The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-23
From the North Care ina Presbyterian
THE LAST ORDER.

On the 10Th of April, 1865; more than ter
years ago-how time flies General Lee is
sued General Order No. g, announcing the
surrender of the Army Of Northern Virginia
with words Of con6denee and sffectionate fare
we'll to the tried yet Who had followed
him during four years Of arduous warfare
Who does not recall the surge Of feeling that
overswept his soul, when first he heard OF
read that last order of the revered commander
to Lis devoted troops? Who that counts him
self as one of Lees soldiers, does not treasure
these last words in his heart, and remember
with mingled feelings of melancholy and pride,
the hour of its sad utterance, and the many,
many times when the leader and the led suf.
fered and triumphed together?
The Captain of our Salvation has given
His followers last command. More than
eighteen hundred years ago, on the brow OF
Olivet and in sight of Jerusalem, company
of wondering disciples received from their
Lord His final orders. And then before
their astonished and adoring gaze, He as
cended to His throne. Few, dspirited, be-
wildered, without resources, power, or cul'
ture, they were given the tremendous and
glorious duty: $50 ye into all the world
and preach the Gospel to every creature. .
What a commission And lest the cry might
arise, Who is sufficient for these thingsf
there is added the comforting assurance,
the inspiriting promise, "Lo, l am with you
always, even unto the end of the world"
No one who accepts the service of the Lord
Jesus Christ, but believes that this order is
still imperative. Whatever may have been
the apostolic zeal, and however rapidly and
faithfully this Gospel may have then been
carried to all the accessible world, it is a
patent fact that the vast majority of the
human family are in heather darkness to-
day.
Never before has the whole world been
open as it is now to the aggresSions Of the
Gospel. For long time the prayer of the
Church has been to open wide and effectual
doors for the ingress of the Word. That
prayer has been heard and answered. The
doors are now opened wide. The time has
come for the execution of the order. The
honor is given to the Church to-day to enter
and possess the land. The pckets who have
long watched the lines-and some of the
bravest have "fallen on sleep" before the day
of triumph dawned-who have prayed and
wrestled for this hour of hope, tell US thai
the barricades are removed-the way is open
the whole army may advance! The day
of deliverance, of glorious victory draws
nigh.
Was there ever such an opportunity ?
And shall the Church be slow to seize it :!
The command comes not only to the out
posts, the missionaries who have gone or
picket-to the generals and leaders, but tt
every soldier along the lines-"Go ye into al
the world and preach the Gospel to every
creature.
Do we love our assembled Lord? Do w
recognize Him as our Leader, and seek tx
do His will? Let us remember His las
order, and treasure it in our heart of hearts
Let it be our daily endeavor to obey thi
command. Let the humblest and poores
member of the Church feel it not only duty
but privilege to do what lies in his powe
to preach the Gospel to the heather tina
he cannot afford to lose the opportunity Il
do good. Water that does not flow grow
stagnant. cit is more blessed to give thai
receive" says One whose word is truth.
If we fail to meet the opportunity, ou
Lord will deny to US the glory of conquer
ing the world to Himself. We prove craven
on the field of victory. We fly from tn
coveted honor. The hour when He "shal
see of the travail of His soul and be salts
fed" when "He shall have dominion ais
from sea to sea, and from the river to tn
ends of the earth" is delayed. Is this tn
way to show our love, to prove our obedi
ence to Him who has bought US with Hi
own blood, and made US co-workers togethe
with Him?
1t is related of the Duke of Wellington
that young clergyman, deprecatiDg tn
growing interest in Indian missions manifest
ed in England, and aware that the Duke wa
familiar with the character of the Hindoo'
asked him if he did not think it useless an
unwise to attempt to establish missions
India. The Iron Duke answered with sever
, ity, "Useless and unwiae-that is not fc
; you to decide. Your Captain knows bes
What are your marching orders 2
Fellow.soldiers, our marching orders arr
$50 ye into all the world and preach tn
gospel to every creature" This is our 81
yiour's last command. Shall we forget it
7 Two PERSONS were walking together on
e very dark night, when one said to the othel
who knew the road we'll: 81 shall folio
Won On as In be right" He soon fell into