The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-11-22
Ministering Spirits.

HAku45L5IAuS Rp4I4IS'
Paul considered the apostles as a
spectacle, not to the world only, but
also to the angels. God makes known
the riches Of his wisdom to ths'heavenly
principalities and powers, by the church
on earth, which he redeems and glori-
ies. These heavenly witnesses are also
active MESSENGERS Of God, who come
into the sphere Of human life and spirit,
for judgments Of wrath or purposes of
love. There can be no doubt that they
ore employed as agents of the divine
will, just as God employs men, and
winds, and all the elements that he has
created for his own glory.
II is very important however, to re-
member that the mission and work of
angels are never to be confused with the
mission and work Of the Holy Spirit.
There is a wide, and most important,
sphere, where the divine power oper-
ates, by its own direct influence, the
power Of the Holy Ghost. In all that
pertains directly to the opening Of
blinded eyes, the conviction OF hardened
spirits, the publication of polluted souls,
mall this the Spirit Himself works with
His own undelegated influence, His own
immediate power, There are many
temporal necessities aud spiritual needs,
haying an important bearing on other
necessities which are vital, for the sup
ply Of which it may please the Lord to
send His ministering spirits. And in
these cases, they are said to minister to
those who are heirs of salvation, and
who have therefore been blessed with
some m easure Of the indweling Spirit.
AS an Illustration Of their work, Wit
ness the ministration OF the angels, after
the Sayiour's temptation in the wilder
ness, The conflict was ended and the
victory won. 1t was after the decisive
moment that the angels came. Although
there seems to be mysterious with
drawal Of the fulness Of the Spirit from
the Captain of our Salvation, yet in the
strength of what remained, he dealt the
blows that yanquished the great enemy.
Aud now, when PROSTATE with exhaus-
ton amid the cold rocks of that noun
tain's summit, angels came and minis
tered unto Him. They must have come
ffoih the secret place Of the Most High,
from the principality that is nearest to
the bosom Of the Father. We're they
not precious spirits that bad breathed
no atmosphere, save that OF divine at
fection, that had never spread wing
save on an errand of mercy, that had
never raised an adoring eye, save with
a glance of love. AS the glow OF morn
ing that rests so sweetly on the stainless
snow of the MOUNTAINS summit, these
messengers Of heaven, with gentlest
power and tenderest ministry, beamed
upon the spotless heights OF the Re-
deener's soul, But not asiuSle arm of
this heavenly host had been upliited in
the conflict By the power Of The Spirit
the. victory was won, and now the an
gals bilnae to soothe, to strengthen and
t0Clfeef. '''aasa ."at nw
Angels are sent to deliver messages,
to open prison doors, to supply urgent
necds.A But they do not come with
cQpYtucing, conylcting, converting,
sanctifyiug powers And ws"haps no
reason TO think that they ever come for
purposes Of love, save where those inhu-
encgs have been eSerted by tho Holy
Spirit. But when this Comforter has
once descended upon our hearts like
tongue of fire, we believe and trust that
these ministers Of His, whom he makes
alarming flame, will descend and gather
arouhd our enlightened spirits in a
crown Of heavenly rejoicing.
1T has eter been prevailing impress
sion, Tint when the soul leaves this
earthly tabernacle, it is borno away by
lninistering spirits to its eternal man
sion, When .tho sun goes down the
fairest clouds of heaven hasten to adorn
the fading brightness, and gather to-
gether upon the western horizon to-.
receive With glowing splendos the dying
day Aud when believing eyes are
closing IN the night of death, the bright
est clouds Of angelic witnesses float
down the path Of perfect day to receive
the blissfII burden Of departing soul,
This Is the ipinistration without end,
the, opening of the everlasting doors,
me entrance to transforming glory.
May the heavens of heavens be opened !
lbove, us by the Holy Spirit that
on our Lord, may this way
If access be kept ever open by an un.
ailing flow Of this descending power,
nd then in the hour OF enclosing dark
Iess, may those angelic messenger bear
IS through the opened portals, minis
erinG zan abundant entrance to the
verlasting Kingdom -r..
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