Today there was an explosion of joy throughout much of Scotland, as native son Andrew Murray won Wimbledon.

In the 19th century, native son William Hepburn Hewitson (1812-1850) was longing for the Christians in Scotland to know the highest and purest and most excellent Joy, so that the Good News of Great Joy might spread to the ends of the earth... "far as the curse is found."

On December 22, 1846, Hewitson wrote the following to a friend in Edinburgh:

"I just write you a few lines to bid you farewell before I leave Britain [for Trinidad]. Miserable it is to live with the name only, and not with the reality, of being in Christ. Blessed it is to be really in Him. No awakened soul should stop short of a realisation and experimental enjoyment of union with the Lord. No converted soul should rest satisfied, till it think every thought and speak every word in communion with Jesus. This would seem to a carnal professor, or to a child of God who is still a to great extent carnal, a standard far too high; but to have a lower standard is to be ignorant of our standing in Christ—of what we have in Him, of the closeness of our union with Him, and of the character we should maintain to be in keeping with our profession of faith in His name. My impression of the godliness of Scotland has been somewhat modified since my sojourn in Lisbon and Madeira. Scottish Christians, in general, seem not to realise everywhere—in all companies, and at all times—the presence, the indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ,—not to realise in any great measure that they are not of this world, but sent into it by God as messengers with a message from Him. But if this remark applies to Scotland, to what land does it not apply? Where is godliness more flourishing? Where profession more rife? Where the Church more conspicuously set on a hill before the world's eye? There being within our reach no means of Church-purification, we are called on to attend to the work of purifying our own hearts, of shining in our own homes, of carrying, wherever we move, a circlet of Divine light with us through the dark world. So will we spread the truth, diffuse the savour, glorify the name, of Christ. Christ dwelling in us—that is light, life, fragrance, holiness. Many seek Christ within before finding Christ without, and so cannot attain to peace; many, after finding Christ without, don't seek diligently to have Christ within. To have both Christ without and Christ within, is peace and purity."

Christian, have you been living with the name only and not with the reality of being in Christ?

Have you stopped short of a realisation and experimental enjoyment of union with your Lord?

Are you of the number who seem not to realise the presence and indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Revelation 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

God forbid we rest satisfied and stop short of a realisation and experimental enjoyment of union with our Lord! God forbid it be said of us that we "seem not to realise the presence, the indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ, not to realise in any great measure that [we] are not of this world, but sent into it by God as messengers with a message from Him." May our God stir up and awaken in us a thirst for Jesus Christ, that we might diligently seek to have both Christ without and Christ within!

John 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Proverbs 25:25  As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Psalm 67:1  God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2  That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3  Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4  O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 5  Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 6  Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. 7  God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Reference: John Baillie's "Memoir of the Rev. W.H. Hewitson, Late Minister of the Free Church of Scotland, at Dirleton" (London: James Nisbet & Co.), 4th edition (1853), 262-264 / 2nd edition (1852), 257-258. 4th edition book available at Google play here: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=bRVMAAAAYAAJ.

Related:

http://naphtali-deer.xanga.com/728425860/update-w-excerpt-lloyd-jones-sermons-on-the-role-of-experience-in-christianity/

Martyn Lloyd-Jones sermon "Experimental Christianity" (ML-J cites a portion of this passage of Hewitson's)

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Work found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Line_of_young_people_at_a_commencement_ceremony.jpg / PD

We're in the midst of graduation season now, and earlier today our youngest son graduated from college. As I was "grazing" once again through "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" (e.g. - see my recent posts here, here & here), I reread a letter which Elias (1774-1841) had written to his son John when John was around 18 years of age. I thought it was a fitting letter for my son and for the rest of the 2013 graduates... as well as a necessary exhortation to the rest of us (no matter our age or our stage in life) –– because as Christians, each and every one of us is prone to wander, we are too easily distracted, lured away from, and lose sight of that knowledge which is to be treasured, sought and savored, and that knowledge which leads us to the highest felicity . . .

   A letter was written by Elias to his son at school on education; it shows his mind on that important subject fully and distinctly, especially as to its value. It is the following:

Llanfechell 14 August 1819

I hope that thou now beginnest to take pleasure in thy learning. This is thy harvest, and if thou shouldest neglect this, thy treasure-house will be empty, as long as thou livest, of the greatest worldly wealth, that is, learning! What are gold and silver, houses and land, without knowledge? Nothing! Man is like the brute beast, without education. A person that is unlearned, cannot well enjoy the pleasures that human nature is capable of, especially under the influence of religion. Learning is very important, inasmuch as it teaches the mind to delight in true knowledge, and in making greater attainments in it; - to view the excellencies of others and to follow them, being never satisfied till we acquire them, - to observe the faults of others, and to flee from them. I have said a little respecting the value of learning, being sensible of my own deficiency in that respect. I think if I had to make a choice, whether to have all India, or Sir William Jones's learning, I should prefer the latter.

