03.01. Bright and Fair!

1. Bright and Fair! The glorious angels are bright and fair. They stand in God’s own light, and reflect His glory. They are as bright as a flame of fire in His service — and fair, very fair, in the beauty of perfect holiness.

But, thank God, even here on earth are angels too. In a world where many dark shadows cast gloom and sorrow, on every side there are "angels bright and fair" — men and women illumined by the glorious beams of the Sun of Righteousness, perfect in the loveliness which the Lord has put upon them, ministering spirits too, carrying messages of mercy, doing deeds of unselfish kindness, leaving behind something of Heaven’s own joy and light wherever they go.

Many a young lady, who has given herself to this Christ-like work of nursing the sick, and who does it in a kindly, loving spirit, does prove, by her tender, careful handling, as a very angel from Heaven to hundreds of poor sufferers in hospitals and elsewhere. But not only in hospitals, but in the homes of the poor, among kindred and friends, and everywhere, may there be the same spirit. I well remember one such. The freshness, the early bloom of the "teens" had long passed, but the youth renewed like the eagle’s was ever seen in her. As I have watched the sparkling light of Christian joy gleaming in her eye, as I have heard her sing so heartily the songs of Zion, as I have marked her cheerful readiness to do the King’s business, or run on the King’s errands, my inmost thought has often been that I could better conceive the brightness of the angels before God’s throne, doing His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His Word.

Truly her life was an answer to her own question and wish —

"What would you be?"
A blessing to each one surrounding me,
A chalice of dew to the weary heart,
A sunbeam of joy bidding sorrow depart,
To the storm-tossed vessel, a beacon-light,
A nightingale song in the darkest night,
A beckoning hand to a far-off goal,
An angel of love to each friendless soul.

Such would I be;
Oh that such happiness were for me!

"What would you be?"
With these alone were no rest for me.
I would be my Savior’s loving child,
With a heart set free from its passions wild,
Rejoicing in Him and His own sweet ways;
An echo of Heaven’s unceasing praise,
A mirror here of His light and love,
And a polished gem in His crown above.

Such would I be,
Your, O Savior, and one with Thee!
Francis Havergal And if the rose has still the dew of the morning upon it, if it is still the bud which is "no vain sacrifice," if you have the spring and elasticity of youth — will there not be a double glory and a double beauty, if there be this likewise, the light of Divine grace, the gladsome joy of a heart which has found its true portion beyond the skies, and its work below like that of the holy ones who are sent forth to minister to the children of men? Would you indeed be "bright and fair?" Remember the angels are such in the sunshine of God’s perpetual favor. They know no sin, and they fear no separation. Through ages past and for ages yet to come, the love of God is their endless theme, their spring of constant joy. But how can it be thus with you? You have led no sinless life. Though perhaps shielded from evil in the bosom of a Christian home, nurtured with tender care in the pastures of truth, committed in your infancy to the Good Shepherd infrequent prayer — yet is there not much that is wrong laid up in the chamber of memory? Is there not many a fault, many an evil thought, many a dark stain, known at least to yourself and your God?

Ah, sister, you may be "bright and fair" in the eyes of those who love you. You may be attractive, you may be courted and flattered by companions, but there may be hidden sins cherished in the heart. There may be dark, gloomy caverns of envy, jealousy, unbelief, spiritual blindness and indifference. There may be a secret worm at work, which may in the end prove the death of all solid peace. There may be the natural evil and corruption of your nature, which you have never yet discovered. A short time ago, a young man had a very dangerous attack of small-pox. For a time it seemed likely to be fatal, but by care and medical skill he was brought through it. When recovering he wished to see himself, but his friends endeavored to dissuade him. At length he was so persistent that they were obliged to meet his wish. So a small mirror was brought to his bedside. When he looked at himself, he burst into a flood of tears, saying, "I did not think I could be like that!" My young friend, have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror of God’s Holy Word? Have you ever looked at your heart and life in the light of God’s holy law, of the precepts of His Word, and of the example of the Holy Savior? Have you ever learned to see that, in spite of outward attractions, it may be, your whole being is marred and defiled by sin? A simple poem by the Rev. Dr. Macleod, puts this thought in a striking way: At the brook, a maiden glancing,
Saw a form divine;
Said she, all her heart exulting,
"That fair form is mine!" As she spoke an angel whispered:
"Maiden, Heaven is fair."
Said the maiden to the angel:
"Angel, take me there."

"Maiden," said the angel sadly,
"Heaven is for the fair."
"Therefore," said the maiden proudly,
"Angel, take me there." At the gates the glory burning,
Smote her soul with dread.
"Angel, from that awful glory,
Hide me!" said the maid.

Then the angel, gently soothing,
Drew his robe aside,
"Maiden, in this wounded bosom,
Wounded souls may hide."

"O my Savior, pierced and wounded,
Heaven is for the fair:
I have sinned, but You are Holy;
Cleanse me, bring me there." And the gentle Savior, gently
Drew her to His breast,
Made her fair, and at the gateway
Through the glory pressed.

