Salvation

"In God is my salvation and my glory, the rock of my strength, and my
refuge, is in God." Psalm 62:7

Lo ! where amid appalling dangers dread,

The rock undaunted lifts its welcome head;

Tho ship of commerce gayly sail'd along,

All hands were merry with their evening song;

When lo ! they scud before a sudden blast,

The sails are shiver'd, broken is the mast;

The ship is wreck'd, the storm rolls wildly round,

The sinking sailors have no footing found.

In drowning plight, stunn'd by the wave's rude shock.

The lightning kindly points them to the rock;

The Rock they grasp, and raise themselves on high,

In conscious safety bid the storm pass by.

So when mankind were wreck'd on Eden's shore,

Loud was the tempest, loud the thunder's roar.

Earth, sea, and skies affrighted were, and toss'd,

Tumultuous all. Shall man be saved, or lost?

In that wild ocean of despair and dread,

The Rock of Ages lifts his lofty head;

The sinner, sinking, stunn'd by Sinai's shock,

By Sinai's lightning, now beholds the Rock;

With glad surprise, more clear his moral sight,

He sees besides, a cross of heavenly light;

The Rock he clambers, to the cross he clings,

And saved from danger, of Salvation sings.

       A SHORT time since, and that vessel was sailing calmly and securely over the soft, blue wave. The voice of song arose, and mingled its melodies with the light air around. Home, sweet home, was the theme which gladdened every heart. But ah! thou treacherous sea! Thou deceitful wind! How changed the scene! The voice of song is departed, joy and gladness are no more. Instead of the music of soft symphonies, are heard the clamors of despair, the thunder's mighty roar-old ocean's harsh sounds, and the howling of the storm. The ship is driven fiercely before the gale, sails are rent, one of the masts is gone by the board, ruin steers the ill-fated ship; she strikes upon a reef, the billows roll over her, the crew are washed overboard. Night thickens around with his stormy horrors; manfully the drowning wretches buffet the waves; the lightning flings its lurid glare around, and shows them their awful condition; again it lightens, and they descry a rock, lifting its head above the billows, and promising a place of safety. Hope revives--they swim for the rock, soon "they make it," See! they have got upon it. Now they are safe!

       The vessel, sailing joyfully and securely before the gale began, may represent the safe and happy condition of our first parents before they were assailed by the storms of temptation; the drowning mariners denote the deplorable state of mankind since the fall, who are sinking midst the waves of guilt and wo; the tempest overhead denotes the storm that howls over the head of every sinner, in consequence of the violation of Jehovah's law. Sinai thunders forth its curses, and flashes its lightnings around the sinner's path, in order to show him his weakness, his guilt, and his danger. As the lightning points the drowning sailor to the rock, so the law directs or opens the way to Christ, that the sinner might be justified by faith in the atonement.

       The rock, rising in the troubled ocean, affording a shelter from the shipwreck, represents Christ, the Rock of Ages, who has borne all the fury of the storm for man, and who, by his cross, giveth life and light to a dying world. The penitent sinner, feeling himself sinking in the mighty waters, and tremblingly alive to the dangers of the tempest above, and to the more fearful dangers of the rolling waves beneath, escapes to the Rock, embraces the cross, and is safe, i. e., he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, and is saved.

Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high,

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

Till the storm of life is past,

Safe into the haven guide,

O receive ray soul at last. 

Third Day "Your Love Oh Lord"

The Christian's Race

"So run that ye may obtain." 1 Corinthians 9:24

Behold ! the race-course here before us lies ;

See ! many running for the glorious prize ;

Some sweat and toil, and maugre all their pains.

Small is their progress, smaller still their gains.

With weights oppress'd, of sordid gold and care,

They run awhile, then give up in despair.

But one is seen whose speed outstrips the wind,

The laggers all he quickly leaves behind ;

Conform'd to rule, he casts, all burdens down,

And presses forward to receive the crown.

