CLOSING IMPRESSIONS OF J.G.BELLETT *

A contemporary manuscript says that, shortly before his departure. Mr. Bellett’s great desire was for a nearer apprehension of the love of Christ. ‘Only think’, he said to one near him, ‘I am going to see Jesus! I know that after that I shall be introduced to the kingdom of glories, to our brethren, and have crowns and rule, but this is all bye and bye; it is not that I think of, it is falling asleep to be “with the Lord”, with Himself with the Man of Sychar! with Him who stayed to call Zacchaeus! with the Man of the eighth of John! with the Man who hung on the cross! with the Man who died! Oh to be with Him before the glories, the crowns, or the kingdom appear. It is wonderful, wonderful! With the Man of Sychar alone, the Man of the gate of the city of Nain—I am going to be with Him for ever, to change this sad, sad scene which has cast Him out, for His presence! Oh, the Man of Sychar!

Lines by J. G. Bellett

When shall I rise to Jesus

And find myself but one

Among the countless thousands

That shine round Him alone?

When shall I wear my raiment,

Through Him made white and clean,

No darkening cloud around me,

No hateful spot within?

When shall I hear the music,

Skilled in this art alone,

To sound “the name of Jesus”

Before the Father’s throne?

When shall I see the glory

My Saviour’s presence sheds,

And know no other pleasure

Than what His presence yields?

* 1795–1864

Note—Touching reference was made to J.G.B. by Mr. J. Taylor in his address in London in 1949 on ‘The Man of the Eighth of John’ (N.S. Vol. 93, p.506)