The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1892-11-29

nave prepared tne way as never De-
fore. The ocean has been bridged, as
it were, by the steamships which pass
from shore to shore. Continents have
been so closely connected by the light
nings that in almost moment of time
the news of one country is heard in
another. Railroads so interlace all
lands that daily the nations min2le
with each other. The story of the
cross of Christ has been told in every
land. The fields are white. ready for
the harvest. The delicious fruit hangs
in rich, ripe clusters, ready TO be
gathered. The spies have returned,
telling us of the beauties of the land.
They tell us also of its difficulties, its
giants, but the captain Of the Lords
hosts stands with drawn sword ready
to lead in the conflict. He speaks
with an assuring voice, 600 up aud
take poss ession." Why stand longer
trembling? Why look with longing
eyes back to the wilderness? Arise
and advance and take possession Of the
land in the name of the Lord God Of
Hosts ......
But let us come closer home and see
If this same command does not come
TO us also. Have we not land of
which we must take possession? Yea;
goodly land is ours. Its productive
powers are unequalled by any other
land. The olives, the pomegranates,
the figs, and the grapes of Canaan are
as nothing when compared with the
fruits of our own land. There came
time when the plenty of that goodly
land failed. Other lands have had
their famines, but there has never
been a time in the history of our
country since that first long winter
through which the Pilgrim fathers
had passed previous to their setting
apart the day we celebrate, i'll which
our land has failed to yield its increase.
Our barns have been filed with
plenty and we have had corn for the
furnishing of other lands. Our noun
tains have yielded their hidden treas
ures, our plains have brought forth
their abundant harvests. God has
literally Crowned the years with good
ness, the little hills rejoice on every
side. The pastures are clothed with
flocks: the valleys arc also covered
over with corn; they shout for joy
they also sing" How graciously God
has smiled upon us, and yet how
MANY render no thanks to Him fol-
the blessings thus bestowed upon
them! There is an opportunity given
to us to show them that thanks
should be rendered unto the Divine
Benefactor for these blessings. As
we feast to-day let our songs Of praise
and our prayers Of Thanksgiving
ascend from grateful hearts. Let OuI
morning and evening sacrifices show
that we recognize Jehovah as Lord 0
all. Ii we but had in every Christian
home an altar, erected to the Lord
from which the morning and evening
prayers would arise as sweet incense
, there would go forth such niniluenc'
for the Christian praise andWorship 0
the God of all the earth, that many
: about us who are now aliens tn Him
f would be led to worship Him as thei
) Re1eemer and Saviour.
l But even this is not enough. If w
= would take possession 0! IN" land TO
= Christ we aust have spirit Of dPvO
i. tedness TO duty and to principle
f How closely the world watches It.
\ Christian to see whether or not u
n stands firm for the principles which il
!. processes, and the duty which is hi
s There must be no swerving froI
g principle, no faltering or hesitancY j
2 duty. The commands of the captai
Q must be obeyed. The law of on
: God must be followed. Our live
4 must show that we are His, not to-da
Y only, nor tomorrow, but every day
Y every hour, each moment. Our live
!. must be so in conformity to that pei
: feet life that we shall in truth, dive
Y in Him sand He in us. So shall W
possess the land. One unfaithfr
i soldier, one faltering Christian, ma
Q so weaken the army and so hinder tn
] work as to give the enemy great al
# vantage. Oh, Ibeseech you, Christia
Q brother, Christian sister, stand fast b
t your colors! Be true to the vows yo
t have taken. Let nothing turn yo
Q aside one iota from the principles {