The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-11-08
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
The Security of Christians.

the feet of His saints That is God,
the holy and Being, the just and true
God, the all wise and powerful creator.
the tender and loving Father, will guide
the feet of the pious-that is one 10y
ingly disposed toward God. Fe viii
guide the earthly course of each one
that loves Him, but oyer against this
ever watchful providence, exerted for
the safe keeping of all who love the
right stand Gods punitive justice.
whereby the wicked are finally brought
down to the silence of the grave. The
reason they had only human strength
and prowess to depend upon, and no
man can sustain himself in the mani
told conflict of life without help from
above. His saints are not those canoniz-
ed and who are supposed to have power
in heaven to influence God in granting
petitions presented on earth. They are
those who have been accepted of God
through Jesus, and who do his will and
walk in the way to heaven. Their way
is often difficult and painful like the
uneven paths of Palestln, and beset
with dangers. But for consolation and
encouragement it is promised that He
will keep their feet firm ard safe so
they may not fall and perish.
1t is direct promise of preservation
from temporal calamity, but it may
include also spiritual failure or destruc-
ton. 1t should humble US, for we dare
not think that without fulfilling his
commandments we shall be kept or re-
ceive the benefit of the promises. Here
condition is implied therefore use the
means of grace. He will guide the
earthly course of each of His own. We
may count on being kept clean. He
purifies them, takes away the dross-
hence the furnace is a necessity, At
tiictions, trials, troubles are good. But
we are only kept in the furnace long
enough to cleonse US. Israel was kept
by the Lord when in Egypt, though it
seemed so dark. They needed that ex-
perience. 1t was hard. but it took he
roic measures for the disease. The
Egyptian experience was needed to
cleanse them. The psslmist prayed
cleanse me from secret faults"
cleanse me from sim" He cleanses US
from unrighteousness so that we are
counted pure in his sight.
He will keep the saints feet shod.
The way is rugged, so we need prepare
ton tor our feet for the way Shoes
wear out, feet get sore, but God keeps
them shod. When the twelve were
sent out they were to be shod with
sandals. So the angel SAID to Peter
when delivered from prison, "glrd on
thy sandals" In Eph. 6l5 we get the
meaning of the 81 ndals. The prepara-
ton or the readiness of the G jspel or
glad tidings of peace. This can only
be secured by warning against his
enemies. He will keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind Is stayed on Him. 3"
In some respects the way to heaven
Is safe, IN others it is dangerous. 1t is
through land of enemies and deserts
and beset with difficulties. We are
weak so enemies would push US down.
Only an Almighty arm can hold US up,
andIsuch one is pledged to do it.
We have to wrestle. We must walk
on slippery places, but the divine pro-
mIses and power. tie erts of the Re-
deemer's work and the virtue of his in
tercessiOn are pledged to keep.us.
The means of grace and the dealings
of Providence are engaged to keep the
saints and the Holy Spirit prevents
them from wandering out of the way
Ooscurity may gather over it. Other
ways are palmer, easier, more pleasant
and so we are tempted to leave it, but
like Bunyans Christian OF his journey,
We are likely to land in doubt castle
Other ways seem TO be more direct and
shorter than the wearisom path we
must pursue, but He keeps US from
stumbling in the way. 1t must needs
be that offences Tor occasions of STUN
bling) come. Some of these occasions
are the difficulties we meet in divine
revelation. Things hard to be under
stood. Others are the mysteries of
provide which have led some to say
as for me my feet were almost gone,
my step had we'll nigh slipped"
The direct solicitati )ns to evil cause
US to stumble sometimes. While the
affections and prosecutions that arise
for the word, causes offence. But great
peace have they who love thy law and
nothing shall cause them to stumble. 3"
How marvelously He guided His
people Israel! That was typical of the
way He guides his people now He
will yet be as pillar of cloud Iby day
j and of fire by night, else travellers
would despair. Amidst the dangers
that beset US. He protects, as well as