The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-22

caslon for anxiety, lest the sacredness of
the Christian Sabbath be violated2 We
feel ourselves bound to remind you that
the lone day in seven has been marked
off as holy to the Lord not, indeed, the
only day that is holy, but that which,
enthroned in it's sovereign sphere y
witnesses for and is an aid to, the holt
ness of every day. Let us warn you
against the laxities, which are increas-
ing amongst us. Let us suggest to you
that whatever takes from the religious
character of the day, brings it so much
more within the sphere of influences,
which, secularising it, imperil the con-
tlnuance of its blessings for the weary
sens of toll. Should we not beware of
contributing by our example to such
seCularisation? Should we not make it
manifest that to us it is a delight, holy,
and honorable?" Not a time draped
IN black, sad and dreary, but a time
brimful of JOY in the Lord, consecrated by
the worship, whose note was struck in
the message of the Resurrection Morn
ing. "The Lord is not in the grave :
He has risen2' And, earnestly In this
connection, would we remind our breth-
rem that they are responsible to Christ
and HIS Church for regular and hearty
participation in the services of the Sane
tuary. This is no mere matter of per-
sonal liking; 1t is q matter of personal
duty. The Christian member is as much
bound to be in his pew, as the Christian
minister is to be in his pulpit. The
worship of God is their common business.
and the sign of their common priesthood.
Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to
enter into the Hottest by the blood of
Jesus, let us not forsake the assembling
OF ourselves together, as the manner Of
some is.
10 your warmest regards, we com
mend the Missionary agencies and eff
forts of our Churches. Our hearts de-
sire and prayer is that Christs people
may realise, with new vividness and
force, the truth of His peremptory com
mandment, to go into all the world and
make disciples of all nations. 1t has
cheered us to listen to the accounts Of
beloved missionaries who have been pre-
sent at our meeting, and to be assured
that, whilst it is still the day of small
things, the signs of the Holy Spirits
power IN the missions of the Church are
not withheld. Indeed, the results in
most parts of heathendom already re-
alised are exceedingly abundantly above
what, considering the faith essness of the
Church, we might have expected to re-
ceive.
Would that all Churches were blessed
with new baptism of the Holy Ghost
and of fire! Then would the Word of
God have free course and be magni6ed
Then would the Gospel of Christ break
forth on the right hand and on the left.
Beloved, we need more clear apprehen-
sion of the will of God as to the salvation
OF men. We need more sympathy with
the heart OF God, in His longing for the
answering love of the heart of man
Think of God so loving the world as to
give His only begotten Son Do we not
feel the throb of that love in our hearts
Will we not seek to have a part in send
ing the good news of the Kingdom to
every creature?
The members of the several Churches
all who have the privileges of gospel
mlnlstry-will not be slow to prove their
gratitude for such privileges by the lib
eral support of those who are called to
minister In holy things, and by their gifts
to the treasury of the Lord, for the sake
OF His cause, and for the purposes con-
nected with Christian philanthropy.
Systematic benevolence is greatly need
ed among us. This does not interfere
with the spontaneity which should mark
all Christian offering: it is only the mode
OF giving effect to the will quickened into
activity by the sense of the love Of Christ.
May we remind you of the apostolic or
der as to sacrifice? First, your ourselves
consecrated to the Lord, and then yours
What you have is the expression of what
you are. What gain to the work cfI
God would be realised, if those who know
the grace of Christ, more fully acted mn
to the precept of ST. Paul-6t to Law bT
them In store as God had prospered them"
How solemnly the word of the prophet
sounds IN our ears, Eye have robbed
God. Wherein have we robbed? In
tithes and offerings. Bring We all the
tlthess into the store house, that there
may be meat in mine house and prove
me now herewith, saith the Lord of
Hosts, II will not open you the windows
OF heaven, and pour you out a BLESSING
That there shall not be room enough 10
receive it. ~
Beloved fathers and brethren in tho
of the Nbr;et;o,, GU