A Periodic
Interview with the King of Terrors
by James Meikle, 1730-1799
1764 - 1770
1771 - 1778
1779 - 1785
1786 - 1799
To debar death from our thoughts,
and the future eternal world from our meditations—will neither render us
immortal, nor afford us a triumphant dismissal from this into the eternal
world—but must make our exit dreadful, and our latter end a scene of ineffable
anguish. While, on the other hand, we never enjoy the pleasures of life, the
sweets of society, and the endearments of our friends and families, with a
better relish—than when serious thoughts of death and eternity predominate in
our mind. We should study—
1. To have a practical belief in the future eternal states of
both heaven and hell.
2. Not to be much elated with prosperity.
3. Not to be much dejected by adversity.
4. To more and more be weaned from the world, and to have our
conversation more and more in heaven.
5. To have frequent meditations on death and eternity; and
then, when death comes, we may be made, not only submissive to our
dissolution—but long to depart, and be ravished in the prospect of our being
forever with the Lord.
Biographer's note—James Meikle died on the 7th
of December, 1799, leaving behind him a name which is better than precious
ointment; and a widow and five children, with little on which to depend for
future support but the good providence of that God, who, to use his own words,
"had guided him through all his wanderings, and supplied him during life to his
heart's content."
The cheerfulness of his disposition
continued to the last. Disappointments never soured his temper. Though strict
both in his principles and morals, he never appeared sullen or morose; he was
rather cheerful, gladsome and merry. There does not appear, for forty years,
among all his voluminous papers, notwithstanding the many severe censures which
he passes in them upon himself—one expression from which it can be certainly
concluded, that he entertained any doubt of his eternal salvation. This, and the
constitutional gaiety of his temper, will account for the surprise which many of
his most intimate acquaintances have expressed at the perusal of his writings;
and explain what otherwise might be deemed paradoxical—that a man uniformly
cheerful in company, should in private, make death and the future world the
favorite subjects of his meditations.
To him death was surrounded with no
terrors! The future world captivated his imagination, and filled him, as
frequently as he contemplated it—with most exquisite joy. He maintained his
reputation for piety, and his unshaken faith in God, to the end. And the God
whom he served, honored him with continued usefulness in his station, almost to
his last hour. On the first of December, he officiated as an elder in the
dispensation of the Lord's supper. On the second, he wrote a short article in
his Monthly Memorial. On the sixth, he was still serving medicines to his
patients. On the seventh he was with God!
"I will be your God throughout your
lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you!" Isaiah 46:4.
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
Job 19:25.