The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-02-20
RELIGIOUS READING.
T.0vE OF TIE CHURCH.

There is something very beautiful and
touching in the affection which the devout
Israelites. in the purer eras Of their history,
entertained for their temple and church As
we find it expressed in the Psalms, or exeEl-
plifled in the conduct of David and Asaph.
Ezra and Nehemiah. sentiment more ex-
alted or honorable or lovely, Is hardly con-
ceivable. 1t was the strength Of patriotism
made beautiful by the loveliness Of piety the
fervor OF family and national attachment hal.
lowed by devotion and the love Of God.
Three times in the year the tribes were sum-
moned to the enjoyment OF these social AMI
sacred festivities. and as the reriod for set-
ting out upon the pleasing errand drew nigh,
they cried with one accord, 81 was glad when
they said unto me, Let US go into the house
Of the Lord" And as they pressed from hill
top to hilltop, and at length caughtsight OF
the distant colums OF the temple consecra.ed
by 80 many affections and the scene OF 50
many marvels. thoy gave utterance to their
pious admiration-'Beautiful for situation.
the Joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on
the sides Of the north, the city Of the great
King. As the mountains are round about Je-
rusalem, 50 tie Lord is round about his peo-
pie from henceforth even forever" Reach
Ing the entrance of the Holy City, the
vast multitude-probably often reaching 4
million in number-lifted up their voices in
chorus, "Our feet are standing within thy
gates Jerusalem Jerusalem is builded rs
a city that Is compact together, whittier the
tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the
testimony OF Israel, to give thanks unto the
name of the Lord. For there are set thrones
of judgment the thrones Of the house OF
David. Pray for the peace Of Jerusalem, for
they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be
within thy walls and prosperity within thy
palaces. For my brethren and my compan-
ta I 1,,,i1l no
Because Of the house of the Lord our God,
will seek thy good" A goodly and noble af-
fection, worthy of the embalming in divine
song which 1t has received, and honorable to
the devoute Israelite that cherished it as his
life blood. There was neither bigotry exclu-
sivenes5 or sectarianism in it: it was a Just
reverence for an object worthy of the hearts
most fervent admiration.
The church is still tho place OF God abode.
AS the home of all the associations and men,
ories of his grace in Christ, and favor to our
race. it is still as worthy Of affection and zeal
Gus interest as ever. There Is piety and dig
nifty and moral beauty still, in the sentiment
that reverses the church, and re-echoes tho
song Of centuries,-
"I love thy Kingdom. Lord,
The house of thine abode"
Though tho splendors of the temple have
long ago become dim and Jerusalem has
been trodden under feet, there is still house
of God, shekinah raging forth as clear n
light and communion as genuine and lovely
as ever thrilled the heart of devotee or saint
OF old. The church of the great company of
believers-the aggregation OF all tho pure
good and excellent upon earth-those In
whom the image Of Christ Is found, and
whose names are written Ii the palms OF the
Almighty's hand. 1t is O dignifled, venerable
admirable body, containing more real worth,
more pure affection, more blessed possessions,
more glorious hopes and more honored re-
lationships than any community on earth. II
anything is worthy OF our love and rever-
ence in this world it is the church that Christ
gave himself for-the place where God re-
cords his name-The home Of every pure de-
sentiment. The memories Of the martyrs and
the faith and heroism Of the fathers cluster
around IL. The wealth Of O thousand hon
ored associations enriches it. To it belonged
Paul and Polycarp, Luther and Augustine,
Calvin and Brainard, Edwards and Howard,
and every other really bright name or sacred
memory that adorns the annals Of our race.
This sentiment needs to be more cherished
at the present day thnn it Is. There Is not
only nothing to be ashamed Of in connec-
ton with the church, but everything in 1t to
be desired and held In esteem. As Gods
great agency for accomplishing his purposes
of mercy towards tho world the church de-
serves the intelligent love Of every good man
capable of desiring the worlds goods. AS
the communion Of all the excellent and
worthy and God-fearing people on earth, it
is worthy of all the care, the kind Offices, the
sacrifices and the affection we can bestow.
To promote Its peace. to increase its means
of doing good, to impart to it dignity or in
fuence, is to add to the only effective force
by which mankind are to be really elevated,
enriched or saved. 1t is to cooperate with
God in the grandest of his purposes. 1t Is
to do good In the most effectual manner. and
on the largest scale. No man ever loved the
church too warmly no sacrifices for its well
fare can be too great; no interest in its
doings. nor sympathy with its trials, can be
too lively m. Y. Evangelist.