Ebook Sermons

This, then, is the first conclusion, a conclusion borne out by other statements of Scripture, which we derive from the familiar acquaintance which the angels manifest with what Christ had said to the women in Galilee; namely, that angels are present when the Gospel is preached: angels had in all likelihood been present when the Redeemer an nounced his death and resurrection; and we may believe that, similarly, as the proclamation of redemption is now solemnly and statedly made, there are other auditors besides those whom our senses can discern; that, like the pro phet's servants, we need only the purging and strengthening of our vision, and in addition to the breathing masses of our fellow-men, we shall presently ascertain the place of our assembling to be thronged with burning forms, these stately intelli gences which are the ministers of God, executing his will throughout his vast and replenished dominion. And we need hardly stay to point out to you what an additional solemnity this should cast over these our gatherings in the house of the Lord; for it must commend itself to you all, that the being actually under the observation of the heavenly hosts, the having in the midst of us, as inspectors of what passes, a multitude of glorious creatures, the cherubim and seraphim that are permitted to enter the immediate presence of God himself.