Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-15
The Creator.

While the object of the Old Testament
Scriptures was to predict and prepare for
the coming of Jesus Christ among men, a
subsidiary object was to preserve the knowl-
edge of the creator Of the world. The Lord
Jesus in the presence of Plate witnessed
a good confession when he declared, "To
this end was born, and therefore came /
into this world, that might bear witness
unto the truth: every one that is of the
truth heareth my voice." The truth, then,
was in the world before the coming of
Jesus. And among the foremost of the
truths Of the Old Testament is that of a
personal and spiritual creator. How
important is the revelation of a spiritual
creator In fact, the purity of mankind
depends upon freedom from all sensual
ideas in worship, which is evident from the
sensual views and corrupt self.indulgence
attending all idolatrous rites in all ages.
When Ahab and Ahaz had fastened idolatry
on the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the
time for the captivity of those kingdoms
had arrived, Just as the time for the exter-
mination of the nations of Canaan had ar
rived, when the iniquity of the Amorites
was full. In the same manner the revela-
tion of a personal creator, which is made in
Genesis one, and is reiterated in the Psalms,
is shown by Isaiah to be both the spring
and the soace of faith as opposed to fate.
The prophet points out that "the creator of
the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither Is
weary" And therefore he infers "that
they that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength they shall run and not be
weary they shall walk and not faint"
The ancient philosophers and modern men
of science find no room for faith in the
reign of impersonal law. For all these
there is no renewal of strength, nor waiting
on the Lord in prayer. Whatever relation
man bears to the present, past, or future, he
can have little, if any, element Of RESPONSE
bility, since, if there be nothing but law,
there is nothing but fate. We observe a
third consequence of the doctrine of per-
sonal creator. 1t is holy, wise and gov.
erning providence, which is the very food
and life of piety. Piety is a walk. The
gods Of Lucretius and the Epicureans are lazy
gods, who never walk, but only sleep. But
when the Psalmist says "the Lord is in his
holy temple" he adds, his eyes behold,
his eyelids try the children of men," There
fore Jehovah provides for his people, and
will Judge the earth, since he hath made all
things for himself; and even the wicked for
the day of evil. The day of judgment is
the elimination of providence, in its equit-
able adjustments forever and ever. Finally,
creation is the reason for redemption--for a
redeemed "earth and heavens, wherein
dwelleth righteousness" and a redeemed
race traced to the second Adam. Because
the prodigal son was the fathers own child,
therefore he received, welcomed and re-
joiced over him, calling him "my son."
which was lost and is found. 1t was be-
cause the sheep was his oon the shepherd
sought it. st. Paul explains these connec-
tions well and clearly in saying to the men
of Lystra that "they should turn from their
vanities unto the living God, which made
heaven and earth and the sea, and all things
that are therein" And although many
kings and wise men in the ancient ages de-
sired to know these simple elementary prin-
ciples of truth, whicn we all receive, but
which infidelity continually denies, how
strange does it seem that we have to fall
back upon their defense over and over
again But let it suffice that the New Tes.
lament affirms the Old; and Jesus Christ
connects them both, for without him was
not anything made that was made" for
"by him were all things created all things
were created by him and for him and he
is before all things, and by him all things
consist. ."-lSotcer and Gospel Field.