Year: 1870

A WORD TO THOSE IN AFFLICTI0N.


The privileges of Gods house are very
precious to His children. And never do
they seem more so than when His stroke is
laid upon them in gracious Christening.
Then it is, that humbled under the mighty
hand of God, the earnest breathing of their
soul is: "Hear my cry, 0 God; attend un-
to my prayer. From the end of the earth
will I cry unto Thee when my heart is over
whelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher
than l. For Thou hast been shelter for
me, and strong tower from the enemy. [
will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever; 1
will trust in the covert of Thy wings"


And yet there are some who deny them
selves these unspeakable privileges, when
they are weighed down with sorrow; who
shut themselves in their chambers to nurse
their griefs, to brood over their distresses,
to feed their gnawing cares; and enter upon
their round of daily life doubly burdened.


There is something peculiarly sacred in
grief, especially in its first beRildering fresh
ness and bitterness, and it is an unutterable
comfort to weep alone, to seek alone His
sympathy who hath borne our griefs. Yet
it is none the less our duty, even in times of
deepest afliction, to repair to the courts of
the Lord. And if these words should catch
! the eye of any of those protesting the name
of our Master, who have absented themselves
| from the sanctuary on this plea, let me ask
your consideration of these thoughts.


1. God is peculiarly present in the house
where His honor dwelleth. He promises to
meet with those who gather in His sanctu
ary. And though He is near to His own at
all times, and particularly in times of trial,
and though He may always be found in the
chamber apart, yet He has chosen specially
to bless those that forsake not the assembling
of themselves together. If you are in tiou-
bic, in bereavement, in deep sorrow, there
is so much the greater reason why you should
seek His face in His temple.


2 1t shows spirit not in subsection to
Gods righteous will, to withdraw from the
sanctuary when His hand hath smitten. 1t
shows an unsubmissive spirit God chas-
tens in infinite love. Possibly this is one of
the offences for which He chastens you.-
Does it not show rebellious disposition, if
even at such times when the chastisement
smarts, you should refuse to honor and obey
God by attendance at His house?


8. Your faith must be weak indeed, land
the way to strengthen it is to use Gods
plan, therefore: "Faith cometh by hear
ing; if when darkness comes upon you,
you cannot trust Him who brings it, and
address yourself to the work He gives you
to do. 1t shows but little love to the blessed
Master, who chastens not willingly, if when
He justly uses the rod, you desert His
abode. Surely when those who profess to
love Him act thus, our Lord is wounded in
the house of His friends.


4. There is the fatal influence of habit.
If you stay away from Gods house once -
it is easier to overcome your scruples sec
ond time your love grows cold, your zeal
languishes, your energy is paralyzed. You
lose the warmth of the Goals on Gods altar
You lose the companionship, and then the
sympathy of friends. You peril your i'm
mortal welfare.


5. Such conduct is not ONLY pernicious to
your own soul, but dangerous to others
Think of the influence such course has
upon the world. The world thinks that if
there is anything religion is good for, be-
sides dying hour, it is for seasons of calam-
ity. The world will judge that it is not
worth the seeking, if it does not sustain you
in this time of trial What sort of COM
fort is that it says, (which will do for
sunshiny days, but fails when winter comes
and storms blow" Does not this refraining
from Gods courts, at the seasons above all
others, when it is meet that you should show
your face there, bring deep dishonor upon
the Masters name?


Think of your children. Remember the
tender and solemn VOWS you have assumed,
the grave responsibility of training them in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord
Your example is tar more potent than pre-
cept. You may instruct them in the duty
of attending Gods house. You may speak
of its privileges and delights. But if you
fail to attend at such time especially, they
will think the duty not imperative, the privi-
leges not important, the delights far from de-
sirable. They will argue flor they are great
logicians, that if perplexitieS in business. OF
family cares, or bereavement can keep you
away, less ought to keep them away; and
that if it is not a place for you to find reliei
or comfort, certainly it is not place 70,
them.


Two conspicuous examples in Gods wore
teach us this lesson. Many instances may