May 26 / Springs in the Valley by L.B. Cowman

May 26

I am the resurrection, and the life. (John 11:25)

Bishop Foster was one of the leading bishops of the Methodist Church in his day, and was a very godly man. After an earnest search for thirty years he found what is here related in the hope that it may be a help to some other hearts who sought light as he did.

“I have perused all of the books written on the immortality of the soul, bought them at great prices, studied them with great earnestness. I have spent thirty years at it, hoping someday I might be able to present the argument with more force and make its impression stronger upon the mind and heart of the world.

“But when death came to my home and struck down my darlings, when I went and looked into their graves, I saw nothing but utter darkness. With an anguish I cannot express I went out into the deep woods, and looked up into the great vault above, and beat upon my breast and cried to my Father until my heart was crushed and broken. In speechless silence I lay with my face upon the earth to see if I could not hear Him; but I found that it was dark and silent; not a ray, not a voice.

“I went and sat down by the philosophers, but now I found they gave me nothing but husks. I read their arguments which once had cheered me, but now they broke my heart. There was nothing in them, not even enough for me to found a conjecture upon. I was desolate with an utter desolation. I wrung my hands in an agony I cannot describe.

“Nor did I find relief until I heard a Voice coming through the gloom. Out of the darkness and silence, with heavenly music and sweetness in it, it said:

I am Jesus, the resurrection and the life;
and thy dead shall live again.

“And with that single idea that I could rest my hope and my faith upon, He has revealed that great doctrine; He has established the truth which ever eluded mankind till He came down out of heaven telling the story of the Fatherhood of God and the immortality of His own spiritual children.”

 I know not how that Bethlehem’s Babe
Could in the Godhead be:
I only know the Manger Child
Has brought God’s life to me.

I know not how that Calvary’s Cross
A world from sin could free:
I only know its matchless love
Has brought God’s love to me.

I know not how that Joseph’s tomb
Could solve death’s mystery:
I only know a living Christ,
Our immortality.

MAJOR HARRY W. FARRINGTON

Cowman, L. B. E.. Springs in the Valley (pp. 161-162). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.