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

find themselves more weaned from TIT
world, and more attentive to religious
duties, and taking a greater delight IL
them? Is il true that when chastenet
they are more watchful and humble, anC
obedient, and spiritual-minded than il
prosperity? Is it true that in their owl
experience they can join with the Psalm
ist in saying, it is good for me that
have been afflicted? Is it true that IL
their pains of body or sorrows of hear
they have had such asense of the ten
derness of their heavenly Fathers care
and love, as to realize the truth of the
precious assurance, GAS one whom his
mother comforteth, so will | comfort
you" Then let the redeemed of the
Lord sag so. Encourage your families
and friends and brethren by telling them
what the Lord has done for you. Be
witnesses for God that he does fulfil his
promise. Let your Individual and per
sonal testimony confirm the truth of his
pledges to his people. Thus will you
honor and glorify him.
A pastor can never leave his charge
for any length of time without hearing of
the sickness and bereavement of some of
the people of his church, with whom he
would have fain been present, if possible,
in the hour of trial, to cheer and support
them by his counsels, or if unable to do
this, to mingle his tears with theirs in
their grief, and to commend them to One
whose grace is sufficient for every exi-
gency.
My sad separation from you has re
peatedly been made more sad by hearing
of the afflictions which have befallen some
of you. | have lived with this people
until l have grown into an identity with
them. which makes their joys and sor-
rows mine.
Had the ordering of events been in my
hands, | would have been at the bedside
of the sick, in the chambers of the be,
reaved, and | would have prayed and
sorrowed by the graves of your children
who have been laid to sleep beside nv own
in the all-summoning cemetery. But it
is my consolation to know that the Friend
who sticketh closer than brother has
been near you in all these sad scenes,
and that he has been near you to sus-
tain and comfort, and sanctify to you
your deepest distress.
0 let us try to remember that our dear
est treasures are not ours absolutely, but
that they have been only lent to us
that God has granted them to brighten
our earthly homes for little while, ard
then taken them to prepare us for the
heavenly home-and let it be our desire
and prayer, that these earthly relation
ships and ties, instead of being like the
roots of a tree to sink us downward and
bind us faster to the earth, may be "like
blossoms on the topmost boughs, which
open upward to the air, and dew, and sun
light of heaven"
Lastly, David tells us what is Sod s
gracious design in all this discipline of
trial TO which he now subjects his re-
deemed people. He leadeth them, says
the Psalmist, ". Z, by right way, that
they may go to the city of habitation.
In his dealings there are many mysteries
many perplexities, many deep things not
revealed, and which we know not now,
but which we shall know hereafter. But
amidst all the confusion and darkness,
there are some truths which shine clear
and bright in our spiritual armament.
1t is All infalIble truth that all things
work together for good to them that love
God. 1t is a positive truth that nothing
can separate us from the love of Christ
THAT is, Chrst's love to US. 1t is an
assured truth that all things are ours,
whether life or death. things present OF
things to come. 1t is delightful truth
that those of our families and friends who
have died in the Lord, are safe and hap
py in his presence. 1t is comforting
truth, that our departed children are now
has children, as well as Ours-chldren at
homeland we will not murmur that they
have proceeded us by few years OF
months; it is an animating truth that
God is leading us by right way
though it may be rough way and dark
way, to the inheritance reserved for u.s.
The character of that Inheritance is re
presented to us under the figure of an in
habited city, in contrast to the wilder
ness and desert, to which this world is sc
often compared in the sacred Scriptures
and, as city represents art ana wealth
and liberal ideas, and social order, anC
society, and innumerable happy homes
so heaven is called "the city of habita
tion," where the wanderer shall find his
settled abode, and the weary his rest, anc
the lonely his companionship, and th'
child his Fathers house. The city ot
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