Grace Gems

[nChrist]

Lawful recreations

(James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with
the King of Terrors" March 3, 1778)

Time is one of the talents put into every man's hand,
and is more precious than we are well aware of.

To prepare for death, and to improve for eternity--may
well employ our time though ever so long. O! then, how
may my heart weep to think how much precious time
I have trifled away! O to be wise in all time coming!

Lawful recreations are allowed by God. But in this,
how soon may we go beyond what is lawful! Too much
pleasure in them, too much time spent about them--
spoils all. When our amusements become a part of
our employment, or call us away from something more
necessary or noble--it is high time to drop them altogether!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Lawful pursuits

(Archibald Alexander, "Thoughts on Religious Experience")

Lawful pursuits are more frequently a snare than those
which are manifestly sinful. It is a duty "to provide things
honest in the sight of all men"--but while this object is
industriously pursued, the love of the world gradually
gains ground. The possession of wealth is then viewed
as important. Eternal things fade out of view, or viewed
as at a great distance, and the impression from them is
faint. Worldly entanglements are experienced; the
spiritual life is weakened; a sickly state commences;
and a sad declension ensues!

Alas! What a forlorn state he is now in! Where is the burning
zeal with which he commenced his course? Where now are the
comforts of piety, with which he was so entirely satisfied, that
the world was viewed as an empty bauble? Where now is his
spirit of prayer, which made this duty his delight? Where now
is his love of the Bible, which drew him aside often from worldly
business to peruse its sacred instructions? O! what a change!

Reader, it is perhaps your own case. "You are the man!" who
has thus fallen, and left your first love. "Repent, therefore, and
do the first works!"--lest some heavy judgment fall upon you!

God holds a rod for His own children, and when the warnings
and exhortations of the Word, and the secret whispers of the
Spirit are neglected, some painful providence is sent--some
calamity, which has so much natural connection with the sin,
as to indicate that it is intended as a chastisement for it.

These strokes are often very cutting and severe--but they
must be so to render them effectual. "God disciplines us
for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline
seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however,
it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

The death of my dear wife

(James Meikle , "A Periodic Interview with the
 King of Terrors" November 6, 1781. Meikle
 was a surgeon. His wife died on October 14.)

Two weeks ago I took off a poor patient's leg,
with a view to preserve life and recover health.
The operation was painful and much dreaded,
but now seeming to do well, is approved of.

Infinite wisdom, then, in the death of my
dear wife, has noble ends in view--
  to wean me from the world,
  to loosen my affections from the creature,
  to preserve the graces in my soul alive,
  to prepare me for death,
  to ripen me for glory.

O! then, as I am walking on the brink of eternity
--may my meditation soar toward eternal things,
and may my latter end never be out of my mind.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Some of you will be cast into the furnace!

(Archibald Alexander, "Growth in Grace" 1844)

For your more rapid growth in grace, some of
you will be cast into the furnace of affliction.

Sickness, bereavement, bad conduct of children and
relatives, loss of property or of reputation--may come
upon you unexpectedly and press heavily on you.

In these trying circumstances exercise patience and
fortitude. Be more solicitous to have the affliction
sanctified, than removed. Glorify God while in the
fire of adversity. That faith which is most tried is
commonly most pure and precious.

Learn from Christ how you ought to suffer.

Let perfect submission to the will of God be aimed at.

Never indulge a murmuring or discontented spirit.

Repose with confidence on the promises.

Commit all your cares to God.

Make known your requests to Him by fervent prayer.

Let go your too eager grasp of the world.

Become familiar with death and the grave.

Wait patiently until your eternal change comes;
but desire not to live a day longer than may be
for the glory of God.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

What would we think?

(James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with
the King of Terrors" December 20, 1791)

What would we think of those who had lost
their nearest and dearest relative, carried off
by ruffians--and yet felt no alarm?

What would we think of those who could feast
cheerfully at their sumptuous table--while their
friends were destitute of all the comforts of life?

What would we think of those who could
sleep pleasantly on their downy beds--while
their friends were denied the least slumber,
by the torturing hand of their cruel foes?

What would we think of those who could
quaff and carouse with sparkling wine--while
their friends could not procure a drop of water
for their scorched tongue?

Now, to apply.

Where are any ruffians--like the infernal fiends?

Where is a state so utterly destitute of all
comforts--as the state of damnation?

Where are any tortures--like the torments
of hell, and of damned devils?

And where, but in the burning lake, are sufferers
so completely miserable--who cannot even get a
drop of water to cool their tormented tongue?

And yet the death of those sinners, who lived
without God, and died without hope--makes
no impression on their surviving friends!

"The rich man also died and was buried. In hell,
 where he was in torment . . ." Luke 16:22-23

 

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Why am I so averse to die?

(James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview
 with the King of Terrors")

Why am I so averse to die?

Why not leap for joy at an invitation to go to
my Father's kingdom, and my Father's throne?

The troubles which attend me, and the sins
which attack me--make me weary of this life.

And the joys that await me--make me
long for my heavenly home.

O! it is a sad proof that I know not . . .
  the emptiness of the creature,
  nor the sinfulness of sin,
  nor the nature of the heavenly bliss,
  nor the excellency of communion with God
--that I do not loathe this life more,
nor long for my heavenly home more.

The heir of an eternal world should not care
much about a world which passes away.

