The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-10-14

of the new birth, chaoging their darkness
to light, and their mourning to great re-
joicing! Viewed in its proper-light, with
the agents and accompanying circumstan-
ces which the scriptures teach us to believe,
the conversion of a sinner to God, is the
most interesting and sublime scene that
mortal beings ever beheld! You see the
penitent sin-burdened- conscious of griev-
GUS offense against God-and of the dread
full penalty! On the verge of despair he
cries from the very depth ofhs soul: " Lord
save, or perish!'' The darkness that en-
shrouds his being seems to grow denscr,
while the agony of his soul deeply affects
all his features, and sadness, like pail,
covers his face! But now a strange, mo-
mentary stiffness! "Cast thy burden on
the Lord" The Mighty to Save receives
it! The atoning blood is by faith applied!
The Holy spirit stamps the image of Christ
upon this poor penitent's heart! And now
behold this wonder of wonders! The gloom
of his countenance disperses, quicker than
the sun scatters the shades of night! A
joyous halo succeeds! And bark:
"My God is reconciled,
His pard ming voice hear,
He owns me for His child,
l can no longer fear:
With confidence now draw nigh,
And Father Abba Father, cry!''
This is the purport of his song; while at
tendant angles, who had anxiously watch
ed the struggle through, now convey swift
as the flight of sun beam, the glad news
to the world OF glory; and there is "rejoic-
ing in the presence of the angels of God"
And so in answer to prayer, sanctifying
power comes down upon the people of God
in the holy sanctuary. and the spirit of
rejoicing and praise is there! How could
it be restrained? Contemplate the scene
among the disciples on the day pentecost;
and when lifeless professors of religion utter
the words, enthusiasm" fanaticism,"
with sneers, and self satisfied csmpla-
cency, charitably endeavor to enlighten
their understandings, as Peter did the SCOT
fers Of his day, by assuring them, that even
in our generation, "men are filled with the
Holy Ghost" and they can but shout aloud
the praises of God! Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as
it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end: and let all the
people say, amen, and amen!
Sacred song, the reading of the Bible,
the preaching of the Gospel, the Love Feast,
Experience and Glass Meetings, the Ad-
ministrations Of the Holy Ordinances, Revi-
val Meetings, the ever present Jesus, the
influences of the Holy Spirit, Converting
and Sanctifying power, all, all, indicate
the attribute of holiness as belonging to
the House of the Lord. Brethren, per-
mitted departure from this principle, will
be sure to bring damage-damage to the
souls of those who allow it, damage to
society, damage to the cause Of Christ.
Holiness becometh thine house, o Lord,
forever. All the symbols and ceremonies
of the Temple service and worship, we're
designed to teach purity and holiness. No
imperfection, no blemish, could be toler-
ated in the offered victim. Of the fruits of
the earth, the first and best, only, were
acceptable. And who but the High Priest,
and he but once year, could enter into
the holy Of holies9 "Be ye clean that
bear the vessels Of the Lord'' was an in
junction that nigh. never be disregarded.
Spiritual purity, alone, was well pleasing
in the sight Ct the Most High.
And how ftrvently did the people of God
love the sanctuary. Hear David. az was
glad when ley said unto me, let us go into
the house of the Lord" "My soul long
eth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of
the Lord" "One day in thy courts is
better than a thousand. had rather be a
door keeper in the House of my God, than
to dwell in the tents of wickedness. "Lord
have loved the habitation of thy house,
and the place where thine honor dwelleth."
And this doubtless was the common senti-
ment of all His saints.
The sanctuary was a refuge in trouble
and danger, and the horns of the alter were
the heather, the place of worship was
secure retreat, to which the prosecuted fled,
and from which they might not be dragged
forth for destruction. Awed by the fear
of the displeasure of the Gods, the spirit of
cruelty not unfrequently avoided the viola
ton of the temple, by walling up its por-
tails, that the refugees might never escape. |
An intense love for the sanctuary pre-
vailed among the early christians, and |
remarkably exhibited itself in the reign of |
Diocletian. When that emperor decreed |
the destruction of every copy of the Bible,
and every church in the empire. The chris
tians of a certain place in Phrggia crowded
into their house of worship, men, women
and children; nor could one of them be
Induced to leave it, by either the entreaties,
or the threats of the soldiers. They pre-.
ferred to perish in the flames which con-
sumed their holy sanctuary!
o how should we in this land of Bibles,
this land Of civil and religious liberty,
in all the ages, where science
is authenticated, and Art moves on with
starely step. and unchecked progress, tow
ards perfection; where agriculture and
commerce supply us abundantly with all
the blessings, which the fruitful earth
pours forth at God's command-how should
zoe lore the Sanctuaries of the Most High!
They are the centres of all that is good in
the world. From them radate truth and
enlightnining, exalting,
outstanding, sanctifying, our
humanity. Upon each, where
there are true worshipers, Jehovah has
his eye-with them He is well pleased, and
in them He has recorded His name. When
a new church, built with the free will offer
ings of those who would honor the Lord, is
dedicated to his worship; methinks the
very angels rejoice before the great white