The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-30
Jesus, "Counsellor."
BY REV. H. R. RAYMOND, D. D., MARION,
ALABAMA.

A.
Sometimes there is very much in a
name. 1t was key to the entire mission
of the babe of Bethlehem when 1t was
announced, His name shall be called
Jesus, for he shall save his people from
their sins" When the old prophet says
of the coming Messiah, ellis name shall
be called Counsellor, he portrays one OF
the most precious facts in the application
of redemption, and gives touching view
of Christ's relation to his disciples. We
need Counsellor. "He that trusteth to
his own heart is fool" In the common
affairs OF life We are often perplexed, find
ing that we are not sufficient of ourselves
to think any thing as of ourselves The
pathway of the present is full of uncer-
tainty and the future seems dark. Rea-
son and experience fail to remove the
cloud; but these are burdens we can
cast on the Lord Jesus We should learn
to pray over the experiences and events
of each day. We are told to look to him
in such trials: In all thy ways acknowl-
edge him and he will. direct thy paths"
As believers, our browning interest is the
soul, its relations, temptations, and re-
sponsibilities. In the Christian race we
are soon convinced of the inadequacy OF
all the help we can bring from within or
from the world without. If Christ had
not said so emphatically without me
we can do nothing" we would still have
learned from felt sense of our weakness
and blindness that in the struggle for life
eternal, Vain is the help OF man" Oh
what refuge for the weary soul is Christ,
them How anxiously, or rather, how
trustfully, should we betake ourselves to
the blessed One whom our heavenly
Father has sent to us as a Counsellor"
In difficult and vital cases we would
be naturally solicitous about the wisdom
and knowledge of one to whom we would
apply for direction. We need not hest
tate In regard to Him who offers to guide
us to blissful Immortality, for we have
heaven s own testimony, This is my be-
loved Son; hear we him" Nothing can
be wanting in the Son, who is the bright
ness of the Fathers glory and the ex-
press image of his person. The faithful
have had rich and ample evidence of
what Isaiah foretold of him: "The Spirit
of the Lord shall rest upon him, the
spirit of wisdom and understanding the
spirit of counsel and might the spirit of
knowledge and of the fear of the Lord
and shall make him of quick understand
ing in the fear of the Lord" What to
do, and how to do it, are all important
questions with us, and this is the special
province of Jesus Christ as Counsel
ior. He knows our thoughts, perceives
our difficulties, and understands our need
He knows Gods thoughts also, even all
those great and glorious thoughts which
constitute the purpose of grace. The
Apostle describes our Counsellor" in a
sentence: In him are hid all the treas
ures of wisdom and knowledge" And
shall we not avail ourselves of these
treasures? Prayer is q. blessed privilege
The way is open to the divine fountain
of light and life. eff any man lack wis
dom, let him ask of God that giveth to
all men literally and upbraideth not; and
it shall be given him." The Saviour
communicates his counsels by the Holy
Ghost. che shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remem-
brance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Spirits offers Of light and guidance
are always at the command of believing
prayer fye then being evil know how
to give good gifts unto your children, how
much more shall your Father which is in
heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that
ask him" The word OF life must be read
by us, for these inspired utterances are
the teachings of the Counsellor" I'll
we hide it in our hearts, it will prove
lamp to our feet, and light to our paths.
1t is truly the book Of heavenly wisdom.
full of counsels for the aged and the
young. Blessed are they who from youth
have known the Scriptures which are
able to make us wise unto salvation