidity, among which he mentions Pilgrim's Progress as having been a source of peculiar delight.

When about twelve years of age, the family removed to Glasgow. To leave his seaside home, and to exchange it for the noise and smoke and dust of a crowded city, was " the first great sorrow of his life." But for the beauty of nature he was now to have the better educational advantages of the city. The first part of that education was, however, perilous and was only by the grace of God prevented from being fatal. He fell in with reckless companions, who under plausible and attractive appearances hid corrupt lives and wicked hearts. His feet had well nigh slipped. The serious and pious thoughts of his early home took wing and fled away. The very form of prayer was neglected, the house of God was irregularly visited, the Sabbath was spent in rambles of pleasure, and as he expresses it, he was on the way to destruction with fearful rapidity. But God had a great work for him to do, and so in His great mercy interposed in his behalf and delivered him from

' * HIS UNITING WITH THE CHURCH. y

the snare to which he was hastening. The account of the change is given in his own words :

" When about fifteen years of age I went to hear an eloquent minister from England, who was preaching in John Street. His preaching was different from any thing I had ever heard. It was plain and pointed. It grappled close with the conscience, and best of all was full of Christ. It was so entirely new that my attention was arrested from the first sentence he uttered, and the Spirit of God carried the truth with power to my heart. I sought an interview with Mr. Ellensworth at the close of the service, and on subsequent occasions ; and I trust was led to yield my heart up to Jesus. It is true I had but very imperfect conceptions of the plan of mercy, I lived much upon my own feelings and spent many very unprofitable hours in analyzing my emotions and trying to find comfort from looking inward at my own heart, instead of outward at Jesus. I had many seasons of discouragement when my feelings were not so warm and ardent as I thought they should be, when engaged in the Lord's service. Satan often tempted me to give up, for that I would surely bring a reproach on the cause of truth. I should have answered him as Catharine Bretterge did, when much tempted by the enemy, ' Reason not with me, I am but a weak woman, if thou hast any thing to say, say it to my Christ, he is my Advocate, my Strength and my Redeemer, and he shall plead for me.' "

He at once united with the Church, cut loose from his evil associates, found better company in a band of warm-hearted young Christians in the Church, and engaged actively with them in Christian service. He had not, however, attempted to speak or pray in public. His lips were opened in a singular way. He attended a debating school, at which one evening the Divinity of Christ was the subject under consideration. When he heard Jesus called a mere man, and remarks made derogatory to his glorious character, he found himself suddenly upon his feet, addressing the chairman. He was in a condition of absolute fright and panic when he realized his position and would gladly have retreated from the hundreds of

VI BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT BOYD.

eyes that were fixed upon the boy. His extreme embarrassment roused the mirth of some who were near him, and that in its turn aroused the speaker, who went on earnestly and impetuously, though of course crudely to plead the Divinity of Christ. Perhaps that might be called his first sermon. From that time on he was prompt to take his part, as best as he could, in prayer-meetings, Sabbath- schools and mission stations. For some time he had been engaged in the double work of a student and teacher, attending classes during a part of the day and teaching during the remainder. A long sickness soon put an end to his student life. His recovery was slow, during which he read a large number of the works of the old divines — Erskine, Boston, Flavel, Baxter, Bunyan, Cameron, and others. The marks of that course of reading were impressed on his future life. The fruits of it appeared constantly in his preaching. He was a fuller, stronger, devouter man for that prolonged communion with the old masters in the days of his youth.

He now began to look forward to the life work to which his parents had early dedicated him, and which he had gladly chosen for himself — that of a minister of the Gospel. But there was severe discipline ahead of him before this hope could be realized. His father, a man of great strength of body, suddenly sickened and died. Robert was now throw^ upon his own resources. His studies had to be given up, and he must needs seek some employment to meet the new responsibilities that were thrown upon him. The Temperance cause was then just beginning to attract attention. A Society had been formed in Glasgow, with Robert Kettle at its head, and this Society engaged him to go out through Scotland plead-, ing their cause and establishing Temperance Societies. Properly accredited and full of enthusiasm he started out on his work. It was no easy mission. The Temperance cause was a new thing. Total Abstinence was regarded as a suspicious asceticism. The ministers for the most part stcod aloof, or actively opposed it, many of the office bearers of the Church were engaged in the manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks, and

DR. BOYD AS A TEMPERANCE LECTURER. vil

the places of worship were often closed against the lecturer. Against these obstacles the youthful temperance advocate had to urge his way. Pie went from village to village — often on foot — held meetings every evening, often in the open air — and was the means of awakening an extensive and new interest in the cause. The Glasgow Committee were so well pleased with the results of his tour through Scotland, they sent him to Ireland in response to an earnest request from Irish Temperance Societies that a lecturer be sent them; and in the "green-isle" he also carried on a most aggressive and successful campaign.. The Irish dignitaries were a little indignant at first that the^ Glasgow Committee should have sent a "mere boy" to them, but after the first meeting in Belfast they were quite content,, and gave him through all his tour the heartiest of hearty Irish co-operation. The interest thus expressed and deepened in the Temperance work was never, through his life, absent from his heart, and was a conscious feature of his entire ministry.

