The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-15
THE SYMPATHY BETWEEN THE
TWO WORLDS"
Selected for The Times.>

There is joy in the presence OF the
angels of God over one sinner that re-
penteth." St. Luke. Nv: 10.
There is a real and wonderful connec-
ton between the lower world and that
Beyond the skies, where dwell those who
are forever blessed and happy. These
worlds are not separated. for all crea-
ton is but one body. The same great
heart which beats in heaven beats alike
nero on earth. The love Of the Eternal
Father, which animates the celestial
saints, also makes glad the terrestrial son
OF man. Art not shut out from thy F'a-
Their; thou art safe at His side and In
His care.
What are time and eternity after all
to the believer? This earth is heaven be-
low; the next world is but q heaven
above. 1t is the same house; the same
roof; the same love and tenderness en-
folds us all.
We learn. moreover, that the angels of
God hold communication With us. These
blessed creatures, mighty and strong, who
spend their time in fulfilling Gods com
lnands and hearkening unto His word
do they. take note of US? Let the Scrip
ture answer: "Are they not all minister
ing spirits sent forth to minister unto
those that shall be heirs of salvation?"
1.-The angel Of the Lord encampeth around
about them that fear Him. For He
shall give His angels charge over thee
to keep thee in all thy ways; they shall
in hefr han
dash thy foot against a stone.
They wait upon US; they are the troops
of our bcdyguard, and we might-if our
eyes were but opened-see what Elisha
saw-horses and chariots of fire round
about US, SO that we could joyfully ex-
claim: More are they that are with US
than they that are against u.s.
These angels rejoice over the repentant
sinner, and how is that? They are al
ways as happy as they can be. How,
then, can they be more so? The text does
not say that they are any happier, but
pclhaps they show their happiness more.
There are days when the angels sing
more lovely than usual. They ARG always
harping we'll Gods praise; but Sometimes
the gathering hosts, who have been fit
ting far through the universe, come home
to their center and around the throne OF
God, standing in serried ranks marshaled
not for battle but for peaceful service,
they chant anew with swelling hearts
and tuneful voices the song Of Moses and
the Lamb.
DO you ask when those days occur?
The birthday Of the repentant sinner is
sonnet day in heaven. There are
Christmas Days in heaven. when Christ's
festival is kept and Eie is glorifled-not
because of His birth in manager, but
because He is born in a broken heart.
There are these high days-days of SON
net, red-letter days, days Of overlooking
! alteration. And such is ono of the days
when the Shepherd brings home His lost
sheep upon His shoulder; When the church
has swept her home and found the lost
piece CT silver; for then are the friends
and the neighbors called together, and
they rejoice with Joy unspeakable over
one sinner that repenteth.
There is 2 greater connection between
+"
called a land that is very far off. We
feel it to be land that is near. A few
moro hours or days or years and we will
ioin that happy throng; till then their
Joyous fellowship. their sweet compass
sion shall be our comfort and our con-
ISOLATION and our strength.
Why do the angels sing over penitent
sinners? Because they remember the
days of creation, when the morning stars
sang together and the sons OF God shout
! ed for Joy. AS they saw star after star
flying abroad like sparks from the great
anvil Of Omnipotence they began to sing,
and every time they SEQ a new creature
made upon this little earth they praise
him afresh. Now when they see sinner
returning they SEQ the creation over
again, for repentance is just that.
| - vain the angels rejoice because they