A Meditation - Going Abroad by James Meikle (1730-1799) [James Meikle was a surgeon’s mate on a British Man-o’- War Ship. These are meditations that he wrote before and during that voyage.] What a load of business presses me on every hand when about to leave my native country! I must state and clear with all my creditors and debtors before I go! In addition to this, when I am about my ordinary business on land, a little pocket-money will defray my charges; but it is not so when going abroad. I must have bills of exchange for a considerable sum and changes of apparel agreeable to that part of the world to which I am bound. Now, if I am thus busied, thus anxious and concerned, about my going from one part to another of this terrestrial globe, with what justice will all this care, anxiety, and concern be increased when I must commence my journey to eternity, and set out for the other world? This is an event that unavoidably awaits me; and who can tell how soon? Of what folly would I prove myself possessed, should I propose to go so far without a farthing? But with much greater madness would I be intoxicated, should I launch into eternity without an interest in the heavenly treasure. To be poor in any part of this world, begets contempt among the men of the world, but poverty in the world of spirits is an eternal shame, and an irretrievable loss. Again, would I not blush to go with tattered clothes and clouted shoes, to a part of the world where it is fashionable to be finely dressed? How, then, shall I appear without the white raiment of a Saviour’s righteousness in the presence of God, where angels walk in robes of innocence, and saints in broidered garments? When the marriage of the Lamb shall be come, and his bride shall have made herself ready, if found without the wedding-garment, with what confusion of face shall I be covered, and with what anguish cast into outer darkness! How am I hurried at the last in setting out,  notwithstanding I have been so long proposing, and so long preparing for, this voyage! Yea, an express arrives, that the ship is ready to sail, and I am taken, as it were, unawares, though for some time I have been expecting such a message. Then, since I have this momentous, this interesting voyage into the world of spirits before me, let my daily study be to set all my grand concerns in order, that when death the transport  comes, I may have nothing to do but set my foot aboard, and be wafted over to the land of rest. Again, though looking for death daily, yet I, and all my friends, may be surprised at last. Now, in my earthly travels, of friends and acquaintances I take a long farewell; but at death I bid the whole world an eternal adieu.  This article is taken from:  Meikle, James. The Traveller. Edinburgh: J. Pillians & Son, 1811.  A PDF file of this book can be downloaded, free of charge, at http://www.ClassicChristianLibrary.com