The Walk to Emmaus. "Abide with me; fast falls the eventide ; N no page of history is there recorded so thrilling a narrative as that by the evangelist Luke, of the two disciples who walked together in the silent. eventide to the village of Emmaus; and perhaps. there is no other which has, in all ages, afforded so much joy and consolation to many of Christ's weak and timid followers. Drawn together by the sympathy of sorrow, these two disciples communed with each other and talked of all "the things that had happened," and doubting that He from whom they had expected such great things should have died an ignominious death. In the weakness of their faith they could not see that the time of their sorrow and suffering was the ushering in of a new and glorious era of gospel life and liberty. No; they had lost a Friend, a Master. Their grief was for the loss of Him whom they had learned to love and trust, to lean upon and follow. His parting words, "It is expedient for you that I go away," were full of mystery to them, and no visions of glory in the future could obliterate the deep sorrow of the present. Sad in countenance, but sadder in heart, they went on their lonely way, till joined by a stranger who sought to know the cause of their sadness. And to him they unburdened the story of their sorrow. "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel," and "this is the third day since these things were done." Did no glimmering of the truth creep into their hearts as His loving words of power and wisdom fell upon their ears, making their hearts to burn within them, and when the comfort and joy they had felt in His wise counsels constrained them to offer Him the shelter of their home? "Abide with us, for the day is far spent." "And He went in to tarry with them." At last He stood revealed. "He took bread and blessed it." Then burst upon them the full knowledge of Him as He vanished out of their sight. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him-knew Him not only as the Master who had led them so long, as the friend and companion of their journeyings, but as the Messiah, the Saviour of men. Their doubts were gone, the scales had fallen from their eyes; and in Jesus who was crucified, and who had risen, they saw the Redeemer of Israel. Well might they exclaim, "Did not our hearts burn within us when He talked with us by the way?" How precious to all who truly love Him are the communications of the Saviour! Fellowship with Him is at the root of all spiritual life and vigour. In communion with Him we learn something of the sweetness of His love, something of His unbounded tenderness and mercy; we draw life from the fountain of life, and "the water which He gives shall be in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life." May we not learn some lessons from this record? something for our encouragement as we go on the journey of life? It was natural that the events of the few last days should have shrouded the hearts of all the true followers of Jesus in sorrow; but these two, as they walked, were giving way to doubt and fear. They had trusted to see Jesus manifest Himself in power and glory as the Messiah whom the prophets foretold, and they could not understand His humiliation and suffering, or believe that He had accomplished the redemption of His people. It is when we cannot understand God's dealings with us that He would have us fully trust Him. When "He moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform," it is that He would have us draw near to Him and seek the comforting and sustaining influences of His good Spirit. Sorrow in some measure or other must be our portion here; and what seemed the life of our life, the light of our day, the joy of our being, may be suddenly removed, and our sun go down in clouds and darkness. Our eyes may be holden that we see not His loving hand nor trace the working of His love; and we pass on in sadness because we cannot understand His dealings, and we will not trust Him. To these two disciples the day seemed sinking down in gloom and sorrow: doubt oppressed them; but how tenderly Jesus bore with their doubts, and how patiently He expounded to them the things concerning Himself! In His presence fear was exchanged for perfect trust, sorrow for fulness of joy. In the act of blessing them He vanished out of their sight. So the withdrawal of His presence at last was that in fuller, richer measure the Spirit might be poured from on high; and they, instead of being banded in one little company as they had been, were "to go forth into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"-to spread the glorious truth of His death and resurrection. Now their eyes were opened they could obey the Master's command unshrinkingly; it was no idle tale they had to deliver. The Lord had risen indeed, and the work of man's redemption was complete. Now, with a fuller, deeper thanksgiving, they could take up their cross and follow in the Master's footsteps, for to them "at eventide it was light." Christ's presence and their joy in it strengthened them; and so as we realise His presence with us, as we scek by fellowship with Him to gain strength for all the conflict of life, we shall find Him willing to manifest Himself unto us, to invigorate us by His quickening power, to remove our doubts, to make our love deep and lasting, and our peace in Him to flow like a river. Let us, then, strive after a more perfect trust, a more childlike confidence; and since we are sure that God is faithful, and His word remains sure, "Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward," let our hearts ever be ready to respond, "Thou art my portion, O Lord." We may learn also to make use of all the opportunities we have for edifying and encouraging each other in the Christian course. A truly Christian friend is one of the greatest blessings God gives us; and by pleasant and free communion one with another we derive increasing light and strength. Paul, in writing to the Romans, says, "Strive together in your prayers for me, that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed;" also, "Follow after the things wherewith one may edify another;" and, "I long to see you, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me.” Thus, each time of reunion was to be a time and opportunity for mutual benefit, when, through the influence of the Holy Spirit, the experiences of each should be promotive of their growth in grace and knowledge, and for the building up and establishing the weak in "their most holy faith." The common topics of daily conversation may be made channels for Divine instruction. Even the trials and perplexities, the joys and pleasures, that come in our path may be, by our use of them, ministering to our piety. Often have the sorrowing spirits of those whom God has chastened been thus cheered and comforted by the sympathy or counsel of fellow-Christians; and there are none so fitted to administer such consolation as those who have themselves trodden the rough path of sorrow, and have been themselves comforted of God." Let all such seek ever to remember the apostolic injunction, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." 66 As the two disciples walked together to Emmaus, reasoning of all the things that had happened, and in close and friendly communion, Jesus Himself drew near. And so His presence sanctifies all earthly intercourse, and makes the words that we utter in feebleness words of profit and blessing. He has promised His presence "Wherever two or three are gathered in His name," and the comprehensiveness of His promise may well cheer us in our endeavours to make the seasons of communion times of refreshing from His presence. After Mrs. Hannah More had been led to seek the Saviour, and to devote her life to Him, her biographer tells us, "God's service was her delight; His disciples were her chosen friends. She was on the alert to seize every opportunity for good. How prudently, but courageously, she drops a word in season, and how sweetly the accents of Christian consolation and hope flow from her lips in the chamber of sickness or the house of mourning." Again, "She found something to say to every person she knew; the business of the day furnished ample topics of profitable allusions." And she herself found, when in the chamber of sickness, the sweets of Christian friendship. To one friend she spoke of the happiness of meeting Christians in glory, but added, "Rest in God and a full enjoyment of His presence are the ideas that chiefly present themselves to my mind." Of that eminent servant of God, Dr. Morrison, we read in his memoir, "It was among the poor, when in trouble, that he most impressed me with the priceless value of a genial-minded, sympathising pastor. There was scarcely a domestic or personal trial but they could safely trust him with it, and find in his manly tenderness and wise counsels a great solace. I have seen him with some of these distressed brethren and sisters, and felt that I knew better, after such interviews, how to behave myself in the house of God." Truly it is in the society of such friends as these that Jesus Himself draws near and blesses us, and it is with such that the highest happiness earth can know may be enjoyed. By such genial intercourse the hands that hang down are lifted up, and the feeble knees are strengthened, and the weak, fainting heart encouraged to trust, and not fear. But besides the privilege of thus proving the blessing of true friendship and communion in sorrow, our joys and mercies may be ever remembered as setting forth to us our Father's goodness and care over us, and reminding us of His love and mercy. And what occasion Christians ever have to provoke one another to a grateful spirit. Our daily |