The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-28

y
grims bound to this citJof God-then
say so, by your lives of |oly obedience,
by your perseverance in very good word
and work, and by your sfadfast and de-
termined march toward TIE prize of your
high calling. 81
| have read of an exile 10 wept when
ever he turned his face toEard his native
land. So let your yearnl s, your ire
pressible longings be for ansions max
ing ready for you in the Ety whose in
habitants released from thk disquietudes
of this life, (as the shining ones assured
Bunyan's Pilgrims shall }ceive comfort
for all their toll, and jpE for all their
sorrow, and where, clothef with honor
and majesty, and put nssb equipage fit
to accompany the Kingfof glory, they
shall serve Him continually with praise,
and shouting, and Thanksgiving.
And while the redaemelf the Lord
say so, what have yon to say, poor care
less, Christless without God and
without hope of heaven? You are silent.
Then let me say, all these hopes, all these
privileges, all these blessings may be
yours if you will but seek them God
waits to redeem and save you. With him
there is "plenteous redemption. Plen-
teous redemption ! 0 blessed truth =
plenteous, because it sufices for the re-
mission of all SINS, however multiplied,
however aggravated; plenteous, because 1t
is offered freely to all who will accept it.
| dare not limit the Gospel offer, as
long as | read whatsoever will, may
come and take the water of life freely
Redemption was provided that 'whoso-
eyer believeth, might not perish, but have
eternal life.
How it would rejoice my heart, if this
my first sermon after my return, should
be the means of leading one soul to
Christ, or the instrument of strengthening
and comforting one of the dear people of
God.
In conclusion, | desire to express my
humble sense of the Divine goodness IN
permitting me to stand in this pulpit once
more, and proclaim these truths. Dur
ing my absence there were causes of anxi-
ETY. and sorrow of which | cannot speak.
But there were many blessed eompensa-
tions-and one of them was found in the
assurances of love and sympathy which |
received from so many of you.
There is not now pastor living, with
whom | would be willing to, exchange
churches. | am not praising men,, am
blessing God fcois7 Pffacing me ia d charge,
where, after more than twenty years,
there is snch harmony of feeling, and
such evidence of personal regard for me,
so far as | know, on the part of every
member, without one exception.
IF such a thing ever existed, there is
not now one circumstance that mars the
happiness of my relations with you.
This is just the condition of things
which would wish to exist, were this the
last sermon | could ever preach to you.
1t is just the condition of things which |
desire, if | am to live and labor for years
to come in this congregation. God has
so blessed me, so far as my position here
is concerned, that / have nothing more
to wish for, except the more copious out
pouring of his Spirit, and the revival Of
his work in all our hearts.
"Wilt thou not revive us again, that
thy people may rejoice in thee? "
90 Lord, revive thy work "
"LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD,
SAY so.