After his return from Ireland he was engaged for a while in attending to his father's affairs and in doing city missionary work, as opportunity offered. This mission work was a great delight to him, and his fondness for anecdote and aptitude at illustration gave him ready access to the degraded population of the' city. In the early part of 1839 he was induced by his Temperance friends to make a tour through the eastern part of Scotland, presenting his favorite theme. At this time we find him lecturing during the week and preaching on the Sabbath. Thus he passed through Kylsith (where a wonderful revival was then in progress), Falkirk, Bannockburn, Stirling and. Doune. In the latter place his preaching on the Sabbath and during the week was blessed to a great awakening of the people. Many inquirers were seeking the way of life. He felt called to linger, there and conduct the work thus providentially opened. For five or six months he was " abundant in labors," preaching, holding prayer meetings and visiting from house to house. One Sabbath after preaching he was invited by a farmer living a few miles from Doune to visit his neighborhood and hold service on some evening during the week. He

Viii BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT BOYD.

did so, and on retiring to his room, at the farmer's house, he found a book upon the table on " The Apostolic Commission," written by Rev. A. McLean, pastor of the ist Baptist Church of Edinburgh. He turned to the chapter on Baptism"; It was the beginning of an examination into the subject, which, after a number of days resulted in his believing that the principles and practices of Baptists were in closest accord with the Bible, and in his making application to the Baptist Church at Stirling to be received as a member. On the Sabbath following his application, he was to preach in the morning and be baptized In the afternoon. Going to Stirling on Friday he found the people in great distress, for the pastor of the Church had suddenly died the night before. Mr. Boyd supplied the pulpit for a few Sabbaths, when he was called to the pastorate, ordained to the solemn work of the ministry and installed as pastor of the Stirling Church. The Church was small, and moreover, divided over some Church quarrel. The first day he preached as pastor he was discouraged by the smallness of the audience. He resolved that there should be a different state of affairs in the evening. Accordingly, a little before time for service he took his stand at the center of the city, where several streets meet, and preaching there to within a few minutes of the time for the church service, he gave an invitation to all to follow him to the Baptist church. The place was crowded, and from that time on he had large congregations. By his prudent course internal dissensions, which had threatened the very life of the Church, were healed, and the Church grew by frequent conversions from the world.

Soon after his settling in Stirling, a Congregational minister came from Edinburgh to conduct a series of revival services. These meetings were blessed, not only in the conversion of souls, but in giving Christians clearer views of the fulness there is in Christ. Of this preaching Dr. Boyd says :

" It was to me like a new life, I had up to this time been living a good deal by my own frames and feelings — happy when I looked at Jesus — full of tormenting doubts when I looked at my own heart. I now saw Jesus as a perfect Savior;

HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCK. IX

that as the Lamb of God he had taken away my sins for ever, and that trusting alone in my gracious substitute I was perfectly justified before God and the law had nothing against me, all its claims having been satisfied. I now preached more of Christ than ever before. I did not like to preach a single sermon without explaining how a sinner can be saved. My heart condemned me if I did. I resolved to dedicate my life to holding up the Cross, and to telling my fellow-men the glad tidings that now thrilled my own heart. I have aimed at carrying out this purpose, but alas, how imperfectly has it been done."

These early religious experiences have thus been dwelt upon, because in them is the key to the success of his ministry. Those who knew him in his preaching, or his writings, can not fail to have noticed his singularly clear conception of the plan of salvation, and the unceasing fidelity with which he made it the center and circumference of all his sermons and his books.

On the 6th day of April, 1840, he was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Christina Forbes, and at once they set up their house at St. Ninians, a suburb of Stirling. His wife was like-minded with himself in the love and labors of the Gospel, his faithful friend and constant helper in the days of his activity, and his unwearied nurse and cheerful companion in the days of his suffering and waiting.

His ministry in Stirling was both a busy and successful one. He found special call there also for his temperance zeal. The Churches were so mixed up with the traffic in intoxicating liquors as to be the chief hindrances to the temperance cause. His own Church took advanced and decided ground, and their temperance activity was felt throughout the city. The pastor's work constantly overflowed the boundaries of his own congregation. Preaching stations were established at five or six points in various directions, over which he kept general supervision, and to which he sent lay members of the Church to teach and preach. One of these stations was at Castle Hill, the "Five Points " of Stirling. The people were visited from

X BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT BOYD.