Such oceans of bliss, such rivers of joy and
spiritual delight, such wonders of glory and
overflowings of love--shall be revealed to,
and pour in on the soul--as shall quite blot
out the remembrance of all the trifling
distresses of our transitory life!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

I daily fail

(James Meikle, "A Secret Survey into the
State of the Soul")

My daily vain thoughts and errors who can
understand, for they are innumerable? Yet
my daily complaint is against them, "O who
shall deliver me from this body of death?"
and my continual struggle is to oppose them.

These things make me humble, and a daily
suppliant to free grace, and give a continued
demonstration of my own abominable vileness.

I daily fail, but I daily bewail myself, and
daily dip myself in the fountain opened for
sin and for uncleanness.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

My pleasant infant

(James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with
the King of Terrors" March 7, 1797)

Our youngest child for some weeks past has
been getting teeth, and was seized with a
fever. And though sometimes a little better
--yet the fever returned and cut her off.

Yesterday she was interred.

Here divine sovereignty is clearly manifested--
I am spared for many years, but my pleasant
infant is mingled with the dead!

In a little while--it will be eternity with us all!

Our best wisdom will be--to hold a loose grip on
every comfort which can perish, and to fasten
our grip on eternal things. The more we have
our hearts in heaven--the less will the troubles
of time distress us.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[airIam2worship]

My pleasant infant

(James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with
the King of Terrors" March 7, 1797)

Our youngest child for some weeks past has
been getting teeth, and was seized with a
fever. And though sometimes a little better
--yet the fever returned and cut her off.

Yesterday she was interred.

Here divine sovereignty is clearly manifested--
I am spared for many years, but my pleasant
infant is mingled with the dead!

In a little while--it will be eternity with us all!

Our best wisdom will be--to hold a loose grip on
every comfort which can perish, and to fasten
our grip on eternal things. The more we have
our hearts in heaven--the less will the troubles
of time distress us.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

This is so sad, it reminds me of my pleasnt infant who lived only 4 days   

[nChrist]

This is so sad, it reminds me of my pleasant infant who lived only 4 days   

Sister Maria,

YES, it reminded me of the baby my daughter lost recently. Our comfort is that they are with our precious Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. Their Heavenly Father will love them and provide a beautiful home for eternity.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Hebrews 10:23-25 NASB  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

[airIam2worship]

That is my comfort as well, Brother.

[nChrist]

An amazing reverse of circumstances!

(James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with
 the King of Terrors" January 6, 1795)

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple
 and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his
 gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with
 sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's
 table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores."
    Luke 16:19-21

Worldly people may make a figure in the things
of time. But when I look into eternity, I find an
amazing reverse of circumstances.

The most afflicted saint in this world--
is happy above conception in eternity!

The most wealthy sinner in this world--is
miserable beyond description in eternity!

"The rich man also died and was buried. In hell,
 where he was in torment, he looked up and saw
 Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So
 he called to him--Father Abraham, have pity on
 me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger
 in water and cool my tongue, because I am in
 agony in this fire!" Luke 16:22-24

What then are a few moments of sorrow--compared
to an eternity of communion with God and the Lamb!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

    Happy here, and happy to all eternity!

    (Octavius Winslow, "The Christian's Joint Heirship")

    It is in the heart of our God to give us the chief and the best.

    Had there been a greater, and a better, and a sweeter,
    and a more satisfying portion than Himself--then that
    portion would have been ours. But since there is not, nor
    can be, a greater than Himself--the love, the everlasting,
    changeless love that He bears to us, constrains Him to
    give Himself as our God, our Portion, our All.

    And have we not experienced Him to be God all-sufficient?

    Have we ever found a lack in Him?

    Oh no! God is all-sufficient, and no arid wilderness,
    and no dreary land have we experienced Him to be.

    There is in Him . . .
      an all sufficiency of love to comfort us;
      an all sufficiency of strength to uphold us;
      an all sufficiency of power to protect us;
      an all sufficiency of good to satisfy us;
      an all sufficiency of wisdom to guide us;
      an all sufficiency of glory to reward us;
      and an all sufficiency of bliss to make us
    happy here, and happy to all eternity!

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

Some noble lessons

(James Meikle, "A Secret Survey into the
 State of the Soul" January 2, 1794)

I am taught some noble lessons:

1. To expect no solid or lasting happiness
 in anything but in God.

2. To see how much we may be mistaken
 in our opinion of men and things.

3. To expect nothing but disappointment and pain in
 the world--and so to be prepared for misfortunes.

4. To build upon no present state of things; for a storm
 of troubles may gather from any place, and at any time.

5. In all things to rejoice in being forever with
 God, who will eternally wipe all tears from our
 eyes, and sorrow from our hearts!

 

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________

[nChrist]

God's jewels

(Alexander Moody Stuart)

"They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the
 day when I make up my jewels." Malachi 3:17

Here and there, amid the turmoil of a world that
knows not God--humble believers may be found
--pilgrims and strangers--dwelling in the world and
using it, but not of it; born of another parentage
from those around them; leading a life peculiar to
themselves, secret in its essence, but manifest in
its workings and its fruits. These are God's jewels,
which He is gathering, and preparing, and polishing
for Himself.



A lily among thorns

(Alexander Moody Stuart)

"Yes, compared to other women, my beloved is
 like a lily among thorns." Song of Songs 2:2

How strikingly does the comparison, "A lily among
thorns," seem exemplified when true believers are
seen dwelling amid the worldliness and excitement
of earthly life! The thorns surround, but do not choke
them--for they are deeply rooted in Christ. The
heavenly dew finds its way through all hindrances
to their souls, and the graces of the Spirit are shown
forth in a life fragrant with holiness.

____________________

From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
____________________