Lessons of Faith and Life (Volume 12); Discourses (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1881 Excerpt: ... XII. THE ETERNITY OF GOD. Preached at the close of the year. "Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting."--Psalm xciii. 2. are two methods of religious growth, 01 JL quickening. One is by looking within, the other is by looking up. The first leads to the scrutiny of our own hearts; the consideration of our sins, our shortcomings, and our moral wants. The second process impels us to turn towards the infinite, --to let our individual concern mingle with the illimitability of the divine being; in one word, to find breathings of consolation and inspirations of duty by meditations upon God. Into such meditations I propose to lead you upon this last Sunday evening of the year. I take the words of the 'text as drawing us away from this transient time-scenery to that great reality upon which all things depend, and from which all things proceed. If the universe about us is not a mere whirl of blind forces, then is the declaration before us the greatest of truths. In the movement of events it assures us of a supreme and steady control: itassures us of permanence in the midst of change, --of a root of absolute being, out of which branches this sheaf of phenomena. In the growth and decay of systems, in the procession of years bearing swiftly onward our joys and our sorrows, tracing the brief furrows of our lives that end in grave-dust, "Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting." The them'e suggested by the text, then, is the eternity of God; and the special use which I wish to make of this theme at the present time is, a consideration of the eternity of God as a standard of human measurement. I say, the theme suggested by the text; for it is only in the way of suggestion that I propose to speak in this discourse. The words before us a...