The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-07-12
Worship.

Man may have access to his Creator,
Father and Savior Christians believe
this momentous truth; Pagans, Mo-
hammedans, all mankind believe it,
except two classes: those whom utter
ignorance and moral degradation sinks
below the conception and desire of it,
and those whom the pride of cutiva-
ted but unconsecrated intellect leads to
despise it.
But while the Christian and Pagan
have totally contrasted conceptions of
its nature, object and spirit, the mere
fact that they-embracing the whole
human race, with the most fractional
exceptions-have felt the necessity of
worship, and used it according to their
conceptions of it, shows that it meets
a want of the human heart, or that man
is naturally a worshipper, Indeed,
every worshipper, despite his pride or
his scepticism. That which he su-
premely admires, even if it be himself,
is his God. Whatever expresses his
highest admiration and delight is, un-
consciously, Intentionally or uninten-
tionally, an act of worship. That on
which he most depends, be it his Ma
ker, his neighbor, his fetch, or himself,
is his God; and every expression of su-
preme confidence is an act of worship,
since worship is nothing else than the
utterance Of the deepest trust and hom-
age OF the heart, OF its highest and
most fervent alteration and love,
The history Of genuine worship is
full of interest, embracing three stages
the Patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the
Christian.
THE PATRARCHAL.
This was simple in its form, so far as
we are permitted to know. OF Adams
worship we hear nothing, unless his
conversations with God can be called
such, which is doubtful.
The first view Of primative worship
we obtain is an impressive scene, 1t
presents two kinds of worship: the one
accepted, the other rejected Of God.
And the only explanation we can find
OF the different results of the two il, in
the two iacts-that Abel offered his in
faith, and Cain offered his in unbelief;
and that Abels was q sin offering in
blood, or an innocent life for his sins, -
the other was a mere thank offering, as
from one who had not sinned, and who
rejected the divine method of atone
ment for sin by the suffering of vicari-
Gus innocence All we know of Enoch's
worship is that he walked with God /:
his whole life was an act of communion
with his heavenly Father.
Noah offered burnt offerings on
emerging from the ark. The alter and
its typical sacrifice of blood had become
an essential instrument of religion.
Abrahams intercessory prayer for Sod
ON opens to us u very impressive view
of that part Of worship; as does that
of his servant Gen. xiv. l2) in refer
ence to finding a wife for Isaac, Great
simplicity seems to be the chief charac-
teristic Of the worship of that period,
Jacobs wrestling Mt Peniel has been
variously explained. But it conveys
this truth indisputably, that prayer may
be struggle Of spirit, in which faith is
tried by kind Of resistance.
THE MOSAIC woRsmr
This itself passed through several
stages; being adapted to the nomadic
condition Of the people, aud then ac-
commodated TO their permanent resi-
denee in Palestine.
We must discriminate between Gods
intention and mans view of the Old
Testament service. He was a Spirit,
then as now And he sought spiritual
worshippers then as now This the
prophets abundantly show. The radio
81 mistake of the Jews was on that
point They satisfied themselves with
impressive ceremonies instead OF PER-
sonai holiness, with gorgeous rites
instead Of personal communion with
God Sacrifice was, In their view, q