       In his exhortations to Christians, the great apostle of the Gentiles very often alludes to the Olympic games. These games were celebrated in different parts of Greece, particularly on the isthmus which joined the Morea to the main land; hence called the Isthmian exercises. They were held on the banks of the river Alpheus, near Oljnnpia, a city of Elis. They were considered of so much importance, that from the period of their first regular establishment a new era of reckoning time was constituted, just as we reckon from the birth of Jesus Christ. Each Olympiad consisted of four years; hence they dated events from the first, second, third, or fourth year of any particular Olympiad. The first Olympiad commenced 776 years before the Christian era. These exercises consisted of five different kinds, viz: boxing, wrestling, leaping, the quoit, and racing. We confine ourselves to the illustration of the latter. The celebration of the running match excited great interest. Hence, the preparation for these festivals was very great. No man could become a candidate for the prize unless he bore a good character, and regularly exercised himself ten months previously, according to the rules prescribed.

       The rules were very severe: a strict regimen had to be observed--unpalatable food to be eaten --abstinence from all luxuries--exercises were to be continued through all weathers, and we know not what besides. And now the grand day has arrived; the judge is appointed, having been previously sworn to deal impartially--the race-course is cleared--the place of starting fixed--the judge takes his seat at the goal, or end of the raceground, and holds in his hand the crown of olive, or of laurel, destined to grace the victor's brow; officers are appointed to keep order. The city is emptied of its inhabitants--all the principal men are there. The candidates make their appearance; every eye is fixed upon them; every heart is in motion. Divested of all needless clothing, sometimes naked, they await the signal; --'tis given--off they start. Not a whisper is heard among all that multitude; with intense interest they watch the runners as they pass along. A shout is heard. The victor returns, like a triumphant conqueror, drawn in a chariot of four, wearing the crown of victory, and is everywhere greeted with the acclamations of the people.

       Religion is compared to a race; the stadium, or race-ground, is the path of piety leading through this world to the next; the runners are those who profess religion; the officers appointed to keep order, the ministers of the gospel; the spectators, men and angels; the judge, the Lord Jesus Christ; the reward, a crown of righteousness.

       Let us imagine a company of young persons just commencing the Christian race. They set off together; the directions are given to all, they are four in number: 

1. Be sure to lay aside every weight
2. Relinquish the besetting sin
3. Exercise patience
4. Look to Jesus

       They go along pretty well for awhile. Soon one is seen lagging behind. What is the matter? He has too much weight about him. Another drops off; his besetting sin has prevailed. A third is missing; what ails him? O, he is out of patience--with God, himself, and everybody besides. Some follow the directions--persevere to the end, and obtain the prize. But mark: of those who run in the Grecian games, one only could receive the prize. In the Christian race, all may run so as to obtain. The judge there was sometimes partial; the Christian's Umpire is the " Righteous Judge." The successful candidate, after all his labors, obtained only a garland of withering flowers; the Christian receives a glorious " crown of righteousness that fadeth not away." 

       "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up."
Hebrews 12:1-3

The Weight of God's Word

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy." 2 Peter 1:19

Look where the impartial balance hangs on high,

The Almighty's word against weak man's to try;

Huge folios rare, and many a bulky bale,

Are brought, and laid upon the even scale:

Of " Council's"' records many a tome is sent,

From the great Nicean, down to that of Trent;

" Creeds," " 'isms," creatures of the human thought,

Ancient and modern, are together 'brought;

And " Fathers" numerous, a learned line,

From Pseudo-Barnabas to Augustine;

The Bible now. of Protestants the pride,

Is placed alone upon the other side:

Creeds, Councils, Fathers, 'isms, twenty ream,

Fly up like chaff, and straightway kick the beam.

       The above engraving represents a pair of scales of equal balance, one side of which is loaded with books, packages, and parchments. Here are the minutes of eighteen general councils, beginning with that held in Nice, in the year of our Lord 325, and ending with that of Trent, which began in the year 1545, and closed in 1563, with many others. There are also the writings of the " Fathers," from those ascribed to Barnabas, but considered spurious, downward. Then there are Creeds without number, both of ancient and modern date; next follow the various isms of the day, that set themselves up against the word of God. These are all placed on one scale; the Bible is now brought and placed on the other, when lo! " Creeds, Councils, Fathers, and 'isms" are but as the dust of the balance. Lighter than vanity, they fly up and kick the beam; one Bible outweighs them all.

       This emblem is designed to show the authority of the Bible over the doctrines and commandments of men. When the lion roars, the beasts of the forests keep silence; when Jehovah speaks, the inhabitants of the world ought to stand in awe. During the space of fifteen hundred years, God uttered His voice in the ears of the children of men. He has declared his will, and sanctioned such revelation by the repeated manifestations of his almighty power. He employed holy men as the authorized recorders of his laws; and closed the whole with the denouncement of a curse against all who should add to, or diminish therefrom.

