The Life and Labours of St. Augustine [pp. 436-453]

The Life and Labours of St. Augustine.
ent from this is the scene when a minister is " at the point to
die," in whom the truth of Christ has had a preacher in profession only; a timid and inefficient defender: or, worse than
this, a secret enemy, betraying one fortress of the truth after
another; and at last, having become an open assailant, joining,
helping, cheering, perhaps leading on the ranks of those who
insultingly say, "raze it, raze it, even to the foundations
thereof." The condition of mind of such a minister. in the day
of death, may be that of portentous calmness, such as sometimes attends upon "strong delusion" and the "belief of a lie."
Or, it may be that state of gloomy reserve, in which the man,
like the false prophet of Ahab, "goes into an inner chamber
to hide himself;" a reserve in which the man's soul is, of
choice, curtained in and shut up, so that its gloomy workings,
under the rebukes of a violated and incensed conscience, may
not get disclosure. Or, he comes into that condition of anguish,
and horror of conscience, and "fearful looking for of judgment
and fiery indignation," which unnerves the soul, and fills his
dying hour with foretastes of the bitterness of an undone
eternity.
It is a delightful scene, when a minister who has been faithful to the truth comes to the day and the hour when, and the
place where-his last service and conflict, as a soldier of Immanuel, "for the truth's sake," being rendered-he is permitted to put off his armour and anticipate his speedy reception of
the "crown of life." On the other hand the scene is awful,
when a minister who has been unfaithful to the truth of Christ,
has filled up his measure of guilt, done his last act of treachery
to the faith, and is about to die and go to the judgment-seat of
the injured Saviour. Do angels witness gloomier and more
fearful death-scenes in our world than those of unfaithful ministers? Time, talents, attainments, influence, pens, pulpits, all
devoted to the devisings of men "loving not the truth;" hating,
despising, perverting, and exposing to contempt, the doctrines
of "the cross;" rejecting the Son of God; misleading souls for
which they had promised and bound themselves to watch.
Respecting a minister who has spent his life thus, that is a most
fitting utterance by the divine Saviour, "good had it been for
that man if he had never been born."
452
[JULY,