Free
Church Presbyterianism, by Rev. James Begg, D.D.
Closing
Address: SPECIAL
DUTIES AND DANGERS OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
Part
14:
CONCLUSION.
THE Emperor of France, in his late work on Julius Caesar, has stated a
solemn truth, although in a perverted form, ascribing to fate what is
the result of God's holy providence. "There exists, one would say,"
says he, "in moral as well as physical order, a Supreme law, by which
to institutions as to certain beings a fated limit exists, marked by
the term of their utility." The people of Scotland have been taught to
look to our Church as the leading conservator and promoter of all that
is precious and sacred in our Presbyterian system, as founded on the
Word of God. It is for this reason they have stood by us so nobly
hitherto; and it is hoped that they will never have cause to look to us
for this peculiarity in vain.
The times in which we live are, moreover,
very peculiar. The 1260 years of prophecy must, on whatever
calculation, be nearly expired. Coupled with this, three things may
certainly be expected, — a great revival of Romanism, for "he deadly
wound of the beast is to be healed," — an abounding of infidelity, so
that, "if it were possible, the very elect would be deceived," — and
this followed by scourging judgements, "a time of trouble such as has
not been from the beginning, and never again shall be," amidst which
the glories of the latter day shall at length be ushered in, — the
grand jubilee of the world. And yet, "none of the wicked shall
understand these things, but the wise shall understand."
Do we see no
resemblance to all this in the times around us? The improbable growth
of Romanism, sneered at by many, is now palpable; and so is the growth
of infidelity, and yet it is an infidelity precisely in accordance with
the inspired record. In the perilous times of the last days, men, we
are told, shall be lovers of their own selves, lovers of pleasure more
than lovers of God, and yet not professed atheists for they are to have
"a form of godliness, but to deny the power thereof."
Moreover, does
not God seem to have begun in the great western world to ride his
bloody circuit of judgement for the overthrow of gigantic evils, not
only punishing the crimes of nations, but, as the Americans themselves
now admit, in such a way as to force them in their punishment to
remember their sins? [Applause.] Is that to terminate in America? or is
it not the beginning of sorrows? Shall the cup of judgement not go
round? Shall the hoary systems of European crime and despotisms always
continue to curse the earth? or shall they not also be visited by Him
who is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness,
and who has said that he will overturn, overturn, overturn, until He
come whose right it is to reign?
Whether nearer or more distant these
solemn events may be by which Christ shall take to Himself his great
power and reign, "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments
clean." The cry, "who is on the Lord's side ?" is now emphatically
passing through the world and through the land, and is addressed
equally to Churches and individuals. "Our God shall come, and shall not
keep silence: fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very
tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the Heavens from above,
and to the earth that he may judge his people. Gather my saints
together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by
sacrifice."
May we each have grace to work and watch as those that must
give an account. May we be prepared to stand in our lot at the end of
the days, and in the language of Scripture to respond to the stupendous
summons, "The winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the time of
the singing of birds is come. This is our God: we have waited for Him,
and he will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
So
much for ourselves; and what of Scotland? In these days of Romanism,
rebuke, and blasphemy, may we not exclaim, —
"My country, wilt thou
faithful be,
Through the tempest of the night,
To God, thy martyr'd
ancestry,
And thy witness cloud so bright?
Till the breaking of the
morning
Be thou still the gospel's home;
And the cause of truth
adorning,
Be watchword, War with Rome. " [Great applause.]
The
Moderator then engaged in prayer, and gave out the last three verses of
the 122nd Psalm, which were, as usual, sung by the Assembly standing.
The benediction was then pronounced, and the Assembly rose shortly:
after eleven o'clock.
~ The End. ~