THERE was a poor man who was poor indeed, for that he had no treasure laid up in heaven, and being clothed in rags, grievously stained and rent in many places, he was an object of compassion to the blessed company of Saints. Having, therefore, little reason to rejoice in his soul, he betook himself to the contemplation of the great joy which is to be found in the King of Heaven, Jesus Christ.
Then he saw that it is from this joy as from an eternal fountain that all earthly joy is replenished, so that never a babe is full of happiness, nor any human creature rejoices in life or happiness, but that the joy flows from this same fountain. Also he saw that this joy is the happiness of heaven, for all men declare that to attain to heaven is the greatest happiness, yet heaven is only happy for that the joy of its Master fills it.
After this he considered wherefore the Lord who is called the Lord Beloved should be so joyful, and first he saw that He was full of joy for the work of redemption. Poor souls are caught in the great net of redemption, and as a fisherman rejoices to see the fullness of his net as he draws it from the water, so the Lord Jesus beheld the souls beyond all multitudes in number withdrawn from the sea of destruction.
Secondly, he saw that the Divine Lord was full of joy because He was full of Life Eternal, perpetually replenished in His everlasting generation of the Father and perpetually poured forth in the procession of the Holy Spirit. Now this Life, with its ceaseless flow of energy, contained in itself the essence of joy, for none could receive even the least tincture thereof without being filled with a great happiness.
Thirdly, it was made known to him that the Divine King was eternally joyful by reason of the greatness of His Love. For on earth great love oft-times means great sorrow, but in heaven, where the end of all things is seen at the same time as the beginning, it is but the occasion of rejoicing, for all love attaineth victory, and in the Presence of the Lord the trumpet call which calleth Love to battle is one with the fanfare which proclaims its conquest.
For these three reasons the most perfect King and Lord is eternally filled and overflowing with joy.
Then this poor man questioned himself, saying, “How might a soul enter into the joy of his Lord?” and presently he sighed with a grievous sigh, “Oh, that I might know it,” and again, “I cannot live longer without it;” and this was the first step of the way which leads to this joy .
And next he said within himself, “If I might but touch the hem of His garment,” and with this intent he set himself to crawl along the road along which his Lord should pass, that he might set himself in a favourable place; and this was the second step which leads to this joy.
Then anon when he heard the distant sound of the coming of the Master he was feared lest he should be passed by, but for all that he did not move, but abode where he was, thinking within himself, “If it be His Will,” and “He knoweth all things;” and this was the third step.
Thus ever does a soul enter into the joy of the Lord—first by desire, and then by following, and then by waiting in trust .
And at last the Lord Jesus came by that way, and seeing a poor man clad in rags, and having ever a special compassion for beggars, He touched him with His Royal hand. Then there flowed into that soul such joy as is too deep for any words, so that it was altogether inebriated and foolish, and began to say, “Oh, Lord Jesus, my only Lord, I would have Thee for my very own, not for what men say of Thee, but for Thine own Perfection, and I cannot live away from Thee any more. I would be a grain of dust under Thy footstool so that I might ever be near Thee. Thou art my only love and treasure, and having Thee I should be no longer poor.” Then the Lord Jesus, by reason of the very great love He had to the poor man, passed on, lest the beggar’s head should be turned by reason of the joy, and also that He might entice the poor man to follow Him to a better place. Nevertheless, the joy which flowed from His touch remained with the poor man, and that was the alms which the Lord Jesus gave him.
This is the telling of the joy of the Lord Jesus. Wherefore I beseech all, who shall at any time read what is here written, that they follow that same path in the likeness of beggars, and wait thereon until such time as the Lord Jesus shall pass their way.
This text, first published in 1922, has entered the public domain in the United States.