       Notwithstanding this, there have been men in all ages who have set up their will against that of the great Jehovah. They have made a record of the same, forbidding what God has commanded, and ordaining what God has prohibited. Thus, by their traditions, they make void the laws of the Eternal. What folly is this! what blasphemy! what rebellion! The words of the Lord are tried, pure, and everlasting; those of man are short weight, corrupt, and are passing away. By the laws of God, not by the opinions of men, we shall be judged at the last day.

       Terribly has the curse fallen upon those who have established human opinions in opposition to the Word of God  witness the Jews, who, since the fatal overthrow of their city, have been vagabonds over all the face of the earth. Witness the poverty, ignorance, and misery of those parts of the world where human creeds prevail, and where the Bible is rejected; yea, witness in the case of every man who substitutes his will for God's. To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

• "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16
• "Search the Scriptures." John 5:39
• "We thank God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is of truth, the word of God." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
• "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it." Deuteronomy 4:2
• "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." Revelation 22:18

"Take you at your word" by Avalon

The Forest-Feller

        The human race are as trees in the vast forest of this world, various in their forms and character, and in their degrees of utility, strength, and beauty: but they are alike destined to fall under the ax of the undistinguishing and inexorable feller.

       They are then made use of according to their different qualities -- some are applied to the noblest purposes. The cedars of Lebanon are the temple of the Most High; while the vile and worthless are cast into the fire and perish.

People compared to trees in scripture? Here are just a few examples from The New King James Bible:

Psalm 92:12

 12

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,

He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord

Shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14

They shall still bear fruit in old age;

They shall be fresh and flourishing,

15

To declare that the Lord is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Matthew 3:10

 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
 

Numbers 24:6

Like valleys that stretch out,

Like gardens by the riverside,

Like aloes planted by the Lord,

Like cedars beside the waters.

Psalm 1:3

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

    Nor stands in the path of sinners,

    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

    And in His law he meditates day and night.

3

He shall be like a tree

    Planted by the rivers of water,

    That brings forth its fruit in its season,

    Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper. 

 

Psalm 52:8

8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

Psalm 144:12 

¹² That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

Destruction of Death and Sin

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:15

      When the cruel destroyer, Death, has at length completed his work of desolation, and subdued all animated nature under his power, he shall himself be overthrown, his crown torn from him, and his iron scepter broken in pieces, by the mightier power of the Savior.

      Then shall his beloved help-mate, the enchantress Sin, be despoiled of all her destroying arts and charms, and, joined in his fall, shall crown the final triumph of our blessed Redeemer.

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) Words and Music
 by Marty Sampson, Benjamin Hastings & Dean Ussher
 © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA)

Symbols of The Christian Faith

"Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge
 of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure 
of the stature of the fullness  of Christ . . ." Ephesians 4: 13

See on the right, all glorious Hope doth stand,

And gives to heavenly Truth the plighted hand:

With Seraph's wings out-spread, Love stands between:

And binds their hearts with his celestial chain.

These are Faith's emblems; These its Parents three:

To produce Faith: Hope, Truth, and Love agree.

      Christian Faith is represented above, by a union of Truth, Hope, and Love. The hope of heaven is represented by the apostle Paul as the anchor of the soul, consequently Hope is usually depicted leaning on an anchor. She holds Truth by the hand, showing that they must be in close alliance. Truth holds in her hand the Holy Bible as a mirror, whereby sinful men can see the deformity of their hearts. With her right hand, she receives the overtures of Hope ; she tramples under her feet the mask of Hypocrisy; simple and unadorned, she rejects the cloak of dissimulation, and casts aside all concealment. Love holds the middle place, and strengthens the union subsisting between Hope and Truth. Divine Love is drawn with wings to represent her heavenly origin.

      Faith is both created and preserved by Hope, Truth, and Love. This Triad constitutes its efficient cause. Truth is indeed the mother of Faith. Hope assists in its creation, by its expectations and desires; Love nourishes and reconciles, and thus contributes to lay a foundation for Faith.

