Progress
of Another Pilgrim
This
is a true story told in the form of correspondence exchanged by two individuals
- one White, one Black - over the course of 20 years—questions by the seeker,
and answers offered by the one who knew The Answer.
This is the true story of
a soul’s seeking of Him Whom her soul loveth, and the tender ministering
of a Friend of the Bridegroom, who faithfully and truly sang the
New Song that had been Given her. It has been said—by whom I know not—that
“a question evokes an answer which is the platform upon which a blessing
may be bestowed.” The Story is:
The Story of a Journey
I waited patiently
for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought
me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet
upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song
in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the Lord. (Ps. 40:1-3)
HIGHER GROUND
I want to live above the
world,
Tho’ Satan’s darts at me
are hurled;
For faith has caught the
joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher
ground.
Lord, lift me up and let
me stand,
By faith, on heaven’s table-land,
A higher plane than I have
found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher
ground.
Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Introduction
It is a story of The
Journey of life. They - B.[the Seeker] and F.[the Singer] -
were talking on the phone regarding an organizational matter related to
a youth group. Suddenly, without premeditation or conscious intention,
the Seeker blurted out, “Is there ever a time when there aren’t so many
questions?” After a pause, the Singer, her voice strong and vibrant,
replied, “Yes, but not until…” She proceeded to outline a journey
through a Dark Night into the depths of the soul, emerging at last, free
from every vestige of personal self, at Union with God. It was heard
as a call to come up Higher, holding hope for a salvation “beyond the reach
of change and decay”. The Seeker’s heart responded with a strange
joy tinged with sorrow, and eager anticipation intermingled with a dark
foreboding. Thus began another journey of a questing soul.
It is also a Love
story—The Beloved’s wooing of a human soul for union with His Divine Spirit.
We present this story with the prayer that you, our dear reader, may find
yourself within it, and may join us in fellowship with the Father, and
with His Son, Jesus Christ, that we all may be one in Them—just as Jesus
prayed.
B. &
F.
