The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-06-26
VI Vol, 2.---No. so.


Some doubtless will be interested in
my caption-possibly they may read on
too-who are not the very ones in the
mind of the writer. If, however, they
shall find comfort in any word that is
sues from my pen, they may be sure they
are twice and thrice welcome to it. 1T
was indeed with the hope of interesting
more by an increased defniteness of
purpose and liveliness Of conception,
that concluded to adopt the address |
have.
1t affects you, no doubt, as it does me,
to recall the days Of old. Then the can
die Of the Lord shined about you. He
blessed you in all the work Of your hand.
To ask for the bread of each day was
scarcely more than, at best. form Of
thanksgiving that the perennial supply
was so sure. The young, the strong, the
cheerful, the fondly loved, the well.
springs of household joy were then at
home. Then there Was home on earth
| for Won. and. you'd mot feel as you now
do, though you used to sing it and tyyto
realize it, that you are pilgrims and so
journers here as all our fathers were, and
there is none abiding. Painful visions
haunt me of faces once bright and hope
full, now de6led with weeping and dis
figured by sorrow.
Let us seek to suppress the food Of
emotions that well up in our hearts at
the thought of those other days, and Of
the melancholy contrast now impressed
upon our view, when we lift ourselves
from the ashes and look about us, and let
US try calmly to ask ourselves why the
Naomi of yesterday should be the Mara
of to-day why the face of the Lord
should not be toward us as aforetime, and
He should seem to be seeking occasion
against US.
Hastiness Of spirit would find quick
solution of the question, in proportion
ate change of feeling on his part toward
us. 1t would conclude that he hath for
gotten to be gracious and his tender mer-
cies towards us are restrained. But did it
ever occur to you, or if it did, has it ever
seemed so comfortingly suggestive be-
fore, that it is in immediate connexion
with the bestownhent of good and perfect
gifts that Gods unchangeablepess is most
strikingly stated? without variable
ness or shadow of turning!"
This of itself is mighty relief If.
after all, he who was the life of our life,
the joy of our joy, the sun and centre of
all that was pleasing, if he is what he
was, and where be was, our shield and
exceeding great reward, around us and
in US very present help, the changes
that give so new and melancholy an as
pect to life, are, after all, only superficial.
The symbolism of;the vision is different,
but the Interpretation is the same; the
language is the language of love, how
ever its accent may vary.
, But perhaps the temptation may ts'sc-
Enoenei au,anx-,Ie. -sbonld
not doubt his love to you now, Il. you
could feel assured that you we're sver
the object of that love. This is what
you now question. You are disposed to
believe that you were too ready, in those
more prosperous days, to conclude that
you were heirs of glory. Perhaps these
gloomy and dark days are sent to unde-
ceive you.
1t can never do us any harm to review
the foundation of our hope, if this be
done in a right spirit and we proceed
upon right principles. But let this be a
settled conviction in our hearts, that the
strokes of our Fathers rod are not even
presumptive evidence against our being
the children of his grace.
Now if the graces Of the Christian
life are decaying within you, if you feel
less drawing of soul to Christ than you
used to, such queryings are legitimate.
But if there is nothing of this, then be
sure there is nothing in the outward as
pect of Gods providences to justify the
doubt.
I have thus far confined myself to
general considerations, being obliged to
defer such as are more specific to another
paper. Meanwhile may the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope, enable you greatly to rejoice in
your unseen but beloved and most COM
passionate Redeemer, though now, for
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations.
"As thy days, so shall thy strength
be. ."-Sontherm Presbyterian.