   It is not in an easy, careless manner that we can get learning, understanding, and knowledge; no, it must be by labour, industry, and toil. It is necessary 'to cry after knowledge, and lift up the voice for understanding - to seek her as silver, and to search for her as for hid treasure' (Proverbs 2.3, 4). We are not to be disheartened and cast down, in not succeeding to obtain knowledge of things at the commencement; it is the work of time. It is not at once that flowers, animals, or mankind, arrive at full maturity; they grow gradually, and that by having a nourishment and support: so learning and knowledge; it is not at once and quickly they are attained, but by application, labour, and hard study. It is true that many a person wishes to be a scholar, and learned, but may not like the pains that are necessary to attain that end, and never enjoys what he desires. How true it is, 'the desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. But the hand of the diligent maketh rich‚' (Proverbs 10.4; 21.25).

   Having spoken thus of the value of human learning and knowledge, I must say that there are more excellent attainments; the teachings of the Holy Ghost, and the knowledge of Christ and the Father. The Spirit has been promised, to teach us all things respecting Christ. It is the anointing of the Holy One, that is, Jesus: he teacheth us the knowledge of all things as they are, enabling us to know God, ourselves, and the Mediator; he instructs us how to live godly, to acquire every virtue and excellency, to hate the evil and to flee from it, to die happy, and to obtain eternal felicity. Every knowledge in comparison of that of Christ, is but loss and dung; to know him is everlasting life.

   My dear son, be not disheartened as to the attainment of this knowledge: Christ, the great Prophet, makes the simple wise unto salvation. He is a kind teacher to those that are willing to learn of him, though slowly. It is not all at once that he instructs his disciples, but gives them line upon line, and precept upon precept; a little here and a little there, and that very patiently. So be thou diligent and constant in his school, sitting at his feet, to receive the words that drop from his lips.

~ Excerpt from:  "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" by Edward Morgan (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1973, revised edition published in one volume), 63-65, boldface mine.

John Baillie includes the following letter of the Scottish minister W.H. Hewitson (1812-1850) as evidence of Hewitson's "earnestly ... continu[ing] to 'lay hold on eternal life,'" and in it, we're charged to do likewise –– to use our time here wisely, ever-mindful that "this is our time of education for heaven."

Linlithgow, March 20, 1848.

"My Dear Mother,

   "I received father's letter before leaving Edinburgh. Yesterday I communicated in Mr Baillie's church, but did no ministerial work whatever. The season was to me a very refreshing one, and the Lord was sensibly present; the Lord was at His table. Always when I go to the church seeking Christ himself there, and, as it were, to keep tryst with Him—always when I go expressly for the purpose of meeting Christ, and having intercourse with Him,—I experience sweetness in the ordinances of His house, and have reason to return with the voice of thanksgiving. We fail of being blessed in family worship and in public worship, if we do not seek, while so engaged, to meet with Jesus, and to enjoy His Word and fellowship in the exercise of faith and love. It is Christ in the Word, and in all the ordinances of worship, that makes them refreshing and quickening to our souls. Religion is not a form, but a life; and it is not a solitary, friendless life, but a life of intercourse and company-keeping with God in Christ. To be religious, is to be the friends of God—to realise a sense of His presence, love, and favour—to acknowledge Him as a living Person who is always near us, always ready to bless us, and always looking to us for a living obedience.

   "This is our time of education for heaven — these are our school-days; and, alas! how many, who profess to believe, and to look for eternal life, neglect their soul's education, and play the truant's part, instead of attending the school of God! Time is near its end—eternity is at the door. O to be ready—all ready! For many will mourn and weep, when the time to make ready is past for ever!

   "Next Sabbath, God willing, I shall be in the pulpit myself. Till the house be ready, I go into lodgings. I intend to leave Edinburgh on Friday or Saturday, and afterwards remain with my people. My health is not worse —strength returning, but slowly.—With love to dear father and all the rest, I am, my dear mother, your very affectionate son,

"W. H. Hewitson."

Excerpt from:  "Memoir of the Rev. W.H. Hewitson: late minister of the Free Church of Scotland at Dirleton" by the Rev. John Baillie, 4th edition, 1853, 309-310, boldface mine. (HT for the text: http://books.google.com/books?id=bRVMAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s)

Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of our understanding to the excellency and surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ! Strengthen us, pour out upon us grace upon grace, that we might fight the good fight of faith and earnestly continue to lay hold of eternal life.

May we show ourselves to be genuine professors, and be diligent to make our calling and election sure. May we not be stagnant, sluggish, and sleeping, may we not play the truant's part, but rather may we be awake and alert and make ourselves ready –– all ready! –– attending the school of God –– looking carefully and walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, understanding that the Lord's will for us is to know Him (because every knowledge in comparison of that of Christ, is but loss and dung; to know Him is everlasting life!) –– and redeeming the time, pressing on to know Him and to look for and to lay hold of eternal life: –– to be diligent and constant in His school, to make every effort to sit at His feet, to receive the words that drip from His lips, to educate our souls, to take full advantage of the blessed means God provides –– (O! He is a kind teacher to those who are willing to learn of Him!).

