a Watchword

We cannot be long in one stay. A voice ever sounds in our ear, “Arise, let us go hence.”

Even when we have conversed on the sweetest themes, or have enjoyed the holiest ordinances, we have not yet come to our eternal abode; still are we on the march, and the trumpet sounds. “Arise, let us go hence.”

Our Lord was under marching-orders, and he knew it: for him there was no stay upon this earth.

Hear how he calls himself, and all his own, to move on, though bloody sweat and bloody death be in the way.

I. OUR MASTER’S WATCHWORD. “Arise, let us go hence.”

By this stirring word—

1. He expressed his desire to obey the Father. “As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”

   • He was not hindered by expected suffering.
   • He did not start back, though in that suffering there would be the special element of his Father’s forsaking him.
   • He did not hesitate though death was in near prospect.
   • He was eager to do the will of the Father, and make all Heaven and earth know how entirely he yielded himself to the Father.

2. He indicated his readiness to meet the arch-enemy. “The prince of this world comes. Arise, let us go hence.”

   • He was prepared for the test. He “has nothing in me.”
   • He was eager to overthrow his dominion.

3. He revealed his practical activity. All through the chapter observe our Lord’s energy. He is ever on the move. “I go. I will come again. I will do it. I will pray. Arise, let us go hence.”

   • He prefers action to the most sacred rites, and so leaves the Supper-table with this word on his lips.
   • He prefers action to the sweetest converse. “I will not talk much with you. Arise, let us go hence.”

4. He manifested his all-consuming love to us.

   • He was straitened until he had accomplished our redemption.
   • He could not rest in the company of his best-beloved until their ransom was paid.
   • He would not sit at God’s right hand until he had felt the shame of the cross, and the bitterness of death. Hebrews 12:2.

II. OUR OWN MOTTO. “Arise, let us go hence.”

Ever onward, ever forward, we must go. Exodus 14:15.

1. Out of the world when first called by grace. 2 Corinthians 6:17.

   • How clear the call! How prompt should be our obedience!
   • Jesus is without the camp, we go forth unto him. Hebrews 13:13.
   • We must arouse ourselves to make the separation. “Arise, let us go hence.”

2. Out of forbidden associations, if, as believers, we find ourselves like Lot in Sodom. “Escape for your life”: Genesis 19:17.

3. Out of present attainments when growing in grace. Philippians 3:13, 14.

4. Out of all rejoicing in self. There we must never stop for a single instant. Self-satisfaction should startle us.

5. To work, anywhere for Jesus. We should go away from Christian company and home comforts, to win souls. Mark 16:15.

6. To defend the faith where it is most assailed. We should be prepared to quit our quiet, to contend with the foe. Jude 3.

7. To suffer when the Lord lays affliction upon us. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

8. To die when the voice from above calls us home. 2 Timothy 4:6.

   • O sinner, where would you go if suddenly summoned?
   • O saint, what better could happen to you than to arise and go hence?

Trumpet Calls

It was well said once by a remarkable man, and the words are worth remembering,—“Bear in mind that you are just then beginning to go wrong when you are a little pleased with yourself because you are going right.” Let us watch against this as a snare of Satan, and endeavor ever to maintain the apostolic attitude: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself.” And let me caution you not to make the mistake of supposing that this self-delight can be effectually guarded against by a mere use of the recognized theological expressions duly ascribing all the merit and all the praise to God. These are too often merely the garments of spiritual pride, and by no means must they be mistaken for true humility.—W. H. M. H. Aitken.

I heard a friend of mine, not long ago, relate an incident, which I will venture to repeat, as well as I remember it. He was having an earnest conversation, upon the necessity of full consecration, with a lady who professed to know Christ as her Savior, but shrank from yielding herself fully to him. At last she said, with more outspoken honesty, I am afraid, than many who mean exactly the same thing display, “I don’t want to give myself right over to Christ; for, if I were to do so, who knows what he might do with me? For anything I know, he might send me out to China.” Years had passed away when my friend received a most deeply interesting letter from this very lady, telling of how her long conflict with God had come to an end, and what happiness and peace she now felt in the complete surrender of herself to her Lord; and referring to her former conversation she said, “And now I am my own no longer, I have made myself over to God without reserve, and he is sending me to China.”—W. H. M. H. Aitken.

Pressed on all sides by the enemy, the Austrian General Melas sent a messenger to Suwarrow, asking where he should “retire.” Suwarrow wrote with a pencil, “Forward.”

That pencil wrote a word immortal—a word which, in the memory and admiration of mankind, shall outlive a thousand boastful records on stoned marble—a word which no lapse of ages can erase.

The zealous are impatient of any hindrances. As Edmund Burke said to the electors of Bristol, “Applaud us when we run; console us when we fall; cheer us when we recover; but let us pass on—for God’s sake, let us pass on!”

History tells us that, when the great Roman Catholic missionary—the apostle of the east—was lying on his dying bed, among the barbarous people whom he loved so well, his passing spirit was busy about his work, and even in the article of death, while the glazing eye saw no more clearly, and the ashen lips had begun to stiffen into eternal silence, visions of further conquests flashed before him, and his last word was “Amplius,“—onward. Brethren, let this be our motto, and our cry, “Onward.” Until the last wandering sheep, far out upon the bleak mountain-side, hears Christ’s voice, and is gathered into his fold.—A. H. Baynes.

We must be careful not to get out of the sound of the Master’s voice. It is for us to watch and wait for his orders.

When adjutant of my regiment there were always orderlies on duty at the orderly-room. In a garrison town, such as Dublin, I always had two. Their place was just outside the orderly-room door, within sound of my voice. They were watching and waiting for orders; they took letters, messages, etc. They were not always carrying messages, but they could not go away without my leave, and it was their duty to be always ready. They were doing their duty while watching and waiting, as much as when actually carrying a letter or message. So with the servant of Christ—“Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily … waiting at the posts of my doors.”

A lady, who had been maid of honor to the Queen, said that it used to be her great delight to try and place herself near the Queen, that she might have the opportunity of doing any little service for her sovereign.—From “Communion and Conflict,” by Captain Dawson.