The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-08-13

AS look on either side, see nature in
all her native loneliness, beautiful as vir-
gin, and decked in bridal habiliments to
meet her bridegroom. There is magniff-
cence and glory in the very aspect. This
lifts the soul up above the terrestrial things,
to worlds whose beauty never fades, and
whose endurance is eternal. But beautiful,
glorious. and suggestive. as to its immense
value, the extent of territory my eye takes
in, at a glance from this stand, is, still there
is one spot to me more beautiful, more sa-
cred, more suggestive and more valuable
than this whole world, materially consider
ed and that is the spot on which stand.
This particular spot, distinct from all the
rest, small as it is, has greater significance,
glory, and beauty in the eyes of God, than
if it were world of pure gold; for God
measures not the significance of things by
their bulk and weight, but by the moral
import attached to them. Though "the
earth is the Lords and the fullness there
of, - still, as the owner of vast estate, has
one little spot in all his domain-the family
nOok-which is more sacred and dear to
him than all the rest, so God, though He is
Proprietor of the universe, has here and
there, among the immensely OF worlds,
some sacred nook more dear to His heart
than systems and worlds-like the spot OIL
which the manger of Bethlehem was built,
the Birthplace of the King of Glory. And
| as this place may yet become the birthplace
| of souls, so has it in the eye of God moral
| significance which cannot be computed by
| weights and measures, and which cannot
be comprehended by finite minds. Could
4I,so
| we might behold shining throng, glori-
GUS retinue of Cherubims, Seraphims and
Angels, sent to greet us like the shining
hosts, which lowered over the plains OF
Bethlehem. Looking upon us and the do
| ings of this day is great cloud of witness
es which no man can number. And look
ing beyond the present to the final consum-
nation Of all things, they glow with
the song of the Redeemed, ''Halleluiah, -
'sThe Kingdoms of this Earth have be-
come the Kingdoms of our Lord and His
Christ. - Though that period has not full
the end from the beginning it is already
consummated. 1t won't be long before the
Redeemed will join with the celestial strains
of angels-prophesy having become fulfill
ment-anticipatio having become realiZa-
ton. 1t seems to me that already see the
dawn of that propitious day-the day when
the Son of Righteousness shall have ascend
ed its zenith and never set-putting dark
ness, sin, and sorrow forever to flight.
Behold on the Eastern horiZon-towards
the plains Of Bethlehem-the rays of that
sun, trembling, glowing, as if their wings
were burdened with the perfumes of Celes-
tlal Love, for the healing of the maladies
of human souls, and for the restoration of
the world to its more than pristine purity
and beauty.
OF Glorious Gospel! Animated with Life
Divine. From these grounds may it ever be
proclaimed in faithfulness and purity. May
barbarism, despotism and sin flee before It
and find no footheld here. The beasts of
prey ceased their howlings long ago and
fed at the sound of its approaching foot
falls, which, like celestial music, filed them
with awe, as if conscious that the King ar
rayedin the majesty of Love was coming to
remove obstacles in the way of Christian
Civilization. On Arvonia, which, like Je-
rusalem is surrounded by many hills, this
day let the 'Blood-stained Banner of the
Cross be unfurled; nor let any ruthless
hand ever dare to stain or drag down q
single fold Of it. Let the hand which does
that be paralyZed, and his tongue cleave to
the roof of his mouth. Lord of the Heav-
ems and Earth! We consecrate this spot to
Thee and Thy Service, and the Temple that
shall be reared here shall be consecrated to
Thee. Every stone and every stroke Of the
hammer shall be the expression of willing
and grateful hearts. Lord God of the
Hosts Of Israel! May Thy Glory and Peace
rest on this, Thy Zion, so long as one piece
of this world is held together!