The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-23
RELIGIOUS READING.
THE HOME OF THE SOUL.

What beautiful thought was that OF Moses,
the man of God, 80 God thou art our dwell
lug place ID all generations Changes are
continually occurring in this world; man,
being in honor, abideth not; kingdoms r1se
and fall; the day is coming when the eartn
and all the works that are therein shall De
burned up; they shall wax old like gar
ment, and as a yesture that shall be changed;
they shall be folded up and laid aside as
worn out clothing, to be used no more in the
same fashion: but the eternity and immuta-
bility of our God and Savior shall ever re-
main the same for our consolation and rel
Uge.
The holy apostle affords us the example OF
staying himself upon the same consideration.
Since such Is the steadfaStness OF the Most
High, every word of His is reliable, every
promise Is worthy of unintermitted trust.
That promise can no more fail, than Jehovah
himself can cease to exist. Our Lord has
confirmed it, when He said, "Heayen and
earth shall pass away, but my words shall
not pass away"
Whatever changes or reverses therefore may
take place in sublunary affairs, though we
may lose house and home, and our worldly
all, we have in our Maker changeless dwell
ing-place. The bosom of God is the Home
Of the Soul.
So saith st. John, s'He that dwelleth In
. love dwelleth in God" To dwell in God, OF
to have God for our dwelling-place, implies
reconciliation, for show can two walk to-
"gether," much less dwell together, "e1cept
they be agreed?" 1t implies nearness OF ac.
cess. "They that are far from thee shall
perish, but it is good for me to draw near un-
to God" It implies trust and confidence.
No one would build on fuctuating sea. But
'.the Lord is my rock and my fortress, VINO Is
rock save our God2" ''The name OF the
Lord is strong tower; the righteous run
meth into 1t. and Is SAFE" 1t implies right
of some sort, for mans dwelling-place 1s
his own. Every mans house is his castle. he
ispresumed to have the right OF occupation and
use. SO the pious calltth, 20 God thou artmy
God; early will seek thee" And God re-
fuses not to acknowledge him. ''Be not dis
mayed, for am thy God" "Hear, o Israel,
am God even thy God" It implies perma-
nence. A dwelling is not an inn or lodging
place for night. Neither is it temporary
habitual residence. Men are, indeed, ready
enough to run to God in a storm, and to quit
Him as soon as thes storm blows over; but to ny
to Him tor refuge and treat Him as mere
convenience Is very different thing from
making Him our dwelling place at all times.
''Trust in Him at all times, W people; pour
out your hearts before Him; God is refuge
for US"
The future condition of the children OF
God must be infinitely preferable to their
present state. The clay tenement which we
now inhabit is but temporary lodging The
mansion to which we are going is "a house
not made with hands, eternal. in the heavens !"
There Is all the difference between palace
and an inn. The moment, then, that an
nounces our release should not be 30 gloomy
as it is often represented.
II our hearts were what they should be. we
would feel like the happy school-boy, when he
quits his tasks at the holidays. At every
homeward step familiar objects greet his eye
The church spire rises in tho distance.
Scenes thicken fast associated with some in
teresting recollection. The old trees, each OF
which has its own personal history. bend to
welcome him. His fathers house comes In
sight, and his heart bounds with pleasure {;
His feet cannot fly fast enough to bring him
home! Once within the doors, what embra-
res! what congratulations! what shouts OF
ioyl o Christians! II we have not similar
exultations ut the thought of going home,
to our fathers house, I fear mo it Is
because we ore concious Of being truants and
delinquonts and g with its leaden load re-
tards our steps.
There have been those who have thought
with lively pleasure Of God as the home OF
the soul. The last entry Of David Bra1nhrd
in his diary was 30 my dear God, l am
speedily coming to Thee, hope! Hasten the
dny. o Lord, il it be Thy blessed will. Mrs.
Rumf's last words were, ~ have been 4
stranger on the Garth, but return to my true
country" And we desire that every one OF
YOU do show the same diligence to tho full as
surance ofhope unto the end. "-[Presbyterian