FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Utica, N. Y., April 22, 1845.

FOR THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Utica, N. Y., April 22, 1845.

BROTHER BEEBE:—It is now a long time since you have received anything from me, and having a small remittance to make, I will, by your permission, drop a few lines through the Signs to the church of God scattered abroad.
Beloved brethren, it is declared in the Scriptures that Jesus Christ is precious to them that believe, and every person taught of God, I know, will heartily respond to such declaration made by the Apostle, and from an experimental acquaintance with such truth, and the holy stirrings of a principle of grace in their hearts will say, Amen. The preciousness of Christ to his people, consists I apprehend, in those sweet and blessed relations he sustains towards them, and in all these there is an exact suitableness to all their cases and wants, for, let the child of God be presented under whatever similie he may in the scriptures, we find the Lord Jesus bears a corresponding relation to him; for instance, is he called a child? Then Christ is his everlasting Father: is he spoken of as a sheep? Then Jesus is his Shepherd; is he presented as a subject of the kingdom of heaven? then Messiah is his king, to rule in him, over him, and for him. The Holy Ghost hath employed a wide variety of imagery, to set forth the glories of Christ and the precious characters he bears, and among the many figures presented, that of a Rock seems truly grateful and endearing.

O come let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise unto the Rock of our salvation, was the language of the church in days of old, (see Psalm xcv. 1,) and viewing our glorious Lord under this striking metaphor, we may consider him as the Rock of antiquity, or Rock of ages; on him the church of God has rested in all generations, an immoveable foundation, on which their faith and hope have been established, and notwithstanding all the adverse winds and storms that beat against their Rock, they lay down in the dust in peace. “These all died in faith”, says the Apostle, “not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them.” He is also a rock of defence. In this particular, how sweet and precious to that soul who knows his own weakness and imbecility, the Lord Jesus stands forth for him as the defender of his soul and the lifter up of his head, and thus it is written, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever.” It is on this glorious Rock the feet of the saints are placed, when brought out of the pit of corruption, darkness, and sin, and from this lofty eminence they view by faith the wonders of redemption, and sing that new song, which no man can learn but those who are sealed by the Spirit of the living God; and being strengthened by his Spirit in the inner man, they exult and triumph over all their foes. And this their song,—

A Rock of strength, of depth and height, Whose Godhead shines with glory bright. He is likewise a rock of safety. Regarding this topic, what a blessed appropriateness appears. While Christ is brought to view in this light, the church is presented in the character of a dove; and O! what condescension on the part of God! For her accommodation, this Rock is a cleft Rock, where she may hide herself in every time of danger. Christ indeed is precious to that tried Christian, who is called to experience the temptations of satan, and persecutions from avowed enemies and false friends, and that blessed individual who hath made this Rock his refuge, shall outride every storm. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” But again; Christ as a Rock, remember, contains the water of life and salvation. Herein he was prefigured in the wilderness as we are assured by Paul. “And they all drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” It is from this grand source, that every trembling soul shall be supplied with every spiritual blessing; and from his fulness “receive grace for grace:” and thus they happily learn “it is by grace they are saved, not of works lest any man should boast;” and having learned this important lesson, the pride of all human glory is stained with them, and Jesus becomes their “all in all;” for want of room, my dear brother I must close my scribble, but believe me, as ever, yours in the bonds of Christ.

THOMAS HILL