The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03

| IanQ, why not now is not UOu the uu-
changeable.J Jehoyah? {? Is not Christ the same
to-day? Are not the supports of grace as
sufficient as ever? Are not the promises as
sweet, aud the glories of Heaven as alluring
as at any former period? If, then, the
< question reeurs, what is there in these times
of uncertainty and gloom to rejoice in, the
answer comes; rejoice, first, in the dominion of
Jehovah, that while His throne is in the
heavens, His kingdom ruleth over all. Earth
| ly governments change; dynasties pass away ;
kingdoms reel and totter to their fall but
there is a kingdom that cannot be moved, a
dominion which shall endure to all genera
tious "The Lord reigneth, let the earth
rejoice"
Rejoice, too, that God sits in the chariot of
Providence and holds the reins, and drives
the rushing cOursers through the world, guild
ing them, turning them, arresting them at
the good pleasure of His own will. There
is no chance, no accident, no fate, no destiny,
but there is Providence, embracing the nigh
ty and the minute, surveying at glance the
entire luminous line which runs from the be-
ginning to the end of time, aud on which are
strung all the events which make up the his
tory of the world This providence has its
mysteries, but it also has its mercies, and it
makes all things work together for good (for
the best) to those who love God.
Rejoice, too, in God himself. lie remains
though all else is swept away-the inheri-
tance, the portion of His people. One of the
most inspiriting declarations ever made to
them is that of the Apostle when he says:
" All things are yours, whether the world, or
life, or death, or things present, or things to
come, all are yours" But noblor assu-
rance than that they possess all creatures is,
that they possess God, the creator. When
the Apostle would again sublimely set forth
the dignity and the dominion of the people
of God, he says ye are sons, heirs Of God
and joint-heirs with Christ. But a no.
bier truth is involved in the assurance that
they are heirs, not of Gods gifts, but of God
the giver. 1t is a comforting and animating
truth, that when the tolls and trials of this
weary life are over, there remaineth rest to
the people of God-that heaven will be the
final and happy home of the redeemed-but
a grander truth than that remains for them,
a richer inheritance than heaven itself-even
the Infinite and adorable One whom the hea-
ven of heavens cannot contain. God him
self is the souls final rest, recompense and
exceeding great reward.
IF this God is our God forever and ever,
then az Of His attributes are pledged to
our present safety. future guidance ana fual
glor;fcatioa. Omniscience, omnipotence, pow
er, wisdom, holiness, justice, truth, goodness,
immutability, all come forth in the grand
and solemn procession, and surround the be-
lever even as the mountains were round
about Jerusalem, to guard him, to enrich
him, to ennoble and exalt him forever. What
cause for JOY is here
Again, believers may rejoice because all
the persons of the Godhead are interested in
their salvation. God, the Father, who pro-
vided redemption for them; God, the Son,
who assumed their nature and became at once
Prophet, Priest and King for their advan-
tage God, the Holy Ghost quickener, COM
forter, sanctifer;-this Triune Jehovah under
takes the work of bringing each ransomed
soul safely through all the snores and dan
gers of the way to the mansions prepared in
the house not made with hands eternal in the
heavens.
And, finally, the Christian may rejoice be-
cause thousand promises unite in assuring
him that this will be the final issue of the
work of grace in his soul. So numerous are
these promises, that we may say of them as
God said to Abraham when He brought him
forth by night, and told him to look up and
count the stars of heaven, with the assurance
that so numerous should his blessings be-
Thus we see the frmament Of revelation
spanged not with single orbs, but with rich
clusters of promises, forming one bright ga
laxy to light on the souls Of men to glory.
Now the poorest, humblest, most unworthy
child of God on earth may say, grace is mine,
Christ is mine, heaven is mine. 1t is not
true, then, that even amidst the impOyerish
ment, the bereavments, the desolations of
war, and the extinction of so many cherished
hopes and fond expectations, the believer has
still something left to rejoice in? Let us
then so exemplify our profession by exhibiting
such cheerful and accomplishing acquies-
cence to Gods will, such fortitude in trial,
such thankfulness for the everlasting conso-
lations of grace in the midst of temporal
losses, that all the world may learn that the
Christian is the happiest man on earth, be-
cause even in the night of sorrow he can see
&" the dawn of that fUlness of Joy, which
shines without cloud and without suspen-
sion in the better land, forever, and ever"