Act, chp. 8. v. 26-40.
Strange and wondrous was the meeting, that took place on Gaza’s plain,
Betwixt a sinner broken-hearted returning to his home again,
And a faithful gospel preacher, who at God’s express command,
Left his fruitful field of labour to go to what was desert land.
Behold, from far-off Ethiopia came this man of dusky hue,
From the court of Queen Candace, a man of wealth and honour too.
These things became as broken cisterns; Israel’s God had touched his heart,
In them he found no satisfaction, restless, he sought a better part.
Thus he came to distant Salem, where stood the house of Israel’s God,
To worship God, the Lord Jehovah, and to hearken to his Word.
But ‘twould seem no Scribe, or Pharisee, a word of peace to the seeker gave,
They desired not the knowledge of Jesus, who doth sinners save.
‘Tis true the Law gives no deliverance, it locks the fetters, it cannot free,
Salvation only comes to sinners, from the Crucified on the tree.
At length the Ethiop departed, returning to his native land.
Within, his heart was sad and broken: God’s holy Word was in his hand.
Could it be that all was futile, had God despised the seeking soul?
And looking on the broken-hearted, refused to heal and make him whole.
Nay! God regards the broken-hearted, their grief to Him is all well-known,
But the time and mode of healing must be left with God alone.
The time had come in Jehovah’s purpose, when he to Jesus should be led,
And so to Philip as he journeyed, the Holy Spirit spake and said,
Go thou near, and join this chariot: for this very end was Philip sent,
That the Saviour and His fulness, he to the eunuch should present.
As Philip to the eunuch hastened, he heard him read the sacred page
From the book of good Esaias, blest of God in many an age.
O, sweet, thrice blessed portion, Isaiah chapter fifty-three,
That telleth of the pangs and glory of Him who hung upon the tree.
“Understand ‘st thou what thou readest?” was the preacher’s earnest cry.
“How can I, except one should guide me” came the eunuch’s swift reply.
Vain is the greatest human wisdom: the things of God cannot be known,
Till by the Spirit’s gracious teaching they to the soul are clearly shown.
“Come, and take thy place beside me, do thou here with me abide.
The sacred oracles do thou teach me, in Wisdom’s way do thou me guide.”
Philip at this invitation, in the chariot took his place
This seeking sinner to enlighten in the precious word of grace.
As the sacred book lay open, this portion meets the preacher’s eye,
Which describes the painful travail, of one who dwelt in Heaven high,
And, yet, became a Man of Sorrows; ungodly men laughed Him to scorn.
All the world had to give Him was a cross and a crown of thorn,
As a sheep led to the slaughter, in the judgment-hall He stands.
Like a lamb before the shearer, dumb, He suffered at their hands.
Humbled, He received not justice, His life from earth was taken away,
By the wicked hands of sinners, more cruel than the beast of prey.
Beginning at this self-same Scripture, Philip preached of Christ the Lord.
Not the Christ of modern teaching, but Christ the Wisdom and Power of God.
And it is the self-same Jesus, this troubled world needs today,
To release sin’s willing bondslaves, and destroy foul Satan’s sway.
As the eunuch humbly listened, God the Spirit stirred his heart,
And embracing Christ the Saviour, at last he found the better part.
‘Twas no faith of creature fancy, but the gift of God the Lord.
Saving faith that comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
“See, here is water, and what doth hinder? my faith in God I would profess,
I desire the seal of baptism, Christ’s precious name I would confess.”
“Nought doth hinder,” said the preacher, “if thou believest with thine heart,
With the water I’ll baptise thee, I will gladly do my part.”
“I believe,” the eunuch answered, “that Jesus is the Son of God,
The Christ, God’s one Anointed, as recorded in His Word.”
Hast thou believed, dear fellow sinner, God’s record given of His Son,
That in Him there is life eternal, to give to each believing one.
At the water-side they halted, the gospel precept to adorn,
As the Saviour gave commandment on His bright ascension morn:
Go ye forth, and preach the gospel; teach the fallen human host,
In the Name, do ye baptise them, of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Soon the sacred rite was ended, Philip’s mission now was o’er.
Caught up by the Holy Spirit, him, the eunuch saw no more.
The eunuch went his way rejoicing, in his heart he knew the joyful sound,
Rich beyond all comprehension, the Priceless Pearl he had found.
Those beloved on earth must leave us, they cannot linger at our side,
But, if we trust in precious Jesus, He with us will aye abide.
Time rolls on since the eunuch parted, with the preacher on Gaza’s plain.
But there was another meeting, and they shall never part again.
Sweet, and joyous was the meeting, that took place in Heaven’s land,
Between the Eunuch and the preacher, as before Christ’s throne they stand.
Robed in pure and spotless linen, the garment of the saints above,
Now they sing with kindred spirits, the praises of redeeming love.
For our good, these things are written, that we, the Saviour too may know,
Who can fill our hearts with gladness in this world of sin and woe.
Who can keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears of sorrow free;
Blessed Jesus, do thou teach us, guide, and keep us close to thee;
That when our days on earth are over, we may with joy before thee stand:
And with our voices swell the praises of the ransomed heavenly band.
Loudly thro’ the courts of Heaven sound the voices of His own,
Honour, and power, and glory, and blessing, be to the Lamb upon the throne.—A. V. D.