THOMAS HILL LETTER TO ELDER BEEBE (Hilll)

FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

“The Lord hath chosen Zion: he hath desired it for his habitation.”—Psalm cxxxii. 13.

Utica, June 5, 1843.

BROTHER BEEBE:—Having been often refreshed by the epistles of brethren through the Signs, I would, were it in my power, make them glad in return with something in the shape of a communication, so that we might be mutually comforted and strengthened in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, never did I feel the force of those memorable words of the Master more than at the present moment, viz: “Without me ye can do nothing.” However, so it is; and there can be no question but so it should be, and consequently must be right, as doubtless it is intended to teach me my utter weakness and entire dependence on his gracious arm for support.

The words at the head of this paper contain one of those precious declarations of the Almighty, which he hath designed for the joy and consolation of his people as they pass through this dying and unfriendly world: and if we turn our attention for a moment and only glance at the patriarchal and prophetic ages, together with every subsequent period as recorded in the history of the church of God, we shall find the above truth most gloriously exemplified in rich displays of infinite wisdom, faithfulness and power, in instances more numerous than we can name.

My mind has often been sweetly impressed when reading that interesting account given of the Lord’s visit to Abram. The Lord said unto him, “Fear not, Abram, I am thy Shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” What unparalleled condescension was manifested on the part of the great Jehovah, when he took his servant abroad and directed him to look towards heaven, and to tell the stars if he were able to number them; and he said unto him, “So shall thy seed be!”—What an unspeakable honor was conferred upon Abram! What a blessed scene to witness! The great Creator of heaven and earth, and sinful mortal man standing in friendly converse together! And in answer to Abram’s request the Lord was pleased to confirm the promise made, by an emblematical sign and vision: and when the sun was going down a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and lo! a horror of great darkness fell upon him; and he said unto him, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them and they shall afflict them four hundred years, and afterward that nation will I judge. Here the Lord led forward the mind of the patriarch in distant prospect, and brought before his mental vision the adverse circumstances through which his posterity should pass; and also the eventual prosperity they should enjoy, and in what a striking and solemn manner was this presented to his mind: “And it came to pass that when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, that passed between those pieces,” &c. See Gen. xv. 17. It was on that memorable occasion the Lord made a covenant with the father of the faithful, and the friend of God, which never was and never will be forgotten. To this distinguished individual we trace the origin of that highly favored people, the nation of Israel: and in the midst of them we behold sketched out in traces of blood the great outline of redemption, which in due time was to be completed in the person of Messiah. Indeed their whole history seems to be a shadowy representation of the spiritual kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, the church was in the midst of them and God was in the midst of the church; he had chosen it for his habitation: among that people the Lord had deposited a precious treasure. He had said to Abram, “In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” And the Apostle tells us what that seed was: “And he saith not unto seeds as of many, but unto thy seed which is Christ;” so that wherever they went this treasure was with them. The word spoken to Abram was repeated to Isaac and to Jacob. Notice the gracious encouragement given to the latter at Bethel; “And behold, saith the Lord, I am with thee, and will keep in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” The promise never failed; nor did the purpose of Jacob’s God miscarry. All the future events relating to the family of Jacob were treasured up in the mind of the great Eternal, who has determined to work all things according to the counsel of his own will.” It is true their pathway was often mysterious, dark and distressing, yet we are informed it was a right way, and the Lord never quitted his residence; he had chosen Zion for his habitation. When they were writhing under the cruel hand of Pharaoh, he was near enough to hear their groanings, and ready to work for them and avenge their wrongs. How remarkable the words of God to Moses, “About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt, and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die.” What an awful night to Egypt and auspicious morning to Israel! The first-born of Egypt slain! not a dog moves his tongue against Israel. The judgments of the Almighty smote the land of Ham, while the Hebrews came forth with great substance. And why, dear brethren, this striking difference? The answer reverberates with pleasing accents through the heart of every true believer, “The Lord hath chosen Zion.” Yes, he dwells in his church with gracious designs towards her, and under all the various metaphors in which she is brought to view in the scriptures, his sovereign grace appears to shine. “A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.” In this she is represented as the peculiar property of her Lord, enclosed with walls of salvation. “The Lord’s people is his portion, and Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” It is her he dwells to support, protect and comfort. She is a vineyard of red wine, and he hath said, “I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day.”

The limits of my paper forbid my enlarging upon the subject. But, brethren, permit me to remind you that the same blessed truth remains firm to the present moment, and stands as an everlasting memorial of the love and faithfulness of our covenant God. We may indeed, like Israel, be brought into straits of difficulty, and like them may not be able to see the way of escape. In such case let us stand and see the salvation of the Lord. Our pathway may lay beneath the waters of tribulation, and when this is the case carnal reason always murmurs; but remember the Most High rules with uncontrolled dominion, and he will cause the parting wave to make room for his ransomed to pass over.

Through grace, my dear brother, I subscribe myself your fellow citizen.

THOMAS HILL.