Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-10-14
CON IN THE MIDST OF HIS PEOPLE.
Reported for tbs Ledger.

itsported for this Ledger.
The Rev. j. g. Reason, ID. d.
commenced his sermon at the Pres
byterian church on Sunday morn.
Ing by remsrking that the presence
OF God with Israel was symbolized In
order of their encampments. The
Leyites pitched their tents around the
Tabernacle In the midst OF the twelve
tribes, and over and above all were
the pillar and cloud until they
reached the promised land.
In the temple also, continued the
reverend speaker, were constant
manifestations Of the Divine presence
from it's dedication to its destruction.
Nor did God then abandon his
chosen. He was with them at Kedar
and when they hung their harps upon
the willows OF the waters of Baby
lon. After the return, when those
that had seen the first temple wept
ON account of the compare tive in
significance of the foundations of The
second, it was inlimated that the
latter should be rendered more gior-
ious than the former by the advent of
the son Of man. In this way was
God in the midst OF Israel from the
commencement TO the end OF that
dis%pensation.
God was also visible with Stephen
in his martyrdom, and with the Dis
ciples in the prosecutions that follow
ed. Every possible effort was then
made to destroy the young church,
but no hand raised against it pros
pered. 1t took but three centuries
for the church, with Divine assistance,
to triumph over paganism and the
Roman Empire.
Thus in all their expe, fence was
God in the midst Of his people a
tower Of refuge and a power of de-
l~iverance. He never abandoned them
wholly. He was with them in their
joys and disciplines, in their victories
and defeats, and what was true of the
past is as true of the present. The
abundance of the harvest all around
us is ample evidence that it is soon
to be reaped.
Now, how is God With his people?
LIST. He is with them by his word.
At no period has he been without a
revelation, not indeed given at n
time, but developed as a growth in
nature. 1t came for the perfecting of
saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the ody OF Christ,
till we all come in the unity of faith
and of the knowledge of the Son OF
God unto a perfect man, unto the
measure and stature of the fullness
of Christ, that We be henceforth no
more children tossed to and fro and
carried about with every wind of doc,
trine.
Being a minister, the reverend
speaker said he had no disposition t.
speak too highly of ministers, but this
was true; unless a mar was called Of
God he had no right to preach. II
, is the calling and Office that was
worthy of being magnifed as the EN-
bassadorship of the Almighty.
And lastly God is in the midst o
his people by his spirit.
= 1t was the Savior himself who sail
sit is expedient for you that l g
away: for if I go not away the Com
forter will not come unto you an
when be is come he will reprove tn
world of sin aud of righteousness an
of judgment of sin because they be
lieve not on me: of righteousness
because I go to the Father and y
see me no more: of judgment he
cause the prince of this world
Judged
The spirit accordingly descended q
Pentecost, fitted the Disciples for th
work they ere to accomplish an
enabled them to start.a spiritual ten
T pie upon the foundation Of Chri:
and his Apostles, which is destine
Il to be carried up from that rock unit
10 its last cap-sheaf shall be laid.
Such thoughts should be encouras
ing. If God has benin the midst
his people since the beginning, shou'
there be any despair concerning IL
L kingdom now or hereafter?
Cities may rise and fall, earthquake
re may shake their foundations al
cause them to totter, cyclones mi
% tear them to pieces, and the elemen
themselves may melt with ferva
heat, but the church of God, in
% hands, is safe now and forever.
e--