Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1912-12-12

Christ, and yet the scriptures clearly
teach that he is coming again in a
personal and visible sense. What 9th
er Interpretation can be given to the
words OF the angels spoken to the
waiting disciples on Mt Olivet just
after the ascension Of our Lord2 "Ye
men Of Galilee. why stand ye gazing
up into heaven? This same Jesus.
which Is taken up from you into
heaven. shall SO come in like manner
as ye have seen him go into heaven"
ACTS 1:tf)
All the orthodox creeds OF the
church have taught this. although
there Is a difference OF opinion among
good Christians as to the time when
be shall come.
For example. the scriptures speak
Of a thousand years when peace and
righteousness shall prevail over the
earth. known mostly as the millennf
I'm: and there are those who think
that the Lord will not come until
after that period. while others be-
lieve that he will come before IL
This latter is my Judgment. for
cannot see how there can be a mil
lennium until he comes to introduce
and make il a possibility.
This judgment is based upon the
teaching OF both the Old and New
restaments. but specifically upon our
Lords command to Watch" because
we know not the day nor the hour
when he shall return.
A friend OF mine used to spend his
summers in New Hampshire. and one
cay he said TO his little children that
business called him to Boston. They
were very much disappointed to have
him go. and he cheered them up by
saying that he would return again. and
that they should watch for him. As
4 consequence. his train had hardly
drawn cut OF the station when they
ran TO their mother and asked her TO
wash their hands and faces. and comb
their hair. that they might run down
again and wait for the incoming train
on which they expected him to return
This they did continually at train time
from day to day. until he did return:
50 that afterwards their mother said
she had never known them to show
such an interest in soap and water In
their lives. It is for a result not IN
ike this that our Lord would keep
Us in the spirit OF expectancy, for as
the apostle John says. Every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth
himself. even as he is pure" (lst
John 3:3l
Sometimes it is asked what is the
practical value OF preaching on the |
Second Coming OF Christi We have |
already stated one answer to that I
question in the effect Of the hope on
the personal character of the believer.
but in addition to that It can be said |
that there is not a single Christian |
grace or virtue named in the New /
Testament with which that hope Is
not connected Three hundred times
Is II mentioned there. thus showing /
us its Importance in the Christian I
scheme. and the need of giving II IT'S I
rightful place in all our Christian /
thinking ard doing.
Andrew 6onar's Crown.
That dear old Scottish saint, An /
drew Bonar, once visited this country I
and When he was returning they gave /
him a farewell meeting in New York /
made. and one speaker in closing said 1
Brethren. think OF the crown OF 4
righteousness which the Lord. the I
righteous Judge, shall give him at 1
that day" And when he sat down
Dr. Bonar arose. and walking TO the !
front OF the pulpit. concluded that quo !
tation from Paurs second letter &c
Timothy adding. And not to me only. /
but unto all them also that love bis 4
appearing" There are 1T least three 4
crowns that are promised that faith /
ful believer in the life 10 come. but /
this crown belongs alone to them who |
love our Lords appearance. Are We
counted In that blessed number.
DO thou my soul keep watch. beware
lest thou In sleep sink down.
Lest thou Be given DER to death. and lose !
the golden crown"
And yet how shall we watch ex
eept by living life daily in the win ]
OF God But how do men know the |
will of God except as they learn Of II
in the Bible where it has been re
veaIed? Nor is the simple reading OF
the Bible enough. unless the Holy |
Spirit shall interpret it to our under /
standings. and apply 1t to our hearts. |
This he does in answer to our suppl 1
cations. hence I exhort you to a life
OF real piety.