The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-20
"a LITTLE sanctuary"


Since the providence and the promises OF
God are the same in all ages, we are permitted
to turn to such a passage as that which is
found in Ezekiel XII Is, and learn that there
is refuge built for His children in every Baby
Ion to which they may be driven. The assn
rance of consolation is sent after those whom
the world would adudge to be utterly forsaken.
Hear the prophet "AHhough / hare cas-
them far of among the heathen and among The
countries, net toiW be to them as little sane
t,,orv in the countries phre they shall come. F"
How terrible were the judgmets inflicted up
on Israel, and how richly merited by repeated
transgressiens, Isaiah, jeremiah and Ezekiel
have shown us: but the mercy of the Lord
beams forth on the saddest pages of prophecy,
and the "little sanctuary" illuminated with
the Divine presence, and filled with the spirit
of refreshment, and repose rises in the path
way of the driving tempest on the dark and
cloudy day. -
All of Gods children, who are under Hi:
chastisiug hand in our generation, may like
|
know that towards His own, however imperfect
and deserving the rod, He can never be angry
in wrath He remembers mercy. Fury is moi
in Him as unmitigated and controlling there
will always be provided place of rest in the
shadow of which His people shall quietly si
and say, " 1t is of the Lords mercies that We
are not consumed because His compassion!
fail not -
The little sanctuary is ample to receive
the soul. 1t is expressly provided for it
spiritual necessities in this peculiar exigency
and, though it be SMALL is perfect in its adap
tation. Afflicted people are generally humble
and chastened; their views are moderate, and
their aspirations directed more to what may
give relief to an aching heart than to what
may crafty ambition and love Of display
The little sanctuary is something for spir
itual wants; it has substantial comforts. 1t j:
quiet, retired, modest; those who enter il
come as little children, and find in Him, whom
there they meet, that pleasant feeling of secu
rity which keeps the infant at rest in its moth
ers arms.
Yet what dignity does it acquire from the
presence of that Holy Resident-that divine
Comforter who is there, to receive His chill
dren. No palace has such a King; no dimen
sions could give to any royal abode such honor
and glory.
God is here k1,o,oa rs a refuge. There is nc
disappointment Thesatisfactions of the place
leave no want of the soul to meet 1t is abso-
lutely certain that all who enter shall receive
what they need, and shall be enabled in q
measure to forget their sorrow in the abundance
of their Joy The testimony of the saints as to
what they have found, is clear and unequivo.
cal. They all testify that it is place where a
man may rejoice, even though the earth be
removed, and though the mountains be car
ried into the midst of the sea.
Among the benefits derived from sojourn
in this sanctuary is holiness. A sanctuary is a
holy place. God who graciously proclaims
Himself the sanctuary in this text, is holy
being. Great Affections are not dearly bought
if they drive us to such a retreat, and such a
communion, and such result as increase in
purity of heart. The Jews never had any
more to do with idols after their return from
that long captivity, duringwhich they saw God
in the little sanctuary.
Another great benefit flowing from the first
is deep settled peace and coatentmeat of soul
In this little sanctuary we learn, as we nowhere
else learn, the lessons of submission to the Di-
vine WILL and here likewise, as nowhere else,
is acquired the blessed habit of fortifying the
soul against sin and sorrow in prayer.
No such prayers are heard on earth as those
that are heard in this sanctuary. They are the
brief fervent, deep toned utterances Of want.
The petitions are all prayer And what rich
consultations do they bring from heaven The
open mouth is filed, the extended hand is
| loaded. Burdens are removed, sad hearts are
cheered, righteous purposes are formed, new
VOWS are gladly assumed, and the place which
stands on the very outskirts, as one would say,
of human happiness, almost if notquite in the
regions of despair, becomes vocal with the
sweetest songs, and resounds with the glad
notes of THANKSGIVING, praise, and heavenly
melody.
Such is the sanctuary which God has pro-
vided for all His children in these days of
trouble, and concerning which, He says
"Come, my people, enter thou into thy cham
bers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thy
self as it were for little moment, until the
indignation be over-past
If the secrets of Christian experience were
revealed, it would probably be discovered that
many have found in this retreat within the
last few years what they never found before !;
and are so rich in their poverty, prosperous in
their adversely, joyful in their sorrow, and calm
amid startling commissions, and withal so large
ly refreshed, and comfortably endowed through
their earnest devotions, that they would not
be willing to return to former scenes Of out
ward happiness, if there we're to come with
them the spiritual barrenness of the past.
New Hymn Book-In reply to many in
auiries we state that this much wished for vol