Our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge we cannot obtain or understand one ounce of spiritual truth apart from it being given to us from above. O! Send to us the gift of Your Holy Spirit to teach us line upon line, and precept upon precept; a little here and a little there (will you not give the Holy Spirit to those who ask You?!), so we might be growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because the days are evil, and to know Him is everlasting life and blessing! –– and not to know Him is everlasting death and cursing! To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen! (~ See Ephesians 1:16-22; Philippians 3; I Tim. 6:11-16; Ephesians 5:14-17; II Peter 3:18; II Peter 1:1-11; Deuteronomy 30:15-20.)

Commemorating the 239th anniversary of the birth of the Welsh Calvinistic minister, John Elias (May 6, 1774- June 8, 1841)... Here's an excerpt from "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" by Edward Morgan:

Most feelingly did Elias expostulate in letters ... with sleepy, starving professors. One of those is the following; may it be blessed still!

From 28 June 1831

Is there not reason to fear that the prayers of many of us are merely customary and formal, asking many things without feeling the need of them? We seldom inquire whether our prayers are answered; and if not, what hinders them? Do we avoid indulging in those thoughts or practices that hinder and mar our prayers? Are we in a state of reconciliation with God? Do we live in the exercise of faith in Christ? Are we indifferent as to the aid of the Spirit in prayer? O seek his face - his face; seek him with all your heart! There are many in the church, I believe, who have seen better days, and have felt something greater and stronger; but they sleep so heavily now, that they scarcely recollect the days they once saw and the divine impressions they once experienced! Alas, what a state! Love is growing cold, because, perhaps, some iniquity has abounded. O that I could lift up my voice, and cry to those that sleep - ‘Alas, it is a great pity that you live so poor, and that your sustenance is so wretched! You, children of the King. You, the spouse of Christ! You, that saw better days, how is it that your support is so poor, and your appearance so miserable now, while the riches of your Father are so great, his house so full, and his table so loaded, and the love of God not changed, and the great salvation as full as ever? Oh! why will you live in poor prisons, and on empty husks? Homeward, homeward, prodigal sons! Our day in the world is nearly coming to a close! Believers, you draw near the heavenly world. Should you not then be more holy and heavenly, as you approach that world? Oh! children of God, be not satisfied to live in such a lethargy, and at such a distance from your God.

Hypocrites are not aware of the spiritual food that some have tasted. They draw their joys out of other wells, lusting after forbidden things, desiring the enjoyments of the world, delighting in the company of worldlings, and following their customs! There are many in the church that never had a kid - that never had a small portion of spiritual food to make merry - that know nothing of the spiritual feasts that are enjoyed on the return of prodigals! These have but a poor religion to meet death and judgment with! O my dear friends, let each of us examine, and see what he has. Let us not sleep, and let us not be indifferent about knowing whether our religion is sound; and if not, let us strive to obtain that which is so. The most worthless of all things is false religion. Oh! the truth, the truth! O! brethren, let us not be discouraged; but, like the watchmen, look for the morning. Say, in faith, ‘I shall see it yet again.’ I know that some souls are like the thirsty land, longing for God, and crying out, ‘When shall I come to thee?’ Believers, if we must live in some degree of darkness till we arrive at Jordan, it is a consolation that it is day light, without any clouds, on the other side. You shall be there soon. I long in these days to fly higher than the tumultuous atmosphere of this world. If we fly high enough, we shall not meet with clouds, thunders, and the stormy wind and tempest, but with a bright, delightful day! I am obliged to finish - I am very poorly. Oh, brethren, pray for me!

Source: "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" by Edward Morgan (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1973, revised edition published in one volume), 138-140.

Luke 15:11  And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

25  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29  And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

my other posts on John Elias:

the fitness HE requireth: in distress, in debt, discontented ~ I Samuel 22:2
"It is a dark night on the church, the depth of winter ..." ~ John Elias
"as if ... God was dead" | letter 160 on assurance & fighting for joy
... while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended...
"The dawn is to be seen... you may by prayers" (John Elias)

my posts on nominal Christianity - click here
my posts on true and false religion and legalism - click here

Advent #1 WHY HAS JESUS COME? that we might have life & life more abundantly
Advent # 5 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might draw near to God | Even a Vapor
Advent # 7 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might be satisfied with Him
Advent # 8: WHY HAS JESUS COME? "so that [we] might be WITH HIM" ~ Mark 3:14
Advent # 9 WHY HAS JESUS COME? Adoption: the highest privilege the gospel offers ~ J.I. Packer

The Christian should not just believe the truth, and know it..." | the Father's assurance
update w/ excerpt: Lloyd-Jones' sermons on the role of experience in Christianity
five years ago ~ for your joy (AND an inheritance | Richard Sibbes & the Sealing of the Spirit)
birthday reflection: "the great & glorious possibilities" ~ "Now therefore, give me this mountain"

postcards from England: are we excited over a dead fish and a car wreck?
"Brother, we are only half awake" ~ Legh Richmond
"Saving faith is wanting Jesus" ~ Are you loving His appearing or this present world?
Jesus said to her, "... Whom are you seeking?" - John 20:15
Why read Christian biography? To help us examine our love for God.

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Work found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A.Cortina_El_sue%C3%B1o.jpg / {{PD-Art|PD-old-100}}.