The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-13
THE CHURCH'S STRENGTH.

When the prophet says" Awake, put on
thy strength, Oh Zion;" we receive an i'm
portant truth, taught, indeed, by other Scrip
lures also-that the Church has strength
But let us not mistake as to where it lies
for certainly many, in the Church even. seem
to be looking for the strength of Zion where
it has never been found. In what then does
it consist?
l. Not in Age. 1t may have lived through
centuries through revolutions that have buried
Empires. Thrones may have been set up and
shaken to pieces under its age. IF you could
suppose it to have connection, in links sure
and unbroken, with the first churches planted
in Judea, so that there could be no question as
to its Apostolic succession-it might have all
these and yet have no strength.
9. Not an Wealth. Let that wealth come
in every shape in which men so prize it, in
houses, lands, costly structures, boundless
stores of gold and silver;-let it gather into it
self thousand times more than Imperial or
Papal Rome ever held; nay, all the discovered
or undiscovered riches of worlds and if this is
all, that Church is still weak.
3. Not an Numbers. And yet it is a good
thing to have large church. We know that
it will one day cover the earth as the waters
cover the sea. But multitudes might be in
the Church whom no man could number, and
yet its strength be only that of little child.
4. Not in the earthly dignity and rank Of
its members What if the names of all the
Potentates OF this world, ali that have had
fame, and place and power--let them all be
nominaly sons of the Church; could these
things give it strength? Often, alas has ii
been tried, and what is the result? " Vanity
of vanities. :"
5. Not IN temporal prosperity 1t may
have no open foes to face, no fires of persecu-
ton, or floods of ungodly men to waste it-no
discordant views and aims-no straitened cir
cumstances whatever-there may be all this,
and yet the Church be utterly feeble.
In what then does church's strength con
sist? In the living, growing, shining, active
piety Of those who compose it. There is the
secret of its power 1t may have lived but a
single year. 1t may be absolutely in poverty,
so far as this world goods are concerned II
may number scarcely a score Of souls, and these
the obscurest in the community. 1t may have
hardly once been gladdened by the sun shine
of earthly prosperity, and yet be strong. Only
let the life of that church be one of penitence
and faith, of love and good works-of cleavine
to the Cross then it cannot help being strong
strong in the Lord, and in the power o.
his might -strong for the truth, and wise tc
win souls to Christ.
The Lord, by his gracious Spirit, fill oul
land with such churches For this end may
they speedily hear His all.powerful call
"A,oake, put on thy strength, o Zion !" Ala
that she should slumber so long and deeply
May she see, as never before, that " in thu
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength, ant
thoroughly awakened by the voice of the grea
captain of her salvation, may she learn how
that strength is to be "put on" Then how
beautiful her garments, how pure her light
how glorious her destiny