十月四日

到了晚上才有光明。（亞14：7）

我們常用悲苦的眼光往前看我們的晚年，忘記到了晚上才有光明。有很多聖徒一生當中最好的時代乃是老年的時候。當水手到達永生的岸邊時必有和風吹拂他的面頰，海中的波浪也少了，雖然下臨深淵，但仍平靜异常。他老年的壇上已不再有青年時代的熊熊而烈烈的火花，但仍存留著純青而熱誠的火焰。當他進入那美地、那樂土時，簡直是在地如天。那裏有天使服役，有靈風熏陶，有樂園的奇花，有撒拉弗的歌聲。有的人在這裏居留的年份多些，有的只有幾小時就離開了，但那是地上的伊甸。我們當渴慕早日投到它的蔭下，等到果子成熟，我們的盼望就得心滿意足。落日比正午時更大，當它西下之時雲霞千縷，金光萬道，齊來簇擁著它。苦痛不能傷損暮年的平靜和甜美，因爲軟弱時必有完全的力量忍受那一切，生命到了夜晚之時必飽餐上好經驗的佳果，靈魂也準備享受安息。

主的民也必在死時享受光明。不信的人悲哀萬狀，陰影降臨；黑夜來到，生命告終。信的人却不是這樣，黑夜快要度完，真正的白晝就在眼前。光，永生的光，天父慈面的恩光已經來到了。在你的床上抬起腿來吧！看那迎接你的衆聖！天使護送你。親愛的，再會吧！你去了，你在招手。啊！現在光明已經來到。珠門大開，黃金街在碧玉光中光彩奪目。我們合上眼睛，但你能看到所不能看到的；再會吧！弟兄，你在晚上有了光明，這是我們現在所沒有的。

October 4

"At evening time it shall be light."--Zechariah 14:7

Oftentimes we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner's cheek as he nears the shore of immortality, fewer waves ruffle his sea, quiet reigns, deep, still and solemn. From the altar of age the flashes of the fire of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The pilgrims have reached the land Beulah, that happy country, whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, celestial gales blow over it, flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with seraphic music. Some dwell here for years, and others come to it but a few hours before their departure, but it is an Eden on earth. We may well long for the time when we shall recline in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope until the time of fruition comes. The setting sun seems larger than when aloft in the sky, and a splendour of glory tinges all the clouds which surround his going down. Pain breaks not the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life's evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest.

The Lord's people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no, crieth faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come, the light of immortality, the light of a Father's countenance. Gather up thy feet in the bed, see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft thee away. Farewell, beloved one, thou art gone, thou wavest thine hand. Ah, now it is light. The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper light. We cover our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen; adieu, brother, thou hast light at even-tide, such as we have not yet.