The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-18
mTHR LORD WILL PROYIDE.n

Eighth and Cherry Streets.
The Central Presbyterian Church, ct the cor
ner of Eighth aud Cherry streets, was yesterday
morning crowded to suffecaton by those who
we're desirous of listening to the great London
preacher. The services we're opened by the Rev.
DR.. Reed, pastor OF the church, but the Rev.
Newman Hall, D. d., himself read the Scripture
lessons, selecting the 22d chapter of Genesis the
Sd of Galatians and the 1lth of Hebrews.
fervent prayer was offered by the venerable
Rev. t. II. stockton, formerly Chaplain to
Congress.
Dr. Hall announced as bis text the words
"JehOUdhjiTeh,n - from the l4th verse of the 22d
chvpier OF Genesis, and proceeded substantially
as iolloWs:-
On occasions when God had yisibly interposed
in their behalf, Gideon, Moses, and Jacob had
erected altars upon the spot, and given to it
particular name. So when God interposed as
Abraham was about to sacrifice his only son
Isaac, and provided a substitute Abraham built
an altar upon the spot, and called the place
JebOuOh-JiTeh. In our own lives there are many
instances of Divine interposition, in remem-
bIance OF which we might do likewise
The passage is difficult Of Interpretation.
Among other explanations, it has been sug-
gested thgt Abraham so named the place be.
cause he had spoken the same words when
| iouIneyng thither. AS he went, he carried the
wood and the fire, but no victim for the sacri-
| fee. The Patriarch doubtless went along dog
| gedly, solemnly, and downcast. He wished TO
| impress upon Isaac an entire confidence in God;
and so, IN answer to the question, behold the
| fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for
| burnt-oherlng!' ne sald, MY son, God Will
provide Himself lamb Tor burnt-ofering-
JehoUGh-jireh.n
Let us consider Abrahams faith, as illustrated
| by the circumstances of the text. We are told
| that "God did tempt Abraham" Now we
| know it to be impossible for God to tempt any
one to evil. With Him there ''is no variable
ness, neither shadow of turning" and from
Him cometh every good and perfect gift. But
although He cannot tempt to evil, He may test
the tailh OF His people, men test rope TO
learn its strength. God tests the faith of His
saints not to break it, but to prove and
strengthen it. The skill and courage of a gleat
general are thus tested and strengthened by the
dangers Of the field of battle.
God had promised Abraham a son, who should
possess the land wherein he was a stranger, and
whose posterity should be as numerous as the
sands of the sea. lshmael was not this son of
prophecy. How Abraham TejOiced therefore,
at the birth of Isaac, aud the glorons prospects
held out by the promises OF God. This son,
whom he loved, was his most precious treasure.
But when Abraham started upon his journey
into the lal of Moriah, was it for the purpose
OF realizing the promise that his posterity should
be the sands of the sea, and that the
vast extent of territory before him should
be their inheritance? How horrible must have
been to him the contemplation of the sacrifice
he was about 10 make! Yet Abraham was tho
roughly convinced of his duty, but this only
rendered his feelings more acute.
The difficulties presented by this passage of
Scripture are so great that some learned men
have attempted to explain it in this waY:-The
heather nations around Abraham offered as
sacrifices TO their gods the best they had, even
their own children, and it has been claimed that
Abraham thought it was his duty to do much
in honor OF the God he worshipped. THIS theory
is opposed TO the clear statements of the Bible.
God. would have the heather nations around
understand that His servant was willing to make
such sacrifice, and He would test his faith.
But when Abraham was found willing, God in
terposed and showed to all ages His abhor1ence
of such sacrifices.
Abraham's obedience was prompt. he rose
up early in the morning. Probably he did not
even consult his wife. As general rule, hus-
bands should have no secrets from their wives;
bat in this case it was different. The command
was TO Abraham and not to the boys mother,
and the latter might have objected and persuaded
Abraham against II. Delays are always dan
perous, especially in matters of conscience and
religion. So Abraham rose up early in the
morning to obey the command of God.
His obedience was protraCted. He did not
reach the designated place until the third day.
While it is often difficult for us to perform a
single duty and we afterwards wonder how we
were able 10 do it at ALL it requires still greater
resolution to 60 on day by day in its perform
ance. Every step that Abraham took was an
evidence of his faith. Abraham's obedience was
persistent also. He might have made every
preparation for the sacrifice, hoping, and trust
ing that the two servants whom he took with
him might interfere at the last moment, to save
Isaac from death. In this way he might have
argued that he would gain from God the merit
of a willingness to make the sacrifice, and yet
save the life of his son.
But to prevent any interference on the part of
the servants, he left the servants behind when
he approached the place of sacrifice. His obedI-
ence was likewise truthful; and while be was
about to obey the command of God, he yet
trusted Him that He would keep His promises
with regard to his posterity and their inherit-
ance. "By faith he that had received the pro-
misses offered up his only begotton Son, of whom
1t was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be
called, accounting that God was able to raise
him up even from the dead.n
We may be quite sure that Abraham's faith
was agitated by many doubts and struggles. We
are not always told how the wind shifted, but
only IN what direction it settled at last. He
may nave asked himself how he could return to
the boys mother without him, But here faith
whispered JeboUGhjireh. He may have ques-
TONED how he could have carried out the deed
with his own hand. He may have thought that,
even II he were willing, Isaac might not consent.
ana What would become OF his reputation for
humanity and for q religion better than that
| around him? But to all these doubts faith an
sWered JehoUdh5lreh; God needs, not Iyour use
tulness, but your obedience, and He will provide
Then he may have thought he ought to be
careful OF Coos reputation, If not of his own
but faith again admonlshed him that IL was
| Gods business to attend TO this and mans
business 10 obey. Then may have arisen the
| question, How is the promise TO be fulfilled if
Isaac is slalnF But here iaith ans Wers that God
knows best how to reconcile His precepts and
| His promises and Abraham believed in both
| accounting that God was able to raise Isaac up,
| even from the dead. God, who gave life, could
restore 1t, II He pleased. 1t was the patrarch,s
| province to fulfil the precept, and Gods pro.
| vince to fulfil the promise
| 1aklng lne text as an illustration of the mode
OF salYauon, we are Continuallv reminded thai
our Dody must De provided for, and that God