75. Angelic Beings

Angelic Beings

BIBLE-RECORDED VISITS.—When angels have come they have spoken to a patriarch in the door of his tent—to a distressed husbandman threshing his wheat under an oak—to persecuted apostles in prison. But can you think of an instance of divine or angelic visitation to a king on his throne—to a nobleman in his palace—to a rich man surrounded with splendors? An angel once came to a seer who was trusting to his own wisdom, and trying hard to outwit Omniscience; but it was with a drawn sword. An angel once came to a king on a throne, but it was to smite him with worms, so that he gave up the ghost.

THEY STAND ABOUT ME.—Dr. Fowler said: “I went once to see a dying girl whom the world had roughly treated. She never had a father, she never knew her mother. Her home had been the poorhouse, her couch a hospital-cot, and yet, as she had staggered in her weakness there, she had picked up a little of the alphabet, enough to spell out the New Testament, and she had touched the hem of the Master’s garment, and had learned a new song. And I never trembled in the presence of such majesty as I did in the majesty of her presence, as she came near the crossing. ‘Oh, sir!’ she said, ‘God sends His angels, I have read in His Word, “Are they not ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation?” And when I am leaning in my cot they stand about me on this floor; and when the darkness comes, and this side aches so severely, He comes, for He says, “Lo, I am with you,” and He slips His soft hand under my aching side, and I sleep, I rest.’“

TWO CUPS OF WATER.—A dying Christian soldier requested the nurse to bring two cups of water, one for himself and another for his friend, who, he said, had come a long distance, and must be tired. The startled nurse said, “I don’t see anybody here.” “Don’t you see him?” said the soldier, pointing into the vacant air. “There is some one standing by the bedside.” Soon the soldier’s freed spirit and its angel escort sped towards the deathless land.

MARY J. HOWES.—”Hark, mother! hark! They’re singing. Oh, such singing! I see angels! They all have long white robes and golden crowns.”

DR. BATEMAN.—”I surely must be going now, my strength sinks so fast. What glory! the angels are waiting for me.”

CLEMENT BROWN.—”I see one, two, three, four angels waiting their commission. I see them as plainly as I see you, Hester. They are robed in white.”

PASTOR H. Y. HUMELBAUGH.—”I was alone when four angels came and stood there at the foot of my bed. After standing and looking upon me they went up again. Yes, I was wide awake. I tell you I did really see them. Farewell, pulpit, farewell, brethren.”

BAUDICON OGUIER, A MARTYR.—”Be of good courage, father. Behold, I see the Heavens opened and millions of bright angels ready to receive us.”

PASTOR JOHN OXTOBY.—”Oh, what have I beheld? Three shining forms stood beside me, whose garments were so bright, and whose countenances were so glorious that I never saw anything to compare with them.”