      True faith, as represented in the Scriptures, is always connected with a " good hope through grace." The truths of God's word form the only proper objects for its exercise. Without Love, there can be no good works ; and " without works faith is dead." Christian Faith, as described above, is distinguished from the faith of devils, who are said to " believe and tremble" because they have no hope; and from the faith of wicked men, who " love not the Lord Jesus Christ," and who are consequently " accursed;" and from the faith of the carnal professor, who has sold the truth and has pleasure in unrighteousness.

      The proper use of faith is to bring us to God, to enable us to obtain the promises contained in the word or truth of God. If Christ had not been moved by love, he would not have suffered ; if he had not suffered, we should have had no promise of pardon; if we had no promises, we should have no hope; if we have no hope, we shall have no saving faith in the mercy of God. Christ is set forth a refuge for sinners, he saves all who flee for refuge to the hope set before them; but those only who believe in him, flee to him. Faith then is an instrument of salvation; " by grace are ye saved through Faith."

      The sinner hears, and gives credence to the Faith of God: the terrors of the Almighty take fast hold upon him ; his sins weigh him down to the dust: but hark ! the voice of heavenly love is heard proclaiming: " Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He looks upward, Hope springs up, he ventures on the Redeemer, " who justifies the ungodly ;" his faith has saved him. It is counted to him for righteousness, and being justified by it, he has peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

      A celebrated divine once gave his little child an illustration of the nature of Faith in the following manner. The child had a beautiful string of beads, with which she was much delighted. Her father spoke to her, saying, " Come, my child, throw those beautiful beads into the fire, and I will, in the course of a few days, give you something far more beautiful and valuable." The child looked up into the face of her father with astonishment : after looking for a time, and seeing he was in earnest, she cast her beautiful toys into the fire, and then burst into tears! Here was Faith. The child believed her father spoke the truth; she expected, or had a hope, he would fulfill his promises; and confiding in his Love, she was willing to obey him though it cost her tears.

"What Faith Can Do" worship song from Kutless from
the new worship album, "It Is Well" in stores and online
October 20th, 2009. http://www.kutless.com

Truth

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? He that speaketh truth in hit

heart. Ps. Iv. 23. Thy word is Truth. John xvii. 17.

TRUTH.

Truth, glorious truth, of heavenly birth, and fair,

In simple majesty array 'd, is there ;

Her right hand holds the faithful mirror clear,

Where all things open as the light appear :

Her left, upon the sacred page reclines,

Where unadulterate truth resplendent shines ;

The world's false mask she tramples down with scorn,

Adorn'd the most when she would least adorn-

As her own temple on the margin seen,

Stands forth reflected in the silvery stream ; 

So what by her is thought, or said, or done,

Appears conspicuous as the noonday sun ;

Truth is the image of our God above.

That shines reflected in his sea of love.

All hail, bless'd Truth ! thou daughter of the skies.

Reign thou on earth, and bid earth's sons arise ;

Bid Virtue lead, and Justice hold the scale,

For thou art mighty, and wilt soon prevail.

      Truth is represented in the drawing above in the person of an artless female. She is attired with simplicity. In her right hand she holds a mirror. As the mirror reflects objects that pass before it as they are, without addition, alteration, or diminution, so Truth presents every thing just as it is. The left hand rests on the Holy Bible. This is to show that it is from thence she derives the principles which regulate her conduct, the source of unadulterated truth to mankind. She is seen trampling a mask beneath her feet. It is the mask of hypocrisy, which she rejects with scorn, as being utterly at variance with her principles and feelings. In the background stands the Temple of Truth, the image of which is plainly reflected by the clear, placid stream that glides before it.

      Truth, in an evangelical sense, is all-important. It alone will give character to an individual, more than all other qualities put together. It is of itself a rich inheritance, of more worth than mines of silver and gold. It is more ennobling than the highest titles conferred by princes. Everybody loves to be respected, but an individual to be loved and respected must be known. He only can be known who speaks the truth from his heart, and acts the truth in his life. We may guess at others, but as we do not know we cannot respect them, for like pirates they oftentimes sail under false colors.

      " Nothing is beautiful except Truth," is a maxim of the French, although it has been most deplorably neglected. Nevertheless, the sentiment is correct. Truth is glorious wherever found ; Jesus, who is "the truth" is the altogether lovely, and the fairest among ten thousand. Truth is the glory of youth, and the diadem of the aged. But Truth is essential to happiness, both in this world and also in the next. For " what man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."Lord, who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that

" speaketh the truth." It is related of Cyrus, that, when asked what was the first thing he learned, he replied, " To tell the truth." Cyrus must have been very fortunate in having such good instructors. Lord Chesterfield would have instructed him differently.

