Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-10

i TO be able to .fc the attention on any subject
that interests us is valuable gift, existing
among men in different degrees and one which
usually increases in proportion as 1t Is exercised
But he who exercises no control over himself
IN this respect acquires such a volatility OF
mind, and such vagrancy of imagination, as
to become the sport of every mental vanity
desiring no profit by the spoken word
(2) It's Ow,, Importance. In: this respect
nothing can compare with it. Its nature, char
acter, authority, and especially It's connection
with our present and future interest, unite TO
elevate it infinitely above every other book
1T is the Word of God. y The Gospel OF
our salvation" II an earthly monarch were to
speak to us, we should be all attention; but
when God The King Of King speaks to
us, we obey him not, nor dove heed hun. >.
We pay the most uDhagglng attention to trl,
hes, las did the 'Pharisecs though they, neglected
the wcighticr matters OF the law. We are fia-
gravity carelcss about the most solemn things.
The importance of Gods word is seen also IN
the fact, that on it hangs our eternal all, and,
therefore, it demands our most serious aten-
ton.
We should hear
?. With P,nfonnd. Reverence We must
not listen to the word rs to the fictlclous repre-
sentations of dream.
1t is truth-etcrna truth. 1t will outllvc
fiction, and survive the world. les,-
''Firm as rock his truth shall stand,
When rolling years shall cease to move
1t is saving truth and truth by which we
must all be Judged Those who hear it are ca
pable of receiving it or rejecting it; and upon
their accepting or rejecting it, depends their
eternal salvation: To all who hear the Gospel,
it is either tie ''savor of life unto life, or Of
death unto death" Cor. lilo. Let US,
therefore, "Receivc with meekncss the engratt-
ed word which is able to save the soul. y
James l-2l.
We should hear
8. Thc Spirit Of Pimyr-It is necessary
that we should pray for our daily bread? 1t is:
But it is much more necessary that We should
solicit the Divine blessing in connection with
the bread of life. We must pray that the
word may be made blessing to ourselves aud
our families Pray that it may be word Of
conviction and conversion to the sinner and of
enlightenment, comfort, and cdltcauon to the
believer. Pray, also, for its ministers, that,
through them, it may 'have free course and
be glortied
We should hear
t. With FuM 1t is not enough that the
word be preached in faith; it must also be
heard III faith So says Paul OF the Anclcnts-
That the word profitcd them nothing, not be.
ing mixed with faith in them that heard 1t.
Heb. iv-o. Our great concern is not to hear
the word that we may philosophizc upon it,
but 50 as to be saved by it. "All the promises
Of God in him are yea, and in him Amen. -
The Great Teacher himself ''cou Id not, on one
occasion, ''do many mighty wor Ks because OF
the peoples ''unbcliet.' Math. xiii BE
licye on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt
be saved" Believe in his sacrifice, and Ill
his willingness to save.
We should hear
5. With a Resolution to Pimctice. Let US
give to the Gospel living form. Embody Its
principles and precepts in our lives. BE llv-
ing epistlcs. Let the features Of Christianity
be as distinctly visible in your depC3rtment as
are the sentiments Of we'll dictated letter.
Be Sights in the world On this your chief
happiness depends IF We know these things,
happy are ye if We do them.
TO the unsaved we say Practice what you
hear, least your abascd opportunities condemn
YOU at the last "Ie that knoweth his mast
er's will and doeth it not, shall be beaten with
many stripes" 1t will be more tolcrable 10
the day Of judgment for the heather who have
never heard the Gospel, than for the sons and
daughters of Virginia, a,-the sons and daug gh-
ters of America, who have often heard, but
never obcycd. That you may escape the woe
of the finally impcnitcnt, yield at once to the
Gosnel. 1t offers free, full, and present sal
vation. 1t has long done SO, and DOW, after
vcars of rebellion, it still does so. Submit to
the teachings, and yield to the influences OF the
Gospel and life, eternal life, is yours.
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