house to house and encouraged to go to the place of the meeting. At first only a few degraded ones came to the door, and it looked as though the mission were likely to be a failure. But in answer to special prayer offered by the Church for that station, a great change took place. The hall was crowded, hard hearts were broken, and many sinners converted. About this time Mr, Boyd undertook a somewhat extensive evangelistic tour through towns and villages around Edinburgh. But the strain of these multiplied labors began to tell upon his health. Nervous days and sleepless nights, the beginning of years of discouragement and suffering, pressed upon his attention the necessity for rest. In company with his beloved friend and deacon, John Robertson, he went first to the seashore, and afterward to Edinburgh and other places, in the hope of fully regaining his health ; but it continued to decline. His mind was turned to America. A sea voyage, it was thought, would be greatly beneficial. The decision was soon reached. He resigned his Church and made ready for his journey. The parting was full of pain. Strong affection bound him to his people, and ardent devotion held him to a work which seemed but fairly begun, and had to be surrendered. He says :

" On the fourth day of August, 1843, we took an early departure from Stirling, looking with indescribable feelings upon each familiar spot, till the spires of the churches, the battlements of the old Castle, faded from our sight. We had many friends to part from, and also a dear little grave containing the precious remains of our second child. We knew that dear Christina, our sweet little flower, was blooming in Heaven; but nature demanded the tribute of tears. Mary, our oldest, we had with us, to cheer us by her prattle, but too young to form any idea of the vast results depending on the change we were now making. At Glasgow we were detained for a few days, and on the tenth of August we set sail in the Margaret Paynter for Montreal. It was a day of solemn feeling to me as we passed along the river and at last plunged forth into the expanding ocean. Night began to gather her dark curtain

HIS VOYAGE TO AMERICA. Xl

around us, and, gazing through the fast-copiing gloom, we bade our native land farewell."

The seclusion of the long sea voyage gave opportunity for meditation and seeking a new preparation for the work that lay before him. His journal for that time indicates the close communion with God during those days, and the great longing which filled him that he might live more and more to the Divine Glory. During that voyage he made a covenant with the Lord, and recorded it in his journal. It is as follows :

"September 4th. I desire here, while upon the great deep and before reaching the land where, if spared, I mean to devote myself to God's work, solemnly to make the following covenant with my Heavenly Father :

" Oh, my God! I had sold myself to sin and was enslaved by Satan and the present evil world. Thou hast redeemed me and at Thy footstool I bow myself in love and gratitude. Other lords have had dominion over me, but from henceforth I desire to be called only by Thy name. Whatever Thou choosest me to be, to have, to want, to do, or to suffer, I cheerfully acquiesce in Thy wise and righteous appointment. Oh, instruct me to know Thy will, and assist me to do it. Oh, my Father! I join myself to Thee, in a perpetual covenant, never, I trust, to be forgotten. I had rather be a door-keeper in Thy house, oh, my God! than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Let me but feel Thy supporting hand, hear Thy gracious voice and see Thy smiling countenance, and I can go on my way rejoicing. Oh, thou Prince of Life ! receive a poor worthless sinner. Thou only art my Master, my Guide, my Deliverer, my Portion ! May I never — no, never — deny or dishonor Thee. Take Thou possession of my soul; turn out every rival, and reign over all my affections with undisputed authority.'

On the 25 th of September they landed at Montreal. They were met and cordially received by the pastor of the Baptist Church and other Christian friends, and the way for work was promptly opened to the zealous young minister. Thomas Smart, Esq., of Brockville, was at that time in Montreal, who

Xii BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT BOYD.

suggested to Mr. Boyd that he accompany him home, especiallyas a Baptist Association was to meet near Brockville that week. The invitation was accepted, and Mr Boyd soon found himself in the presence of the Association at Augusta. He describes it as composed of ministers, for the most part without education, but full of zeal and self-denying labors. He was at once invited to preach, and then as promptly engaged as a missionary among the weak Churches, and to carry the Gospel into, the most destitute parts of the country. This was just what he wanted. He had great delight in laying foundations and building up new Churches — to use his own words, " instead of looking for a place, to make one."

For a time the little family began housekeeping at Farmersville, a village central to his work. The people among whom their lot was thus cast were poor, and living in primitive ways; but they were kind and hospitable beyond measure. But the missionary life was not to be long continued.

Brockville, on the St. Lawrence, had no Baptist Church. Mr. Boyd preached there on a certain Sabbath, and again on the following evening. So marked were the signs of deep spiritual interest it was resolved to go on with a series of special services. For months the revival went on with great power and many souls were converted. A council was called and a Church organized. Mr. Boyd received and accepted a call ta become the pastor. During the Winter of 1844 the services were held in the old court house, which soon became too small for the rapidly increasing congregation. During the Summer services were held in the open air, in a grove on the banks of the river. In these services a new class of hearers was. reached, those who had never gone into a church, hovered at first around the edges of these out-door congregations, and in many cases were convicted by the Spirit and brought into the fellowship of the Church. In the Fall a stone church was erected, and on the 27th of October it was dedicated to the worship of God. Early in his ministry in Brockville he began that overflow missionary labor, which had made his work so successful in Stirling.