Here is the secret of true beauty. It must come from Christ Himself. You may be sinful, very sinful, far more than you think or imagine — but close at hand there is mercy, grace, and help. There is One who can remove all guilt. There is an open fountain where you can be cleansed from all defilement. There is a robe of "virgin white" that can cover all defects. There is a free justification by faith in Christ, in which you can stand before God as clear from all condemnation as if you had never sinned! A wondrous contrast in myself I see —
As black as sin can make me by the Fall,
As fair as Jesus is in God’s account.
For, God be praised, it is not what I know,
But what the Father thinks, and sees, and knows
Of the exceeding beauties of His Son;
That’s my exceeding comfort, joy, and rest,
In spite of all! But there is more than this. In Christ there is grace, and help, and power. The renewing Spirit can altogether change and elevate your whole life and character. Through the Holy Spirit you may become a new creature. Old things may pass away, and all things may become new.

Only come to the Savior in sincerity and truth. Hide nothing of your sin. Desire to know the uttermost of the evil that is in you. Confess at His mercy-seat whatever weighs upon your conscience. Then trust Him at once and for all. Take the lost sinner’s place — and claim the lost sinner’s Savior. Glory in Christ alone. So shall you have peace. You shall rejoice, even as the angels, that a Father’s smile is ever upon you. His eternal love shall henceforth be the comfort of your brightest and your darkest days. Would you, like the angels, be "bright and fair?" Especially be mindful to copy their holiness, their fervent love, their burning zeal. They are ever spoken of as the "holy angels." Their zeal and love know no bounds. Ever on the wing, they go forth to fulfill all God’s behests. And you must be content with no lower standard. Be this your petition, "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us."

Seek to be ever looking unto Jesus, that you may put on more and more of His image. An artist, in taking a portrait, will be turning every moment to look at the one who is sitting for a likeness. So must your face be turned continually to look at the glory of Jesus. So shall you be able to copy His spirit and character. Through His grace, abhor the least shadow of evil. Aim at perfect conformity to God’s will. Crave intensely the uplifting power and inward working of the Holy Spirit. Would you be "bright and fair?" Be clothed with love. It is the most beautiful of all graces. It comes down from above, for love is one of the first-fruits of the Spirit. It is a plant of Paradise. It is a breath of celestial air. It is a beam from the countenance of a God of love. It is the golden belt, the bond of peace, that knits in one all heavenly virtues. "Follow after love." It is full of humility, forbearance, long-suffering. It is slow to anger, but quick to support and comfort those in trouble. It is full of tender consideration for the sorrows, trials, weaknesses, infirmities, feelings, of those around.

Here and there you find a young friend who is sadly inconsiderate. With no ill purpose, but through lack of thought, she will crush and bruise under her feet those who need all the help and consolation we can give them.

I have thought of the scythe-bearing chariots of olden time, the scythes protruding on either hand and driven into the hosts of the enemy, cutting, wounding, slaying whatever may come across their path. But there are those whose unbridled temper and self-will does this very same thing among those who love them best. A tender mother, an affectionate sister, a faithful servant, a school companion and friend — any one of these must bear the brunt of your angry and bitter words, if SELF is crossed or something has put you out.

Nay, sister, let it not be so. You are little like an angel at such a moment. You are rather catching the tone of him who delights in envy, strife, malice, and hatred. You must put away all this, and put on "meek and lowly, pure and holy, heaven-born charity." You must think of others and crucify self. You must mortify selfishness and self-will in every form. You must put on the spirit of self-sacrifice, and be always ready to bear another’s burden, and lighten another’s woe. Instead of causing others grief or pain — you must learn of Christ, and then, wherever you go, you shall bring with you peace and blessing. Would you be "bright and fair "as an angel? Then let your feet be swift and beautiful in ministries of loving service. Angels came morn and eventide with provisions for the prophet Elijah by the brook. Angels ministered to Christ in the wilderness and in Gethsemane. An angel brought the good news of a Savior’s birth, and the heavenly choir sang the glad anthem of redeeming love. And to the eye of many a child of sorrow, you may seem "bright and fair" as they — when you catch their spirit and do their work. Go and help that faithful servant of Christ who is laboring for souls, but is persecuted and tempted, and tried by the opposition of the world. Go and minister to your Savior in the person of that widow, or orphan, or suffering saint. Go and carry a sweet message of love and salvation to the lost and perishing. Go and sing, yes, sing the new song of Jesus and His love by the bedside of the sick and dying, in the cottage, the mission Hall, or by the wayside — when by it you may draw a soul into the kingdom of Christ. And thus living and working for Jesus, you shall still be "bright and fair" even in the last struggle.

Twenty-three years have passed since I watched by the dying bed of a lady who had been to many a messenger of good tidings. She had taken many a one under "her care," and had "speeded their flight to courts" above. But in the midst of her work, she was called home. She had but one regret. She scarcely desired to have done more in the vineyard, but she desired, if spared, to have done it better. But the sun shone brightly into her room, and the Sun of Righteousness shone still more brightly on her soul, and, like Stephen of old, with her "face as it were the face of an angel," she joyfully entered into everlasting life!

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you — so you must love one another." John 13:34