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Comforting Words

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Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 22

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Comforting Words.

By Eliza H. Morton

BY ELIZA H. MORTON.
The Bible is a pure, sparkling fountain of everlasting truth. The words of God to man, as inscribed on the printed page, are well calculated to stir the depths of feeling, and to impart comfort to troubled hearts.
The history of man during the early ages of the world is a subject fraught with interest and glowing with divine mercy. The prophecies present dim outlines of God’s eternal purposes concerning this earth and its inhabitants. The thrilling story of the life and death of the Prince of peace is strangely pathetic and soul-subduing, and the Scriptures all point to the far-off “hills of home.”
The love of our God finds expression in sweet words of invitation, which though repeated over a thousand times, never lose their power or beauty: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Blessed words, well calculated to reach the deafest ear and melt the hardest heart; and then how tender are the words of entreaty: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”
“Cool flowing waters” stream from “Zion’s hill,” the shadow of the cross is refreshing rest, and the touch of Heaven allays the burning fever of life. The “wings of the Almighty” and the “everlasting arms” cover and uphold even as it hath been declared, while words of promise point to joy which is beyond all thought.
The sun may refuse to shine, and earthly homes become strangely dark; but the heart can sing of “the glory of the city where they need no sun or moon to lighten them, but where Jehovah is the everlasting light, and the long day of mourning is at an end.” The poor pilgrim may be thinly clad, and compelled to face chilly blasts from frozen lands; but he knows that “raiment richer than the morn” awaits him, and the thought imparts warmth to his soul.
Truly God’s word is a lamp to our feet, at all times and in all places. Human lips may breathe human thoughts, but there is no balm there. The “oil of joy” cometh not from below. Songs and gladness are the children of the day, and the light of the morning cometh from above. The famished spirit cannot be satisfied with earthly bread; it craves heavenly manna. The impatient weariness of life can find no repose among the roses of earth; the “rest that remaineth” for the faithful can alone soothe and bless. The fevered heart can find no water in earth’s wells; it longs for the fount that can cool and refresh. The sin-sick soul can find no physician among the learned of earth; the great Healer can alone quicken the tide of life, and cause everlasting health to bud and bloom.
The Christian can feel the force and beauty of the following lines concerning God’s word:—
“A hive of honeyed treasure Distilled from Eden’s bowers, Where Heaven-born hope with pleasure May feed in wintry hours. “Drink for the soul that’s thirsty, Comfort for those that fear, Balm for the heart that’s bursting, May all be gathered here. “What added boon is wanting? The blessing God must give, The gift of faith, by granting “To read, believe, and live.”
Battle Creek, Mich.