Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-16

hut Ia this city, II it serves its purpose,
is more useful than this church il God
does not take up his abode in 1t. So
unless God condaseends to dwell here,
you have built In vain. So it is not q
surprise that the same question arises
Ia our minds, as arose In the minds OF
Solomon.
We find certain class Of questions
which admit OF but one answer, and
that answer Is apparent when the ques-
tiOn is asked. We know that the
answer will be in the affirmative, for
God has promised to dwell with men
upon earth. Let us consider, first, the
certainty Of this proposition, and, sec
ond, the BLESSINGS arising therefrom.
Iwlll mention but two things which as
sure Us Of his presence-hrst, the prom
iseS of God, and, second, his word and
sacrifices. The promise Of God to
child Of God renders thing absolutely
certain. God promised to dwell in
the Tabernacle. Not only did He prom
iSa TO dwell with the children Of Israel,
but with men for all time. Il am with
you always, even to the end OF the
world" etc, etc. This promise OF God
20 dwell with man was verified in His
Incarnation. he became man to dwell
among US. And He came not as an aus
tere judge, or a prince or potentate OF
earth, but as a brother-He dwelt
among the lowlier.
Secondly, we are assured by the pres
ence Of his word and sacrifice. The
sacraments are means Of communi-
eating tOus knowledge and pOwer-not
WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE,
but that knowledge which cometh down
from above and maketh US wise unto sal
walton; and that power which enables US
TO turn our backs upon the gates OF
hell, and tread the bright path to
heaven. IL is impossible to have the
word of God present with us without
having the spirit Of God present with
US, and il is impossible TO have the
spirit of God with US, without having
the Triune God with US. Whenever the
word Of God is in the heart Of an indi-
vidual, God is in that man.
Aud now let US consider the blessings
which result 10 man through the pres
ence OF God. There are thousands, but
we will speak OF but single blessing
the blessing of peace. This BLESSING is
greatest unto those with whom God
dwells. Without the presence Of God
there is no peace, There is that which
men accept as peace, and try to per-
Suade theSelveS is peace, but it Is not.
Men oftentimeS fancy that they can OBJ
tain peace without God. Some have an
idea that wealth, positions Of honor, the
attainment TO certain degrees OF
knowledge, gives peace, but we might
search every one of these, and not have
God, and therefore not have peace.
There is nothing in the world which can
buy il. 1t is only when God has
taken up II is abode in the heart, that
there is peace. by the presence OF
God every enemy is conquered In the
acknowledgements to our temporal as
as well as our spiritual peace. In not
only insures peace in the individual,
but peace i'm the congregation. There
are certain diSpOsitionS-pride, envy,
mplacability-which destroy peace in
the congregation. There are certain
disposition humility, forbearance -
that gender peace in the congregation.
The blessing of peace is essential to
the welfare Of the individual; it is
essential to the life Of the congrega-
ton. We are not surprised when the
PSalmiSt says: Behold how good and
how pleasant il is to see brethrend well
together in unity"