WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY.
By Geo. Wright
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. iv, 8. What an impressive exhortation is this! Happy they who heed it—and practice these virtues. Our Creator has endowed us with faculties to love and admire the beautiful, the noble, and the lovely. It inspires pure and noble thought, and refines the mind, to contemplate God in his works. What feelings of admiration and humility filled the bosom of the "man after God's own heart," when he broke forth in the following: "When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and stars which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him?" Ps. viii, 3. Such is the language and feeling of every renewed heart. Nature with all her loveliness is now spread out before us. Truly the tender mercies of God are over all his works. He causes his sun to shine and showers to descend which water the earth and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Isa. lv, 10. Truly as the poet says,
> Whate'er is beautiful or fair,
> Is but thine own reflection there. At this point my mind is irresistibly carried forward to the glorious restitution which is soon to take place, when the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, when we shall not build as we do here often and another inhabit, and plant and another eat, when the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. While listening to Bro. Loughborough on this glorious theme at the conference in H. recently, as he went on to describe the splendor and loveliness of the beloved city, while the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him and a happy smile lit up his countenance, and the tears of joy that coursed down the cheeks of nearly all present, and the heartfelt responses of amen and glory to God, were heard, what a thrill of joy pervaded my heart! I shall not attempt to describe it. It61was enough to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. Who that has a spark of the blessed hope in his heart would not quicken his pace? Dear brethren, while we are often carried as it were to the top of mount Pisgah, and with the eye of faith take a view of the promised land, let us remember there are valleys also to pass through. We shall find much tribulation before we enter the kingdom. The Lord gird us up for the conflict is my prayer. The times of refreshing are just before us. The latter rain will soon descend. Happy they who are prepared to receive the gifts and graces then showered down. A good brother once remarked that he wanted to live in such a manner that he might receive a sprinkling of the latter rain. Well dear brother, there was no mere sprinkling on the day of pentecost; for they were filled with the Holy Ghost is the record. O let us arise, and not be satisfied with present attainments, but resolve in the strength of Israel's God to do all his righteous will. May this be the heart-felt determination of every heart as we press on,
> Como joy or come sorrow whate'er may befall,
> An hour with my God will make up for them all. Yes, it is our privilege to live so that we may receive a copious shower. Covet earnestly the best gifts. 1 Cor. xii, 31. The proclamation of the third angel's message is gathering out a people and purifying them by its searching and solemn truths, so that God can safely bestow or impart all the gifts and graces once enjoyed when the Holy Spirit came down like a rushing mighty wind in the former rain. He will have a glorious church when he comes again to present to himself without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish. Eph. v, 2. Think you, dear reader, this church will not enjoy all the gifts and graces that ever have been enjoyed by the church since the world began? Impossible. There is another rain of a very different character, fearful in its nature, and fatal in its consequences, to fall upon those who have not fled for refuge and laid hold of the hope set before them. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest. Ps. xi, 6. Be entreated poor sinner by one who loves your eternal interest. Seek, O seek a refuge in God. Seek righteousness, seek meekness, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Zeph. ii, 3. The Spirit and that lovely city with all its dazzling splendor invites you to come. Whosoever will let him come,
> The Spirit calls to-day,
> Yield to its power;
> O grieve it not away,
> Tis mercy's hour. Soon will it be said, It is done. Christ will have finished his work as mediator. Mercy's door will close, and the kingdoms of this world which are now under the powers of darkness, will become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever, amen.
Geo. Wright.
Marshall, Mich.