The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-03-25
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,

regret that we have not space tor Synop-
sis of it.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
REV. W. W. HEBERTON, PASTOR.
Text, Psalm %: " The Lord is my Shep-
herd: | shall not WANT &C., to the end.
The pastoral life which has furnished the
groundwork for this Psalm was Of honora-
Die distinction. Flocks and herds were the
cEief possessions OF Eastern nations, and
the work aud character OF shepherd was
not beneath the dignity of kings and princes.
The occupation, naturally enough, colored
their thoughts and literature. 1t supplied
the poet with tender and beautiful images
and the sacred writers with appropriate ma
terials for their allegory. This character as
typical of Christ was first mentioned by
Jacob and Moses, and from them borro wed
by the Prophets and brought into general
use In representing Christ as our Shop
herd, His people, His flock, and the visible
church the sheepfold, His proper relations
to His people are appropriately set forth.
But to turn to the Psalm. Its beauty and
attractiveneSs were alluded to. There are
some differences among interpreters re-
speeding its author. The speaker took the
commonly accepted view that David wrote
it, and regarded it as a leaf out of David $
heart records Of divine goodness and favor.
The first verse is the subject; the four fol
lowing illustrate it; and the last is David's
own tribute of faith aud gratitude. 1t I'M
folds Christs pastoral Office, and in doing
this it represents Him rs prociding for,
directing, and defending HIS .fock
1st, He prOrides for lis .6ock. &c He max
eth me to lie down in green pastures; he
leadeth me beside the still waters" The
world to the church of God is barren
desert; the soul being ''vital spark of
heavenly fame" finds nothing here to sat
isfy its heaven. born desires. 1t cannot
thrive on it's scanty and poor fare. 1t is
from these lands of drought and barren
ness that the Good Shepherd leads His
flock to those resttul enjoyments and pleas
ures, and that nourishiug fullness repre-
scented in the green pastures and "still
waters.' How refreshing and strength
giving this wholesome food be? How the
lean, hungry souls should thrive on such
diet? Among these manifold nonrish
ments, the cord is specifically meant
"Thy word is truth" and truth is the
food of the soul. The words of the Lord
are bread and meat to the soul, and hence
the testimony of the Palmist, " How sweet
are Thy words unto my taste" &c. There
is not enough Bible reading among Chris
tians. How often we notice that the Bl
bles of Christians have retained their crisp
freshness they got from the press. They
should be old and familiar. Bible study
will add spirit and vigor to every one who
engages in it. There is healthy growth
in this direction in the church. The soul
of one who feeds on the word will be green
and fresh in spiritual vigor With
the word we connect the ordinances which
convey and enforce it. Gods house is a
place which He loves to honor. Never for
sake it, &c, " the Lord loveth the gates of
Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. ;"
end He directs the f0ck. s. He restoreth
my soul, he leadeth me in paths of right
eousneSs." A two fold exercise here; that
of retaining the wanderer, and of lead
ing his reclaimed feet in the 'paths OF
righteousness. Sheep are proverbially
prone to wander, and are greatly Devil
dered when astray The resemblance is
exact Christians backslide and they are
restored David an example, and the Word
is explicit and definite on this point. Such
is Chrst's tender concern and love, NC.
He restores us by surprise and again by
gradual process. And He keeps our re-
claimed feet in the way.
3rd, lie defends His fock Yea, though
| walk &c. We are to expect support
and protection in the sevcrest calamitieS
and in the gathering darkness of the night
of death. None are left to perish. Each
is known of the Shepherd. He has given
each name. He loves each one with a
personal affection. He sares each with an
everlasting salvation. Thus David sings
this sweet song of trust Christians should
do the same. No sweeter song can they
sing sin the house of their pilgrimage p"
than this. Christians should appropriate
this wealth of personal attention, and live
in the sunshine of assurance and not allow
their souls to grope in the gloom of de
spondency. Look up, and see who is over
thee, with a care and love surprising that
of mankind.
No one went away without feeling that
the sinner had been faithfully warned and
the Christian strengthened by this sermon.
PORT DEPOSIT PRESBY'N CHURCH.
REV. THOMAS j. AIKEN, PASTOR.
The sermon in the morning was the fourth
of most admirable series of discourses
from list Timothy 8, 16. bringing out the
full meaning of the clause "preached unto
the Gentiles" with great clearness and
beauty.
The Gospel of the Son of God was pre-
scented as glad tidings for ali people; since
to the Gentiles Jas well as to the Jews His
messengers are sent to proclaim salvation,
to preach Christ As 1.-The true Cod and
yet imam" as the only authorized :!
yiour, the all-suftceut Saviour. the be
"Fiirrd as ",Iahov al who heaieth, The
bountIui =. Prpvilrr' for all oar NOD.
the water of Life the Bread al
b Heaven. ~ the Life" aud the uiyer of life