Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-08-19
MechanybWn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Aug 49, 1885,
est spiritual interests.

sacrifice was offered, or the father viii
his family surrounded the altar OF
which they laid the sacrifice and wor
SHIPPED God, and this for $500 years
was the only form of Divine worship
After God gave Moses the decalogue
he instituted public or congregations
worship under the Levitical rites and
ceremonies which continued for about
1900 years, till Christ came according
to prophesy and fulfilled the types and
shadows Of the old dispensation. Then
the Divine will was more fully reveal
ed and spiritual laws were unfoldod in
q brighter light and the means that
man was to use were clearly indicated
The laws Of the spiritual world were
the same from the beginning, Christ
was the lamb of God slain from the
foundation of the world, but these
laws We're progressively revealed ac-
cording to the progressive unfolding
and developement Of the Divine plan
under each age and the need of men.
Although a full and complete revela-
ton, the last that will be given during
time, was made more than 1900 years
ago, vet the truths that revelation con-
taincs like the laws that govern vege-
table growth, must be studied, and
man must exercise his own intelligence
as fee moral agent in the use of the
means of grace to secure the best re
suits. During these eighteen centuries
as generation followed generation and
the study and experience of the father
was handed down to the son, men at
tanned to clearer views OF spiritual
laws and were able to use the means
of grace more efficiently.
From apostolic times there always
have been those who had intelligent
views of the gospel and those who used
the means Of grace effectively; but for
many centuries the majority did not
have the means of studying the scrip
lures or were surrounded by influences
that led them to give but little atten-
ton to it. The simple acceptance Of
Christ by faith as an all sufficient Say
iour and trust that led men to obey
the essential duties enjoined, always
was and will be cNtctual in saving the
soul: but those who attain to the
cle;rcst views OF spiritual laws and are
most dilgent in the Use of the means
Of grace always have and always vii!
ENJOY the greatest spiritual benefits
and be most useful in the world, Christ )
great harvest field,
Clear correct views OF the scriptures
afford comfort and increase our useful
ness, because Il knowledge Of the gospel
confirms our faith, establishes us in
fixed principles and enables Us to per
severe in the proper use Of the means
Of grace, uumoycl by doubts and fears
and unshakrn by every wind of doc
trine, ism or measure that may be in
trodu2td. But vague and shldoWr
IDEAS Of spiritual truth leaves the mind
in an unsettled state, like a troubled
SUI that is never at rest. To-day it
believes one thing and tomorrow an
other, to-day it follows this idea and
employs one measure and tomorrow
another, because he has no fixed prin-
cIplc, because he does not know and
obey the spiritual laws, because lie
don't know what religion is-whethcr
Chlist is here or there, whether he is
right OF Wrong.
\ clear knowledge Of gospel truth
teaches mar his duty under all cirrum-
stances, under the sins Of intirmitv
which are committed every day by all
ana under greater transgroSslons which
are common to weak human nature, it
points out the remedy and leads him
in humble repentance to seek Divine
pardon through Christ, and makes him
more watchful that he may not again
fall into temptation and stimulates him
to Il more faithful Use Of the means of
grace.
Clear correct views Of spiritual laws
enable men to he more useful in Christ S
harvest field, because such knowledge
enables them as the apostle requires,
"to Give every one an answer that ask
eth reason why Of the faith that is i'll
them" and according to Christ's COM
mand, they are able by their lives "to
let their light shine
This class of christians are "thc very
salt of the earth, the salt whose savol
preserves the church from the assaults
Of atheism intilelity and all forms Of
skepticsm and Ianatcism and "they
are the salt whose SAVIOR confirms and