The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1893-01-20


First Presbyterian church sunday
Jan. 22. at 6p. m.
Baptist church Friday Jan. "a. AZ i
p. m.
We give below the lesson that viii
be discussed by the Baptist and Pres
byterian societies.
Toric- iGod's covenant. II mon WIT. \. /.
then. 1esh. III. !: John Nv. !, 8
od'scoyanants are usually conditional
promises. In the covenant with Nom.
that the world should not again be de-
stroyed by Hood, which was uneondi.
tional, we see an exception to this gen.
eral rule. Gods principal covenants are
the covenant of works, salvation and
blessing promised ON condition of perfect
obedience to the law, and the covenant
Of grace salvation promised upon condi-
ton Of faith in Jesus Chriqt. In each az
these covenants we see the underlying
principle. If thou wilt, : then. In
the former it was, If thou wilt obey. then
thou shalt be saved. In the latter it IA.
II thou wilt believe, then thou shalt be
saved. In each of these principal cove
nants We're innumerable secondary cove
nants, attendant promises with their
conditions, It Is to two of these, and
not TO either principal covenant. that our
topic directs US.
l. If thou wit walk in my ways, and
if thou wilt keep my charge. then thou
shalt also judge my house, and shalt also
keep my courts. and | will give the
places to walk among these that stand
by thee lZech iii. ~ Here an angel
gives Joshua a conditional promise as
representative of the Jewish priesthood.
The condition was personal good be-
hayior and official faithfuIness. The
promise was continuance in office, over
sight of the temple courts and compan-
ionship with angels. probably meaning
eternal life. This promise applied to
priests and now to ministers. But all
were not priests and all are not ministers.
To make it universally applicable il may
be summed up practically thus: If thou
wilt be faithful in thy sphere, then shalt
thou be rewarded accordingly. This
makes it practical to all. The priest must
be faithful as priest, thepeople us people.
All of us may not have high positions in
the church, but God expects of us only
obedience in the position we occupy, be
it high or low. Some have ten talents,
some five and some perhaps only one.
OF those who have five talents, a ten tai
ent service and ability is not required.
From one talent God neither asks nor
expects using for five talents. This is
Gods conditional promise to all. If thou
wilt be faithful in whatever station Of
life thou hast been placed, to whatever
talents and opportunities have been given
to thee. then thou shalt have honor and
blessing in this life. and in the world to
come eternal life.
2. IF We abide in me, and my words
abide IN you, we shall ask what We will,
and it shall be done unto you" John xv,
y. These ire words of Jesus in his fare.
well discourse to his disciples. It is also
conditional promise. The promise is
answer to prayer. The condition is
abiding in Christ. To abide in Christ
means to have a constant living union
with hiaa. as the branch is united to the
vine. His words abide in us when We
receive them in faith and love, by per-
sonal study or other instruction, lay
them up in our hearts and practice them
in our lives. This promise still holds
good II Christ and his words abide
richly in US, prayer will be answered.
What promise could be richer and
grander to the children of needs Let
us fulfil the conditions that we may re-
ceive the promise.
Bible References Gen. Nv, 81; Deut.
vii, ~; xviii, is; Lev. XVI, 3 9; Ps.
xxi, 5; Prov. viii, 2; Dan. iii, IA; Math.
v, 30, "a; John viii, 10; Col. j, ei-23;
Heb. iii. 8: l Pet. ", 1910; John i, 9.