Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-19

The sunshine and the showers and the har-
tests and in proportion as he is worshiped
does plenty reign.
| THE NEED OF REFUGE.
So also in the Temple of Diana the world
Expressed its need of refuge To it from
Eli parts of the land came debtors who
could not pay their debts and the Offend
trs of the law that they might escape in
generation. But she sheltered them only
a little while, and while she kept them
from arrest she could not change their
hearts and the guilty remained guilty.
But, our God in Jesus Christ is refuge
into which we may fly from all our sins
md all our pursuers, and not only be safe
Tor time, hut safe for eternity, and the
quilt is pardoned and the nature is trans
formed. What Diana could not do for her
worshipers, our Christ accomplishes for us.
Rock Of ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Then, in that temple were deposited
treasures from all the earth for safe keep.
ing. Chrysostom says it was the treasure
house of nations: they brought gold and
silver and precious stones and coronets
from across the sea, and put them under
the care of Diana of the Ephesians. But
again and again were those treasures ran
sacked, captured or destroyed. Nero
robbed them, the Scythians scattered them,
the Goths burned them. Diana failed
those who trusted her with treasures. but
orr God. tn him we NAV intrust ali orr
treasures for this world and the next, and
fail any one who puts confidence in him he
never will. After the last jasper column
has fallen, and the last temple on earth has
gone into ruins, and the world itself has
suffered demolition, the Lord will keep for
us our best treasures.
But notice what killed Ephesus and
what has killed most of the cities that lie
buried in the cemetery of nations. Lux.
uryl The costly baths, which had been
the means of health to the city became its
! ruin. Instead of the cold baths that had
been the IMMIGRATION of the people, the
hot baths. which are only intended for the
inlirm or the Invalid, were substituted
! In these hot baths many lay most of the
time. Authors wrote books while in these
| baths. Business was neglected and n hot
bath taken four or five times day. When
the keeper of the baths was reprmanded
for not having them warm enough one of
the rulers said. "You blame him for not
making the bath warm enough: I blame
YOU because you have it warm at all"
But that warm bath which eneryated
Fphesus. and which is always enervating
except when followed by cold baths Ono
reference. of course, to delicate consttu-
tions), was only type of what went OH in
all departments of Ephesian life, and in
luxurious indulgence Ephesus fell. and the
last triangle of music was tinkled in
Diana's temple. and the last wrestler dis
appeared from her yvmnasiums. and the
last racer took his garland in the Stadium,
and the last plea was heard in her Forum,
and even the sea. as if to withdraw the
last commercial opportuuity from that
metropolis. retreatcd down the beach, leay-
ing her without the harbor in which
had f1oated a thousand Ships. BROOKLYN,
, Now York London and all modern cities
cisatlaptic and transatlantic take warn.
inpl What luxury unguarded did for
Ephesus. luxury unguarded maydo for all.
Opulepce and splendor God grant to all the
people. to all the cities. to all the land. but
Mt the same time. may he grant the right
eous use of them.
CoNsECRATE ALL TO GODS GLORY.
Gvmnasiums? Yes. but see that the
vigor gained in them be consecrated to
God Magnificent temples of worship?
Yes, but see that in them instead of con
ventionalities and cold ponp of service
there be warmth Of devotion and the pure
Gospel preached. Imposing court bouses2
Yes, but in them let Justice and mercy
rule. Palaces of iouruaIisma Yes but let
all of the printing presses be marshaled
for happiness and truth. Great postollice
buildings? Yes. but through them day Inv
day, may correspondence helpful. eleyatiny
and moral pass Ornate dwelling honsesS
Yes, but in them let there be affairs of de.
votion. and coniugal. flial. paternal and
Christian fidelity rnlc. London for n,auni.
tude. Berlin for universities Paris for
fashions. Rome for cathedrals. Athens for
classics. Thebes for hieroglvphics. Mem
Dbis for tombs Babvlou for gardens Enbe.