2. What is the bearing of the Lord's flock in entering this valley ? It comes into view in these words, which one speaks for all, " I will fear no evil." Mark, it is a single voice that speaks, a man all alone, conscious only of the presence of God. I will go into the death-gloom without dread and palpitation of heart. There may be threatening, alarm, evil (tiger-like) watching its J Calvin, Psalms, i. 395. " J. Burns, Illustrations from Art (1912), 128.
452 THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
opportunity, all around ; curses flung out of the darkness by the enemy, as if they were yet unrepealed ; but I shall not be dis- quieted or dismayed, for evil shall not be allowed to harm me, yea, rather shall be compelled to contribute to my well-being.
^ Hardly any one, when the time comes, is really afraid of death. My sister said : " I have a great fear, but also a great hope." This is uncommon. My mother said : " I wonder whether I shall ever sit in the garden any more." I am glad to be nearer death for one reason — because I can see the problems of theology in a truer manner, and can get rid of illusions.^
^ About this time Mr. Eomanes drew up a paper, which is given here, as it may interest some readers : —
"18 Cornwall Terrace, Regent's Park, London, N.W.
" Deae Sir or Madam, — While engaged in collecting materials for a work on Human Psychology, I have been surprised to find the greatness of the differences which obtain between different races, and even between different individuals of the same race, concerning sentiments which attach to the thoughts of death. "With the view, if possible, of ascertaining the causes of such differences, I am addressing a copy of the appended questions to a large number of representative and average individuals of both sexes, various nationalities, creeds, occupations, etc. It would oblige me if you would be kind enough to further the object of my inquiry by answering some or all of these questions, and adding any remarks that may occur to you as bearing upon the subject —
" ' Do you regard the prospect of your own death (a) with indifference, (6) with dislike, (c) with dread, or (d) with inex- pressible horror ?
" ' If you entertain any fear of death at all, is the cause of it (a) prospect of bodily suffering only, (b) dread of the unknown, (c) idea of loneliness and separation from friends, or (d), in addition to all or any of these, a peculiar horror of an indescrib- able kind ?
" ' Is the state of your belief with regard to a future life that of (a) virtual conviction that there is a future life, (b) suspended judgment inclining towards such belief, (c) suspended judgment in- clining against such belief, or (d) virtual conviction that there is no such life ?
" ' Is your religious belief, if any, (a) of a vivid order, or (&) without much practical influence on your life and conduct ? ^ The Letters of Benjamin Jowett^ 247.
PSALM XXIII. 4 453
" ' Can you trace any change in your feelings with regard to death as having taken place during the course of your life ?
" ' If ever you have been in danger of death, what were the circumstances, and what your feelings ? '" ^
^ Most wonderful is it how largely and how variously this fearless confidence comes out in the Book of Psalms — not from the sanguine and untried, but from those who have had widest and profoundest experience — who have been in the valley and have come forth from it unhurt, yea, nobler and loftier spiritually. " Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear." " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." " Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day ; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday." " The Lord is thy keeper ; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul : The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." ^
^ I remember going down one night, about twelve o'clock, to the seaside, and I stood in the shadow of a gloomy wood. In the front of me for miles stretched the frith of the sea. Away across yonder were the Argyleshire hills, and up above them, again, the gloomy heavens, with here and there a star peeping out. It was like the valley of the shadow of death. The sea was lapping at my feet, and a gentle breeze was blowing over it, when suddenly I heard a sound. I listened and strained my ear, and that sound turned out to be the sound, first of all, of oars in the rowlocks — a dull, thumping sound as some fishermen urged their boat along its way. And still I listened, and what I heard was the sound of music ; and as the boat came nearer, there was borne to me across the waves the sovmd of singing. Those fishermen were Christians, and even while tugging at the weary oar in the dark and lonely night they were cheering themselves with the songs of Zion.3