THE mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; only Jehovah's word, love, purposes, and perfections remain the same. The world passeth away, and the fashion of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. The end of all things is at hand; our labours will soon cease; our commerce terminate; our earthly relationships dissolve; our pleasures and sorrows in this world be concluded; the last sermon will soon be preached; and the last opportunity for us to do good will make its appearance. The coming of the Son of God draweth nigh; let us be therefore preparing ourselves for so great, so solemn an event; and whenever tempted to trifle, to loiter, or to sin, let us remember "the Lord is at hand." Let us be sober, temperate in reference to the body; and let us think soberly of ourselves, of others, of everything around us. Let us not be rash or hasty, careless, or indifferent; but let us speak and act soberly, as those that must give an account. He that shall come will come, and will not tarry; and He bids us be ready to receive Him with gladness, joy, and rejoicing.
When Thou, my righteous Judge! shalt come To fetch Thy ransom'd people home, Shall I among them stand? Shall such a worthless worm as I, Who sometimes am afraid to die, Be found at Thy right hand?<
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
THE mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; only Jehovah's word, love, purposes, and perfections remain the same. The world passeth away, and the fashion of it; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. The end of all things is at hand; our labours will soon cease; our commerce terminate; our earthly relationships dissolve; our pleasures and sorrows in this world be concluded; the last sermon will soon be preached; and the last opportunity for us to do good will make its appearance. The coming of the Son of God draweth nigh; let us be therefore preparing ourselves for so great, so solemn an event; and whenever tempted to trifle, to loiter, or to sin, let us remember "the Lord is at hand." Let us be sober, temperate in reference to the body; and let us think soberly of ourselves, of others, of everything around us. Let us not be rash or hasty, careless, or indifferent; but let us speak and act soberly, as those that must give an account. He that shall come will come, and will not tarry; and He bids us be ready to receive Him with gladness, joy, and rejoicing.
When Thou, my righteous Judge! shalt come To fetch Thy ransom'd people home, Shall I among them stand? Shall such a worthless worm as I, Who sometimes am afraid to die, Be found at Thy right hand?<