The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-12-22
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Lord, and compare with them the conduct Of
many in the church, We are constrained to
ask, "Where are his VOWS 2" His VOWS are
Of solemn import and were oft repeated-
When first he accepted the offer Of mercy
made to him as a lost and helpless sinner by
the compassionate Radeemer, he pledged his
sllegisnce in the spirit and perhaps in the
very words Of that song of GODS redeemed
people: 60 Lord, our God, other lords be-
side thee have had dominion over US but by
thee only will we make mention of thy
name. Or with heart overlooking with
grateful love, and an utterance chOked with
tender emotions, he sang,
"Welaome, welcome, dear Redeemer,
Welcome to this heart of mine;
Lord | make full surrender,
Every power and thought be thine;
Thine entirely,
Through eternal ages thine.
Nor are these private VOWS of cOnSecra'
tion'all; for he has publicly confessed Christ
before men. He Joined the Psalmist in say
ing: "I will 60 into thy house with burnt
offerings; I will pay thee my VOWS, which
my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath
spoken, when was in trouble. Every one
who has come into the communion of the
church, may be addressed in the language
FIRST spoken to Israel; Thou hast avouched
the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk
in his ways, and to keep bis statutes, and his
commandments, and bis judgments, and to
hearken unto his voice.
It is the custom in many of our churches,
that persons admitted to the communion ap-
pear before the congregation publicly to pro-
fsss their faith il Christ, and take upon them
solemn VOWS to serve the Lord. And there
Gin the presence Of all his people, they
rstify "tbeir covenant engagements to be
tho Lords" They are renewed from time
to time at the Lords table, when the be-
lever partakes of the sacrament. From sa-
crameptum, q military OATH There is a
renewal Of the oath Of allegiance to follow
Christ.
These VOWS are assumed Voluntarily
"One shall say, I am the Lords, and an
other shall call himself by the name Of the
God Of jacob; and another shall subscribe
with his hand unto the Lord, and surname
himself by the name of Isrsel." They
shall ask the way to Zion with their faces
thitherWard, saying, come and let US join
ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual cove
nant that shall not be forgotten.
IF a professor of religion, these VOWS Of
conservation rest upon you. That was not a
solemn farce that introduced you by public
pledges into the number of Gods people,
Il was not. as might be inferred from the in
activity and uselessness of many professors
ocreligjon, merely an admission to the roll
Of the church, giving title to heaven when
LIES journey is ended. On the other hand
the VOWS you have taken are of the deepest
import.
L You have pledged yourself to Christ as
one of that " peculiar people jealous of good
works" whom he has separated from the
world. You have vowed that you would re-
nounce the pomp and vanity of the world;
that your aims sbaG not be those of the men
Of this world; that you viii seek first the
kingdom Of God and his righteousness"
that the service of God shall have precedence
over worldly advantage or worldly pleasure.
Your separation is not that of tdo ascetie re-
moved from association with your fellow
men ; not that Of the mendieaut, who re-
nounces al worldly possessions and takes the
VOWS of eternal poverty; nor that of the eel
i5ate, whether priest, monk, or nun, who
diseard5 those social relationships and family
ties that bind the community Of mankind in
harmony. You are still in the world but not
of it. You sill hold your place in all worldly
interests and relationships; but your VOWS of
separation cousecrate all to God; they in
fuse the spirit Of your own new life into all.
" Holiness TO the Lord, is written upon the
vessels Of the house, the tolls Of the field, the
business Ct the exchange, the sacred family
bonds, and upon all human relationships.
Recall these VOWS Of separation when al
lurod too far along the path Of worldly pleas
ure. Recall them as you press with the
busy worldly shrong IN the race Of fortune,
aud in your TOO eager pursuit of the world
forget your Lord, and tie Welfare of his
church. Recall them ere solemn convictions
Of Christian duty are drowned in the dissi-
pasng Influences Of tho world.
,. You hare presented your body a liV-
ing sacrifice to God; and pledge the en-