Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-12-04
Our Angels.

Angels came and ministered unto him.
Matthew, w., IL.
1t is a glad surprise to tho careful
student of the older and the newer
Scriptures that the beings whom we
call angels occupy SO prominent a
position in the Fathers dealings with
His children on the earth. And it is
not the least curious fact in the his
tory of our modern religious life that
the mission of these angels should be
either ignored or practically discredit
ed. We have not been willing tC
admit that God uses any secondary
agencies in the accomplishment of His
purposes.
AS consequence we suffer spiritual
loss, for there is great comfort to be
had in the belief that a throng OF
invisible beings are nigh at hand in oul
time of trouble, pitying us in our dis
tress, and lending such aid as lies in
their power. How many of our bur
dens are lightened by their succoring
strength, how frequently we are
enabled to resist temptation by theil
power added to our own, how often
holy suggestions come from them
which we attribute to our own minds
or hearts, no one can tell. But that
they do come from heaven to earth
and that our daily lives are blessed by
their presence no one who accepts the
record of Christ's ministry as veritable
history can possibly doubt.
Their doings run through the pages
of the Old Testament like golden
thread in a costly fabric. The dark
places in the life of the ancient
Hebrews are illumined by them, and
every prophet held communion with
them and received from them the
mandates of the Most High. Daniel
when speaking of the strait he was in
said, behold, there stood before me
as the appearance of man
and he Informed me and talked with
me-" and his experience is SO multiplied
by others of a like nature that we are
almost startled by their constant re
currence They shine like stars on g
winter night; and to them the Hebrews
were indebted for their courage anG
their national glory.
The birth of Christ was announced
by an angel; the flight into Egypt with
the Child was commanded by ar
angel; when the temptation of Christ
was ended He was ministered unto by
angels; when the fearful women stood
at the tomb it was an angel, "whose
raiment was white as snow" who
proclaimed the resurrection, and wheI
the mob followed the Lord, and the
disciples talked of resistance by force
He rebuked them, declaring that il
needful He could call on more thar
twelve legions of angels"
1 adduce only a few out of many
instances, but they are sufficient to
establish and emphasize the fact that
we are seen though we do not see, and
that heaven holds the earth in its
arms as mother her babe. Nc
distance forms barrier either to oul
may not feel the hand that is placed
in ours, but it is there; we do not hear
with the hearing of the ear, but with
the hearing of the heart; we do not see
these guardian spirits with the eye,
but with our inner consciousness we
are sure that they are close by.
What glorious realm of thought we
are exploring! What glorious realm
of fact is revealed to us The poor
soul that is being driven along the
downward path by the fury of his
passions is accompanied at every step
by Gods messengers-the messengers
of His pity and His love-and with
his supremest efforts they try to bar
his way to further wretchedness. The
only heart that has been chilled by
frosty misfortune. and falls upon a
desperate mood that regards even
crime with Indifference, is surrounded
by invisible agents who are doing all
that heaven itself can suggest to make
the way smoother and the sky bright
er. And the mourning soul, sitting ir
the shadow of a great bereavement
looking upward with tear dimmed
eyes-is no one near to whisper con
ISOLATION? Is God unmindful or power
less to assuage this grief The angels
who represent Gods sympathy are in
that darkened room, and the peace
from above.
We have here practical fact, but
we have made too little use of it. The
wonder is that we have neglected it sc
long, for it is one of the most precious
truths to be found within the whole
range of Gods providence. Not alone
never alone, but always in the com
partnership of ministering spirits en-
Joined by the Father to do us good
service if we will allow them to do so.
And who are these heavenly beings
Why not those who have been bound
to us for many years and who love us
now more than ever? Shall they who
have been SO dear, but who were sum
moned TO the other land, be sent fal
away, while strangers do His bidding
for our behoof? Our guardians are
those who have been closest to oul
hearts, believe, and they are always
ready to come at our call. They hover
about us, guide our wandering foot
steps, avert impending danger, dc
what they may to encourage and
cheer, and after the nightfall, when
the morning comes, they will be the
first to greet us and welcome us to that
Home where partings shall be forever
unknown.-N. Y Herald.