      In the days of Daniel, (as the tradition says,) the wise men were ordered by the king to declare what was the strongest thing on earth. Each man brought in his answers ; one said wine was the strongest, another mentioned women ; Daniel declared that Truth was the most powerful, which answer pleased the king, and the palm of victory was decreed to Daniel.

"Seize, then, on truth where'er 'tis found,

Among your friends, among your foes ;

On Christian or on heathen ground,

The plant's divine where'er it grows."

      Let not mercy and truth forsake thee ; bind them about thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart : so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Prov. iii. 3.

      The lip of truth shall be established forever : but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Prov. xii. 19.

      Buy the truth and sell it not. Prov. xxii. 23. Lie not against the truth. James iii. 11. Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth. Zech. viii. 16.

      Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord ; but they that deal truly are his delight. Prov. xii. 23.

True and False Principles

But the word of the Lord endureth forever. 1 Pet. i. 25.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matt. xxiv.35.

TRUE AND FALSE PRINCIPLES.

Lo ! where amid the arctic regions, rise,
The Iceberg's turrets glittering in the skies,
Like some cathedral Gothic built, it rides,
Borne by the winds, and ever-shifting tides:
All shapes fantastic soon the phantom wears,
A palace now, and now a ship appears:
At length it drifts towards some southern shore,
When lo I 'tis vanish'd, and is seen no more.
Not so the Rock that rears its ancient head,
Its deep foundation's laid in ocean's bed;
All change resists, unalter'd is its form
Amid the sunshine, and amid the storm.
Unmoved it stands, and still 'twill stand secure.
Long as the moon, and as the sun endure.

      The Iceberg lifts its towering summit to the clouds, sparkling and dazzling, like a group of temples overlaid with silver. Its crystalline magnificence is bewildering; it forms one of the most, splendid objects that the mariner meets with in the northern seas, and at the same time one of the most dangerous. It is a floating mass without foundation; winds, waves, and currents bear it along in all directions. It assumes the most fantastic shapes imaginable : sometimes it looks like mountains piled on mountains; then temples, palaces, and ships are seen by turns; then again, cathedrals of every order of architecture appear to the eye of the wondering beholder. After, awhile it drifts out of the high latitudes into milder climes. It is carried towards the southern shores, the sun pours it's burning  rays upon the mammoth temple, turret after turret, spire after spire disappear, until the whole has dissolved. Its glory has departed.

      How very different is the nature and destiny of the Rock that is seen lifting its time-worn head above the surrounding waves ! It is probably as old as time itself; it retains its ancient position; it's foundations take hold of the world; it is marked in the charts, men always know where to find it, and are therefore not endangered by it. Changing the form of the element that surrounds it, itself unchanged, the summer's sun and winter's storm alike pass harmlessly by it. It is one of the everlasting hills, it must abide forever.

      The engraving is an emblem of True and False Principles. False principles are represented by the Iceberg. Like the iceberg, they are without a foundation; however specious, brilliant, and fascinating  their appearance, they have no solidity. Like it, too, they are ever-changing: their form receives its various impression from the ever-fluetuating speculations of mankind, and from the power and influence of the times. Like it, they are cold and cheerless to the soul, nipping all its budding prospects, cramping all its mighty powers. Like the iceberg, also, false principles will melt away before the burning sun of truth, and pass into oblivion. It will not do to trust them. Who would make a dwelling-house of the transitory iceberg?

      It is not so with true principles; although they may appear somewhat homely at first sight, yet the more they are contemplated the more they will be admired. Like the Rock, their foundations are laid broad and deep. The principles of truth rest on the throne of God, they are as ancient as eternity. Like the Rock, they may always be found. Are they not written in the Holy Bible? Like their Author, they are without variableness or shadow of turning, for,

"Firm as a Rock, God's Truth must stand,

When rolling years shall cease to move."

      Semper idem--"Always the same"--is their motto. Like the Rock of Ages, true principles live when time shall be no more. As are the principles, so are all who trust in them, for "the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance." (Text)

A Christian hymn composed by Augustus M. Toplady
 in 1775. Sung in the video by the Antrim Mennonite Choir,
from their album 'Amazing Grace.'