Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-13
Hearkeninn 10 Jesus.

his earthly sojourn. In it we catch a
glimpse of the glory he had with the Faith
err before his incarnation. When travel
ing in Cesarea Phillippi, Jesus took with
him Peter, James and John, and assembled
to the summit of high mountain near by.
The disciples, being weared, soon fell
asleep; but Jesus, ever intent upon the
accomplishment of the work which the
Father had given him to do, sought strength
and consolation in prayer While he pray
ed the fashion of his countenance was al
tered and his raiment became white and
glittering. Presently Moses and Elijah,
the representatives of the law and the
prophets, stand on either side and converse
with him concerning his suferings and
death. The sleeping disciples being arous-
ed from their slupbers, were startled at the
change which had come over the appear
ance of their Master "Meekness has CIV
en- away to majesty-sadness to dazzling
glory-the look Of pity to the grandeur of
God" Realizing that they were in the
lulUltuldlt ultStliIG VI Iiltli Ntbb butl NClC
filled with terror and CONSERVATION. Per-
haps they expected from the bright cloud
which overshadowed them, the thunders
and lightnings Of Sinai were to burst forth,
and they were to hear the voice of the
trumpet which made Israel tremble. But
instead of the trumpets blast they heard
the voice of God saying, "This is my be-
loved Son, in whom / am well pleased;
hear yc him. How long the vision lasted
we know not but when the disciples had
recovered from their fear and amazement,
they saw Jesus only Moses and Elijah
had withdrawn from their view. God had
gone up from the mountains summit to
his throne of holiness, and the three we're
left alone with the Savior, to whose voice
they were to hearken. To us God saith,
through the disciples, concerning his Son,
"Hear ye him." So long as the gospel
shall be preached which makes known
the mysterious TRANSPORTATION of the Son
ofGod, it shall enjoin the duty Of hearken-
ing to his voice. Upon US this duty rests,
and the performance Of it should not be
delayed for moment. 1t is not to a mere
man-an equal-that we are required to
hearken. If it were so, we would be al
liberty to consult our own judgment, wheth
err or not we would receive the Teachings
of his lips. But it is to One who has no
only the right to demand our obedience
but also the power to punish for disobedi
ence. If we give heed to the voice 0
Christ, we receive the teachings Of On,
who carries with him the authority Of God
If we refuse TO hear him, we knowingl.
set at naught the words of the Most High
With what thankfulness-with what Joy
with what reverence should we, ignoran
sinner, give heed to the teachings of tn
1ncarnate God.
1t cannot be a mere he ring, that is re
quired. If 1t were 50, thousands, yea mil
lions would be safe, who are condemne
already. 1t is hearing in the sense Of obey
ing that is enjoined. Hearing withou
obeying, instead Of saving, only adds
our condemnation. The citizens of Caper
naum heard the voice of Jesus, warnin
them of their danger and entreating ther
TO break off their sins, but they obeyed not
The Savior exclaims that Capernaum, fo
her disobedience shall be cast down to hel
Yea, it shall be more tolerable for ungodl
Sodom, whose streets ne had never trod
den, than for Capernaum, when God sha
arise in judgment to take vengeance on h
enemies. 1t were far better for US had "
been born in heather darkness, to hay
had our bodies thrown to the crocodile b
false religion, or had them burned in sal
rifce to god of stone, than to be born
a christian land, to hear the voice of jest
Christ speaking to US in the gospel, if q
obey not his precepts. We must always be;
in mind the saying of Jesus, "For uni
whomsoever much is given, of him sha
be much required" Luke 12-4S. Durin
the TRANSPORTATION of the Savior, Peter e.
claimed, 'Lord, it is good foru to be herr
if thou wilt, let us make here three table
nacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and OF
for Elias" While he was speaking Il
Shekinah fell from heaven and rested ov
the three forms of light. To Peter wi
had indiscretely spoken, God said from IL
dazzling brightness, concerning his So
"Hear we him." 1t was not for the disc
pie to propose what should be done. II
duty was to hearken to the voice of his d
vine Master. 1t is not for man to deci,
what shall be his rule of conduct-wh
form of worship will best suit his circur
stances-on what terms he will be savet
but in all things he is to be governed |
the teachings of the Son of God COncer
ing what we are to believe, and what '
are to practice, the question is, "Wh
saith the Scriptures ?" To US the Saw
speaks through his word. He is called
Prophet, because he hath made full re
elation of the whole counsel of God co
corning the salvation of sinners. II
Westminster Assembly of divines has c
pressed it, "Christ executes the Office OF
Prophet in revealing to us, by his Wo
and Spirit, the will of God for our salv
ton" The scriptures of the Old and NJ
Testament are the revelations which Chr
as Prophet hath given to men. AS G.
commands every one to hearken to his s.
as the Son speaks through the people, it
clearly seen that the duty is binding up
all, without exception, to study the bib
and be governed by its teachings. Hen
it follows that the bible is the highest a
thority in church and in state That p,
SON who does not yield obedience to t
requirements of Gods Word, says, by !
practice, that he disregards the teachin
of Jesus Christ and does not recognize t
authority of God.
Jesus hath said, "Ye are my friends
you do whatsoever | command you"
we have any desire to have Christ for
Friend in time and through eternity,
must yield obedience to the precepts of
Word. When Mammon, clinkinghi b
OF gold, cries to us. Follow me, J." we shol
hearken to the voice of Jesus, who sa
Lay up not for yourselves treasures W
earth, where moth and rust doth CORFU
and where thieves do break through q
steal; but lay up for yourselves treasu
in heaven, where neither moth nor I
doth corrupt, and where thieves do
break through nor steal. For where v
treasure is, there will your heart be AIS
When earthly pleasure, beautifully ado
ed but rotton hearted, entreats us to fol
har ua sbo,,il -. A.. - II - -