The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-05-18

fresh features brighter discoveries of Himself will
unfold themselves before us, Just as we are able TO
and contain them
Not only is it true that "in my Fathers House
are many mansions, but in my Father Himself,
in the infinite mind are many mansions never ex'
plored by men or angels; and in future state as
the redeemed gaze upon God, lost and absorbed IN
the intensity Of their emotions. He will throw
open door after door Of those mysterious cham
bers, and permit His glory to blaze through the
open portals.
In the present state of being, wisdom consists
in the submission OF our minds and hearts to Him
the submission Of our understandings for lnstruc-
ton; of our affections for publication; OF our
wills for regulation; of our lives for His disposal;
and this is what reason approves interest soclts,
and religion demands.
3. The voice of this calamity instructs US not to-
on tomorrow since we know not what
day may bring forth
1t is indeed Distinguishing attribute of man,
that he may anticipate. that he may lay plans for
the future; and this is not wrong. Neither the
Providence nor the word of God forbid the calcu-
lation of future events or the shaping OF our en-
terprises accordingly; neither Providence nor the
Word forbid the pleasures OF Hope, Tor Hope Is
one of the cardinal graces. She stands between her
sisters Faith and Love, holding each by the hand,
with radiant face upturned. She is the first of the
rows and the last to desert the bosom OF the aged
pilgrim when her sister spirits have taken their
fight But the providences Of God do forbid all
such presumptuous reliance on the future as is ex-
pressed by Boosting of the morrow.
1t has pleased God to hide coming events from
human observation. We try to pry into the fu-
ture, but we can see no farther than the man can
who stands looking down at the ground; he sees
the surface but nothing more; his eye cannot pen
citrate the SOIL much less pierce the interior depths
of the earth Mans view is limited when he
looks earthward; the only direction In which his
view is vast is when he looks up; then he sees
through the transparent air-through immeasura-
BILE space; world beyond world comes within the
sweep of his vision he looks out into the immensely
where God dwells and this is high and holy
parable, teaching that God has made man blind
with regard to the events of time, and unveiled
heavenly things, that he may make these the OBJ
ect of his hope and trust
IF we would be impressed with the vanity of our
expectations with regard to the future. we have
only to look at our own lives How different is
our present situation from the imaginings of our
youth How different our position now, from
what we anticipated few years ago. Many
things fondly hoped for never came; other things
wholly unexpected have come-some to our glad
ness, some to our grief. What successes and re-
verses what blessings and what bereavements;
what changes among our friends; what changes
among our enemies; what changes in our families,
and in the families of our neighbors. And the
surprises of the future will be as great as those Of
the past. Surprises Before night, a letter or
telegram may bring to some of you, tidings which
will change the whole current of your future lite
This very sense of dependence ought to teach
everv man his need of God need Of His guidance
and direction. 1t teaches that the highest wis
dom" consists in committing our way unto the
Lord that He may direct our steps.
g. The suddenness and unexpectedness OF llte's
changes also teach us the propriety of cherishing
perpetual sweetness, and tenderness in our social
and domestic intercourse To-day may be the last
opportunity to speak kindly to some one who needs
a word of sympathy and cheer. If We leave home
in the morning with anger in the heart towards
any member of the family, or harsh words upon
our lips, we may infct wound in that bosom,
which we will never have an opportunity to heal ;
we may never see that face again in life. Or if
you suffer one to go from your home to the cares
and duties of the day, with heart panied by some
word or act Of unkndness on your part, before the
night comes he may be brought back to you with
heart cold and pulseless evermore. When 1t is
too late for explanation or for reconciliation you
may discover that your reproach was uncalled for
that your rebuke was the result Of mlsapprehen
sion and that it was needless pang which you
inflicted O! the anguish Of such discoveries
when they come too late!
Those who have heard can never forget the sad
story of the father wis, having forbidden his son
to battle in the river again, saw him one day come
home with dripping, hair and clothes wet and
stained with mud and cried out iii voice terrible
with anger, "have you not disobeyed my com
maud-have you not been in the river again "
" Yes father" said the child "but | will tell
you how p. Stop" said the imperious
man, Twill hear no explanation, and with cruel
blow drove his trembling child from the room,
commanding him as he went to go to his chamber
and remain there until permitted to come out.
Supper came, but ne message was sent to the boy.
The hour of retiring came, but no message still.
Midnight came, and then domestic hurried not to
the child, but with message to the father-ln-
forming him that his son seemed to be very i'll,
and was talking wildly in his room. The father
fastened to the chamber, to find his son derious
with fever, caused by the excitement and painful
scenes and sufferings of the day. 1t was a fever
and delirjum from which he never recovered
And imagine, if you can, the bitter anguish and
remorse of that father, when he came to learn as
he afterwards did, that while his son was returning
from school, as he walked along the river bank, he
saw comrade who was bathing get beyond his
depth, and the noble little fellow, regardless of his
own danger, plunged into the water, swan to his
drowning school mate, and brought him safely to
the shore. And this was what the dear boy was
trying to tell his father when he was stopped by
the cruel blow. and driven from the room, without
being allowed moment to explain. All terrible
the anguish of explanations which come too late.
Let us be patient and tender, forbearing, and
considerate; and above all, let us exhibit the
meekDess and genteness Of Christ in our own
households.
Every time | 90 to Hollywood | see persons
adjoining the resting places of their departed
planting flowers upon their graves This is we'll
but far better is it to plant flowers along the path
way of the living-to make home happy and life
blessed by all the gentle ministries OF love, while
life yet continues.
4. In the light Of the same truth we learn the
sadness of ecclesiastical strifes and alterations
When Richard Baxter was engaged in an acrimo-
NOUS controversy his opponent died. and it was
then that Baxter made, and put on record this re-
Fiction, "While we wrangle in the dark we are
dying The best path to heaven is by peaceable
holiness"
Lee US maintain our UNCONVENTIONAL differences
in regard to points upon which we conscientiousy
differ, but above ALL let us maintain the unity OF
the Spirit in the bonds Of peace 1t has long been
the characteristic of the churches different names
in Richmond, that they flourish side by side in
harmony More than this; their members con-
stanuy worship III eacn VInei Cnutohes WIN pIoh'
and pleasure. There is probably, no city in the
world where there is less of sectarian bigotry and
exclusiveness than in Richmond. And if such a
spirit were to arise, it would be rebuked by the
scenes of the past week We have sat together in
each others churches and united in the funeral
service of our dead; we have gone together to the
grave and there mingled our tears of loving remem
brance. Let us cherish the spirit of fraternal re-
gard which has so long distinguished the members
of our different communions. The example was
set us in former times by the ministers who once
labored here, and who have entered on their
rest and reward. Among these we hold in sacred
remembrance the cheerful and pious Buchanan,
M Mo % Re aap and eloquent Rce the srvd
John Carr, and Armstrong of sweet apostolic pie.
ty, and Stephen Taylor full of faith and the Holy
Ghost, and Dibrell, martyr to his philanthropy
i;,rps s.ss.;lsnae which dasalatad s;star