The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-10-29

the fact that the disciples going to EN-
nize Jesus, all along the way where they
conversed with him; not until they full
filled his commands in the exercise OF
hospitality did they suddenly discover
how their hearts had burned with the
thoughts he had given them. mot by
hearing his precepts," says Gregory in
one of his homilies, "but by doing them,
did they receive illumination" When
any one sets about dedicating his being
unto being like God, this act of giving
himself away under covenant, opens his
mind to the value of what he is getting
as divine return. Mystery ceases, and
reality begins. There was mission girl
in Africa, educated in Christian school,
who advanced so far in religious thought
that she regarded the Bible with an al
most superstitious reverence; at great
labor she obtained an entire copy of the
New Testament, and nightly secreted it
as talisman or charm under her pillow,
saying, when she was discovered, that
she expected the spirit of the book "
would enter into her, and she would
wake some fair morning as good and
happy as some she knew about her.
Surely, this is not the way to profit by
gift of celestial charity. One of the
Hottest steps of Christian conservation is
reached, when man begins to realize
fully that God has invited him to ask all
he needs in the very moment he has given
away all he has in the world. Prayer is
not thereafter a charm, but blessed
business transaction. Just as Matthew
Henry says, it is the key of the morn
ing, and the bolt of the evening"" it is
the instrument of provision and protec-
ton.
5. So we reach the last step of all in
this dedication of soul to be the temple
of the Holy Ghost Solomon suggests his
sense of lifelong need for the divine
companionship and help. The astonish-
ing thing to be observed, beyond every
thing else in this eloquent liturgy, is the
commonplaceness of the royal requests
He talks about trespasses and enemies,
about rain and famine, about strangers
and battles, about sIns,-sins last and
most of all, as if he felt the supreme
peril there must he in the one abomina-
BILE thing which God hates 1t is this
final offer of committing all ones ways,
daily, habitual, prosaic, unto the sole
guidance and care of the Almighty, that
constitutes the highest act of Christian
conservation, and renders the devout soul
OF to-day ready to exclaim, with the de-
vout soul of old, Arise, o Lord God, into
thy resting place p
AS might be expected, the narrative
nj NTH { IL
presence: one can seem to see the splen-
dor of the heavenly fame; one can al
most hear the great volume of excited
voices, as the people unite in their chorus
with the multitude of psalteries and
harps; one can listen to the crash of Gym
balls, and the clangor of the trumpets
| q Chron. Z 1-3).
1t remains for US, at the conclusion of
this slender, but, perhaps, quite sufficient,
analysis, to return to the practical ques-
ton with which we set outflow can
one most fttingly discharge the duty of
dedicating himself to God? Let him be-
gin to reflect that he must be serious, for
the Lord God never trihes let him re-
member that God is merciful, and always
keeps his covenant; let him divest him
self of all conceit and spiritual vanity,
and humble himself before his Maker
let him establish open and instant com
munication with the Hearer of prayer at
the foot Of His throne; and then let him
pass over his whole life and being,-body,
soul, and spirit,-without reserve, into
the keeping OF his God So will he find
that the Holy Ghost will come down into
his own temple, and will food the soul of
his chosen child with peace and JOY, with
love and song, glorionsly and forever.