Paradise of the adjoining glens of Ephraim and Manasseh the thirsty spiritual land had become pools of water. Philip the Evangelist had been specially sent to this scene of revival. He was preaching with acceptance; hundreds were hanging on his lips: for we read, " Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them; and the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did, and there was great joy in that city" This religious awakening, commencing in Samaria as the capital, extended among the surrounding villages and towns; Shechem doubtless participated in the shower that had come down in its season-the "shower of blessing." In the midst of his career of usefulness, an angel-a delegate from the upper sanctuary-is sent on a special mission to this greatly owned and successful minister of God. Strange to say, it is to arrest him in the field of his abundant labour, just when he is scattering the good seed with bounteous hand, and seeing it springing up under the rain and dews of heaven. It is a mandate, however, from which there can be no evasion, and he immediately obeys the summons. But what is this new sphere of more imperative duty? Why are these souls, hungering for the bread of life, left all at once unsuccoured? why these fields. abandoned for the time by this faithful reaper, just when inviting the sickle, already "white unto the har vest?" It is, that one weary spirit may be comforted;— that one stray sheaf may be gathered into the heavenly garner; and not until that solitary traveller in the Gaza desert is sent on his way rejoicing, does Philip return to his labours. Yes, we again say, reverting to the narrative of St John, beautiful testimony to the yearning personal love of the Saviour. "He must needs go;" and that 'need' was to polish one stone for the building of His temple, one gem for the embellishment of His crown ;-to give to one shipwrecked abandoned vessel, drifting fast to destruction amid wild tempests and wintry seas, rest and safety and repose in the haven of His own infinitely pure presence and compassion. It reminds of what is so often seen, and is always so touching, a mother's tender affection for her pining invalid-the weary suffering inmate of the sick-chamber-the caged bird of the family, with drooping wing and wailing note and ruffled plumage. The hardier plants are left to battle with the storm; but her tenderest care is lavished on the sickly flower prematurely drooping. The others are for the time forgotten, as she watches the blanching of these tender leaves, the early falling of these cherished blossoms. Or more touching still, when with bated breath she speaks of the blank in her household, and how, with all her gratitude for remaining blessings, her heart of hearts wanders to the silent churchyard after that which was lost! 'Brethren, if any of you (any one of you) do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over ONE sinner that repenteth." God still "setteth the solitary in families, and bringeth out those that are bound with chains." Is there not the richest and tenderest encouragement here for the guiltiest? The "needs be" which brought the Saviour of the world to that wayside well of old, may bring Him still, in His ineffable compassion, to the chief of sinners-to manifest the same divine solicitude, the same personal love. Let none deem themselves beyond the pale of His divine power and sympathy and succour, as if that great Central Sun had lost its sovereign control over the wandering star plunging amid the ever-deepening darkness; or as if He had altered or modified His own saying, which in this narrative passage has received so sublime an illustration—“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Rather, as with your eye on the well of Sychar, and on the compassion and pity garnered in the divine heart, you exclaim, "Can it be that He will receive ‘ME, even ME?"" go, turn the words of the simple but beautiful hymn into a prayer : "Pass me not, O gracious Father, "Pass me not, O tender Saviour— I am longing for Thy favour; "Have I long in sin been sleeping- "Love of God so pure and changeless, Blood of Christ so rich and free, Grace of God so strong and boundless, Magnify it all in me- Even me. "Pass me not-this lost one bringing, Bind my heart, O Lord, to Thee; Whilst the streams of life are springing, Gladden others-gladden me ! Even ME." |