The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24
ed with the Holy ehost."-Acts II,

"a
read carefully YOU will find He has also
chosen a hundred other days. we. In our
narrow Interpretations. bind Him down
to the day. whereas. Is there IN reallty
single day that is not His7
Does He not come upon our Birthdays
days Of deliverance; times OF surprise;
days of sorrow; days of trial; when the
whole life seems one cruel and burning
paln2 Has He not come upon our we'd
ding day, and Joyous days Of every kind,
saying In a gentle whisper, "Lo. I am
with thee always"7
God is not tho God of tho day only.
I1e takes up the ono day and specially
holds 1t before us, but only syinboncally.
What he does with that day no wishes
to do with ali the others. 1t Is little by
little that He moves, leading us. edu-
eating us, into the larger, the higher
life.
There was no feast like Pentecost.
1t was the largest memorial feast known
In Israel, for three great events were
celebrated at that time. 1t recalled a
remembrance OF their cruel bondage IN
Egypt: II was also u feast Of deliver
~
ance and Of triumph.
On other occasions there might be par
tial sacrifices. but at this feast the whole
series of sacrifices were offered' ana
one more added. Two leavened lohves
were taken and waved before the Lord,
in token that loneliness had given place
to union.
Pentecost marked the fifty days which
had elapsed since Israel had left EGYPT,
before they had reached Sinai and received
the law. It was necessary that each
year Israel should recall the fire ana
thunder and lightnings and earthquake,
penetrated by the voice Of God in HIS
majesty.
But will great voices and solemn
thunder, with appalling fires. always be
used for the giving Of mere law? May
it not be that one day God shall turn
them into sanctuary Of peaceful mem
Dry and profit?
Jerusalem had never been more full
with devout men out Of every nation
under heaven. Here we have the largest
possible union OF nationallties. OF creeds
and desires. They were all in turn quar-
relling, clamor, suspicion, jealousy, envy.
These were all left outside. Within the
little gathered circle there was found
but one spirit, one hope, one growing
wonder, with the silence of expectant
faith
Do you know the mystery OF silence?
Arc your cars filled with worldly noises?
Is your mind bustling with cares and
plans? Are your nights sleepless from
worry and apprehension? 1t Is not thus
that God comes to speak to the heart
or bless the life.
They were gathered with zone accord';
that is the eternal term. They were
gathered In one place; that is the tran
silent word. The place Is nothng-the
accord" everything.
Dwell on that word "all." BY 1t you
but all the followers Of Christ. OF every
name and degree. We are not to sit
apart and say we have no part in this
great gift Of the Holy Ghost. It is a
common gift; ask for 1T; expect 1t; &C
| cept 1t; claim it in Christ's name!
For Gods Church Is everywhere. Do
not limit yourself (or Cod to a place
church You belong to Gods Church.
though you may not know It. Gods
Church Is in the heart. II you desire
| to know His will and do 1t, to find God
and sorve Him, to walk in His ways and
strive to grow like Him, then you are
in the Church, whatever others may say
or think.
- How helpless we are in this matter OF
spiritual REVEALS! How Free how I'M
expected are His gifts and blessings,
What did the apostles do toward this
grand demonstration of divine power?
They could only wait, pray, hope. ex-
pect-what the world would call nothing.
We need to know the power of waiting.
The apostles. previous to Pentccost, did
everything by doing apparently moth
ing But Is he doing nothing who con-
tnues steadfast in prayer? Is he doing
nothing who. with patient faith, takes
God Mt His word? Is he doing nothing
who, amid trouble and perplexity, waits
for God TO show him the path? Who can
mistake fire? The difference between
/ Olo man uilQ hIAoIiACi 40 A'Ao' S''o 1~ehASA
Is all fire and another is all ice It Is
so In all things. Mono can mistake the
gift 1t Is searching, eleyating, unInis-
taxable.
Ponder the word Suddenly with rev.
erence and prayer. Read 1t with the
secret expectation that tho Lord may
come at any moment. 1t may BIO In the
darkest hour of the night, or ut COCK
crow, or In tho morning. Our only duty
Is to wait and watch and listen for the
first sound of Ills footsteps as 1t fails
on tho far away road, that we may be
ready to rise up and meet Him when
ever He appears,
=--=-=-----==
It Is very nice to hear how handsomely
the Crescent City people treated the Rich
mond soldiers who participated In the
parade Of Friday. Doubtless there were
ntnta No ,,,I fa,,