The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-10
Always Rejoicing.

The excellent thoughts in the piece below
are from the pen of one of the most venerable
Presbyterian ministers in the South-of more
than four-score years. AS they ministered com
fort TO those for whose private use they were
first written, it is hoped that they may also prove
"a word in season. to many others who may be
in manifold temptations. '-CEN. Pass.
Phil. iv: 4.-'Reioice in the Lord always
and again / say, rejoice. Also Hab. iii; Is.
Here is a command of our Saviour
'RejOice always" And you are ready
to say, how can We rejoice when our
country and our families are involved in
so many calamities already, and we are
threatened still with greater ones p
Whatever may be our sufferings, and
those of our brethren and fellow citizens,
still the duty enjoined is ''rejOice in the
Lord" There must be some good reason
for this command, and we ought to try to
find it out. 1t will be more comfortable
to ourselves to be glad, than to be in sOr-
row. And it seems that God requires us
TO be joyful in him rather than to grieve
and mourn.
Now we should take notice that our re-
joicing must be an the Lord. ''The Lord
reigns." Heis wise, powerful, and good.
All events are ordered or permitted by
him. The revolution of Kingdoms, and
the falling of sparrow-all things, great
and small, he controls. He has perfect
knowledge of every thing present and fu-
ture, and wisdom and power to Overrule
all things for his own glory and the good
of his Church and people. Moreover, IN
in order to give us strong consolation, he
has promised to cause "all things to work
together for good to them that love God. "
And again, that ''no good thing shall be
withheld from them" His word of
promise is true; upon it We may conf
IDENTIFY rely. To doubt it is sin.
Now, what more could you ask to give
you peace of mind and constant joy
The affairs of the world are directed and
overruled by our infinitely wise, power
full, and good God. If you cannot trust
calmly and joyfully in him, in whom can
you trust? Will You continue to charge
the Ruler of the Universe with want Of
wisdom or unkindness in what he does
Who can rise up and say, my suferings
are more than l deserved" The world,
and even the Church, may be compared
to man afflicted with many diseases, who,
if ever cured, must swallow many bitter
pills; ora man with mortified limb, who,
if life is prolonged, must feel the sur
geons amputating knife.
Look in the records of the past, and
learn to submit to the marvellous dealings
of God with his people-painful at pres
ent, but glorious and joyful in the result.
See Joseph sold by his wicked brethren,
imprisoned by false accusation. Jacob,
his father, mourning for his son, supposed
to be devOured by wild beasts. And
then contemplate the power of the Lord
that overruled the wickedness of envious
men, that step by step raised Joseph to
be ruler in Egypt, and the saviour of his
fathers household in the great famine.
See, again, how God overruled the afro
cious wicke9ness of the Jews and PLATE
in crucifying the Saviour. They did the
deed freely, from the prOmptings of their
own wicked hearts; God used them to ac-