Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-08-05
The Ark of the Covenant.

The subject brought to view in
the question proposed by our Sun
day school superintendent at
Stokes schC3l house, is one of ex-
ceeding inter t, very. The Ark of
the Covena tits contents and
their significance. The Ark it's
self was emblamatical of the pres
once of God among this people as
their covenant God; and its con-
tents indicated the nature of that
covenant. IT'S value for us, its es-
Sc ltial glory and stability is feebly
set forth by the Ark, constructed
as it was of the most valuable
wood and entirely overlaid with
the most precious and imperish4-
BILE of metals. That God-the AL
mighty Creator Of the universe
of all things visible and invisible,
"In whem we live and move and
h -e our being" should condos
cend to enter into such relations
with reoell'ous worms of the dust,
and b I'd himself to them by
promises, may we'll excite the won
def and admiration oil all created
intelligences, and it was as the
Apostle says, ''That we might
have strong consolation, who have
fled for refuge, to lay hold upon
the hope set before us by the Cos
pei" By the pot of mamma we are
reminded of the Providential care
of God, supplying our wants ; not
as exercised over the good and bad
alike, but as pledged to his trust
ing and obedient people. "If We
be willing and cbedient We shall
eat the good ofthe land" "Seek
first the Kingdom of God, and His
righteousness and all these things
shall be added to you"
OF Aaron's rcd that budded, we
read in the 18th chapter of Num-
bers; and we learn from it that
God is among His people, not on
ly as a father supplying their
wants, but as a King establishing
their rights, and assig ming to each
one their appropriate position and
service. We may trust our reputa-
ton and all our interests in the
hand Of our covenant God. But q
covenant implies mutual obliga-
tons. 1t implies too parties, each
of which has pledged his word to
the other, for the fultillment ofcer-
tain conditions. The two tablets
upon which were inscribed the
ten commandments were called
Heb. 9th, the tables of the cove
nalt. Moses received them from
the hands of God, and fastened to
place them in the ark ofGod which
he had made, thereby pledging
the nation to their acceptance and
observance. "Thy word have /
hid in my mouth that / might not
sin against Thee
The Israelites were Gods ancient
covenant people, and although
they have broken it, have failed
to perform their part, God is faith
full, and they are kept a separate
people, scattered among all ma
tions, reserved for the accomplish
ment of other precious promises
when they repent and return to
their covenant God, as we know
from prophecy that they will be-
hold the days come he Lord, that
l will make a new covenant with
the house of Israel, and the house
of Judah, not according TO the
covenant that | made with their
fathers when | brought them out
of Egypt, which my covenant they
brake, although l was a husband
to them, saith the Lord. But this
shall be the covenant that l will
make with the house of Israel: /
will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts, and
will be their God and they shall
be my people. / will fotgiye their