National Republican., 1883-11-26
THE COMING OF CHRIST.

CHAPLAIN WILLS, AT THE MOUNT VERNON
CHURCH, EXPoUNDs THE PROPHECY OF
ISAIAH.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the
feet Of Him that bringoth good tidings that pub
that publshelh salvation that saith unto Zion,
thy God reigneth "-Isaiah, chap. III, verse Z.
The prophecy of Isaiah, said the preacher
has been noted above all other books for its
poetical beauty and gorgeous eloquence. 1t
has been called tho Fifth Evengeist, for it
speaks in glorious words of Christ, of His
kingdom and of its triumphs, not only in the
past, but in the future.
The text has referanoe to that grand and
glorious dispensation of which He is the
author and advocate.
The prophet describes scenes which have
occurred and forshadows events which will
occur in the future. The manner of Christs
coming is described in way which proclaims
greatness in itself. He is first described rs
sitting on the mountains or walking in the
valleys He is the bearer of good tidings,
and He himself is the greatest aud best of
these good tidings. He is able to save even
to the uttermost, and IL is impossible for us
TO comprehend how wonderful are these good
tidings. They contain everything. They
have all power to console the sons of afliction
These tidings proclaim, with all sincerity and
truth, that though your sins be as scarlet
they shall and can be made as white and pure
as snow.
The tender hearted Jesus says, "Come unto
me-" and He says it to all, for no one is so
wicked that he cannot be saved through
Him. Christ wants every one to come just
as he is, and not stop or wait to make any
changes in his attire, for He offers to save
you just as he finds you. Men are naturally
tho enemies Of God. The carnal mind is in
enmity to God and His ways. He is angry
every day, for we have laid ourselves liable
to His condemnation, and would continue to
do SO, but religion steps in and acts the part
of peacemaker and does all in its power to
reconcile the people to their Lord. The
legacy of Christ is richer than all the
wealth of the nations of the earth, and
it is only of late that the
eyes of man have been opened SO they could
see the riches of salvation. They have been
made partakers of the peace Of God which
surpasseth all understanding. He brings
good tidings of good, and by so doing has met
all requirements and supplied all things and
all people, for it is said, In Thy presence there
is fullness of joy His power lifts US up from
the paths of shame to places Of honor, and we
are placed on h level with Christ and the
angels, and we then become the sons of God.
and shall be as He is. The gospel of Christ
publishes salvation to all men of all classes
and of all ages who are cropping their way
through darkness for want of light. His
word furnishes that light. He left His
native paradise to save those who were
lost, and He has offered them salvation COM
plete in everything. The sweetest message
ever sent from Heaven was "Christ Jesus
come into the world to save sinners;" and He
came not simply to save them from physical
death, but from that death which destroys
tho soul. Salvation by Jesus Christ is what
we want, and He is here to give that all-savinl
salvation to all who will come and
take it. That Saviour we love and in
whom we believe is the Ruler as well
as the Redeemer of the world, and He
watches us by day and by night that no evi
shall come to us. Christianity is moving
grandly forward, and no power on earth car
stop its progress. Those who wish to bt
saved must fall in and follow in the train ol
abide the consequences For the seventh
angel is preparing to sound the truth thai
the kingdoms of this earth have become tht
Kingdoms of Christ Jesus The world il
growing better and wiser from year to year
and the day is not far distant when the joy
full shout will be heard in all the world ant
in heaven that the Lord God omnipoten
reigneth"