Be zealous for the truth; "let all your deeds be done in charity," but remem- ber that truth is the basis on which it should rest. And while you are zealous for peace, let it be in connection with that truth, without which there can be no peace. Let truth be established ; let it be placed on the throne on which it should reign, and then there shall be peace. Tliev, peace is our watch-word : Peace with all men peace in all things and peace for ever ! Divine revelation. There was a time when each revela- tion of the word of God had an introduc- tion into this earth, which neither per- mitted men to doubt whence it came, nor wherefore it was sent. If, at the giving of each several truth, a star was not lighted up in heaven, as at the birth of the prince of Truth, there was done upon the earth a wonder, to make her children listen to the message of their Maker. The Almighty made bare his arm, and, through mighty acts shown by his holy servants, gave de- monstration to his truth, and found for it a sure place among the other matters of human knowledge and belief. But now the miracles of God have ceased, and nature, secure and unmo- lested, is no longer called on for testi- monies to her Creator's voice. No burning bush draws the footsteps to his presence-chamber ; no invisible voice holds the ear awake; no hand cometh forth from the obscure to write his pur- pose in letters of flame. The vision is shut up, and the testimony is sealed, and the word of the Lord is ended ; and this solitary volume, with its chapters and verses, is the sum total of all for which the chariot of heaven made many visits to the earth, and the Son of God himself tabernacled and dwelt among us. the truth which it contains once dwelt undivulged in the bosom of God ; and, on coming forth to take its place among things revealed, the heavens, and the earth, and nature, through all her cham- bers, gave it reverent welcome. Beyond what it reveals, the mysteries of the fu- ture are unknown. To gain it accepta- tion and currency, the noble army of mar- tyrs testified unto the death. The general assembly of the first-born in heaven made it the day-star of their hopes, and the pavilion of their peace. Its every sen- tence is charmed with the power of God, and is powerful to the everlasting salva- tion of souls. Irving.
"Heaven is my throne...Isaiah 63"
GOD'S REJECTION OF ALL MATERIAL TEMPLES. There was a time when it could be said that there was a house of God on earth. That was a time of symbols, when as yet the Church of God was in her childhood. She was being taught her A B C, reading her picture-book, for she could not as yet read the Word of God, as it were in letters. She had need to have pictures put before her, patterns of the heavenly things. Even then, the enlightened amongst the Jews knew well that God did not dwell between curtains, and that it was not possible that He could be encompassed in the most holy place within the veil It was only a symbol of His presence. But the time of symbols is now passed altogether. In that moment when the Saviour bowed His head, and said "It is finished! " the veil of the temple was rent in twain, so that the mysteries were laid open. So, one reason why God saith He dwelleth not in temples made with hands, is, because He would have us know that the symbolical worship is ended...
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