St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-01-02

The jewish law is then fulfilled, ended,
and we are to go to the new law, which
commenced on the resurrection morn
ing and shall last till time is swallowed
up in eternity, to know what we shall
do and what we shall leave undone.
In comparing the two laws we are
struck in the first place with the differ
ence in rewards. The jewish were all
temporal-the land of Canaan, protec-
wealth and prosperity; whereas the
Christian law promises compensation
| chiefly in the life to come. The dis
ciple of Christ is tried in the furnace Of
temptation, called to pass through the
deep waters OF atf1iction, and is often
embodied in the cold whitening embrace
of poverty and restitution, but With
the aid of Love and Faith he can rise
above it all, refined, purified, pressing
onward cheerfnlly to his reward in the
life to come. In the second place, with
the differences in the ordinances, where
as the Jewish were numerous and bur
densome, the apostle says more than
they and their fathers could bear, the
Christian has only two.
Christ tells us His yoke is easy and
his burden is light. Let us see what he
has required of lis. To believe i'll Him
as the only atOnement, and be baptized
as al evidence of our faith. commence
rate His death in the Lords supper,
study His will, worship, love, trust and
pray to Him for aid. All other com
maDds are of personal and social ma
ture. The aim of the new law is spiri-
tual, to lift man above himself and
bring him nearer to God, and it is well
for man to utilize all means within his
reach to assist him in becoming more
Christlike. Therefore it is just and
proper that we should devote a portion
of our time entirely to this important
end. Let our busy hands and active
brains rest from objects of time and let
us not, as the Apostle tells lis, refuse !
the assembling of ourselves together
for divine worship. No light matter
will excuse Christian from this duty. |
Attendance upon preaching once or
twice a month, gs the case may be. con-
tents the majority of Christian societies.
The apostle does not say our meeting |
together depends on having regularly |
ordained minister. Any Christian can |
read a portion Of scripture. ANY one
can pray. or if they cannot they should |
learn. All can sing. Each heart can |
feel grateful for blessings received and !
utter a silent prayer for assistance in !
the future. Therefore no society is cx-
cusable for not celebrating every Lords !,
day with public worship and as We have !
no plain command, no example in the |
New Testament for the further employ
ment of our time, let gratitude, pro-
priety and a general fitness of things |
regulate our conduct and let us be GER
tain to do nothing that there is the least
doubt about being right from scrip
tuial standpoint on any other day Of
the week, and let us beware thinking
that a rigid observance of the Sabbath
can purchase immunity for violating
plain commands during the week. No
Christian duty is more plainly inculca-
ted in the epistles than obedience to the
powers that be. Hence we are to obey
all of our civil regulations regarding
the Sabbath, and in this as in all things
else let US live solely to the honor Of
God.
Mrs. F. A. HOwORyH.