A Semi-centenary Discourse delivered in the First African Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, on the fourth Sabbath of May, 1857/Chapter 1
DISCOURSE.
Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.—Ex. xiv. 15.
I have chosen this subject for the occasion on account of its scope. What to the children of Abraham under their peculiar situation, may to the people of God, in this clay, be as important.
Go forward, as a command from the mouth of God, is worthy of our deepest consideration, and should be regarded as worthy of all acceptation by a nation, a community, a sect, or a church, and should by the individual man, in his life, practice, example, faith, grace, knowledge, wisdom, truth, and holiness.
What I purpose upon this occasion is—
I. To notice the circumstance that gave rise to the text—that briefly.
II. The command as it affects the individual.
III. The command as it touches a church, and the history of this church.
I. It is known to you all that the children of Israel were in captivity in Egypt, and remained in that condition upwards of 220 years. The sequel of their bondage shows that their condition was one of affliction and distress their repeated cries and supplications to God make this assertion as clear as a sunbeam. To such an extent did their oppressors torment them by exacting the severest labor and most cruel demands, that their cries ascended to God, and he determined to deliver them.
To this end Moses was raised up as a leader and deliverer of this people. Now the circumstance of Moses being raised up is as singular as it is interesting: a brief sketch of it in this discourse may not be out of place, as there seemingly are some points of it analogous to the life of Mr. Gloucester, the founder of this church.
Moses was of a family of the oppressed, and as far as human estimate considers it, was of humble origin: still he was chosen by the Almighty as the future instrument to bring about a deliverance for these bondmen. The miraculous manner of his preservation from the cruel and heartless order of Pharaoh is a peculiarity worthy of notice: his being placed in an ark of bulrushes—a very fragile vessel—and then set upon the margin of the river among the flags, and there found by Pharaoh's daughter. His preservation and education by the princess is also worthy of thought, and will show that God chooses instruments, ways and means to bring about his purposes which to human speculation is the most improbable: yet is it true, simple and improbable as it may appear; but they are sure in their results, and fail not.
So it appears in the case under consideration. Israel was to be delivered from bondage; a leader was wanting; that leader was, and must be a man possessing peculiar traits of character—a peculiar man, necessary and fitted for the work—every feature of character was to stamp him as the man for the occasion and the business.
And how well did God produce in Moses these peculiar traits; how completely did he regulate, direct, and control every event in order to accomplish the end;—brought up in Pharaoh's house, under the parental watchings of his own mother, wittingly introduced as a nurse, his education perfected, through the king's daughter, and that education a liberal and finished one, are surely very remarkable. Then consider his meekness, the softness of manners, the inflexible integrity of his heart, his great firmness, his courage and boldness, his deep love for his people, and his faith in God, are so many proofs by which we conclude the man was fitted for the work. It does not require much insight into human affairs to determine that the above traits of character must exist in a man who would lead in a measure of importance. The rise of empires, kingdoms, and republics are proofs in point. It requires a stout heart, strong arms, and much firmness to grasp the helm of affairs and steer forward amid dangers and liabilities until success shall crown the effort.
Arrived at the age of manhood, God informs Moses that he is chosen as a leader of his people. The subsequent message to King Pharaoh; the wonderful things done by God to bring the king to his senses in order to restore the people their liberty, to undo their heavy burdens, &c, you are informed of, and how faithfully their leader performed his duty. You have knowledge of their final departure from Egypt to a land of freedom, the land of Canaan, where they could worship God under their own vine and fig-tree, none to molest or make them afraid, and we can well imagine what their hopes and anticipations were when they found their journey toward the promised land really begun, as in their tribes and families they take up the line of march.
During their journey Moses, at the command of God, caused the people to turn in before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, &c., and there encamp themselves. It was during this encampment that Pharaoh regretted having liberated the Israelites, and he determined to pursue them and drive them back to Egypt, winch he accordingly attempted: his horsemen and chariots and his army were soon gathered, and he went in pursuit of the Israelites. Seeing the Egyptians pursuing, they began to murmur and complain against Moses; they became very uneasy at the sight of their enemies, and regretted having left Egypt.
Now it is true God commanded them to encamp, and it was during that very time that the enemy appeared hence it may be inferred that their dilemma was not brought about by any act of theirs; so that they being found resting when they should have been journeying was not their fault. To this, in view of the text, we find no objection; the only exception is their mistrust of God, and want of confidence in their leader, by complaining and reproaching Moses for the danger in which they were placed. Moses too, though not mistrustful of God, sought in the first place to allay their fears, and so check their murmurs and reproaches—an evident delay that might have been better employed, for it is plain that it was a time for action, a time that should have been employed in fleeing from the pursuer, and extricating themselves from their trouble. This will appear still more evident by tracing further the course taken by Moses, and the order he received from God. After first trying to quiet the fears of the people, he next addresses himself to God. Whereupon the Lord said unto him, "Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." As though it were said, Lose no time, improve every moment, cry as you go forward, the enemy is behind you, your course is before you, though it be through the sea go forward and lose no time, and look to me for deliverance and success. The sequel of this incident in the history of this people you all know they did go forward, their difficulties were removed, for the sea was- made to part at the lifting up of Moses' rod over it, and the people went through safely; which their pursuers essaying to do, were overwhelmed and destroyed.
II. I call your attention to these words as they affect the individual man. I adopt this course as you can plainly see that a community or an army, a nation or a church, are comprised of individuals, each man making up the aggregate, and therefore upon the life, conduct, and action of each man depend, in a greater or lesser degree, the power and influence of the whole, whether it be a nation, an army, or a church.
Now as it regards individuals, we assume that no man in the great world of life and action can be idle and indifferent to the callings and claims of government; regarding men as citizens, members of society, heads of families, or in the relation of friends, it cannot with any show of truth be said upon him there are no claims. Every man, more or less, has some part to perform in the drama of life; there can be no stand, no rest, no indifference on this active, busy, working stage; the world is ever moving, and everything around shows life, activity, energy, commotion; the world goes forward in numerous almost countless operations; its motto is forward. As individuals we must go forward upon the broad bosom of this ocean life and contribute our something towards the press of interests that impels forward: who moves not will be pushed aside, or irresistibly borne forward, uncared for and unhonored: we all must struggle in this race of active life, and add our quota to the universal use. The command is a good one, Go forward, and wise is the man who obeys it. Observation with its keen eye, attentive ear, comprehensive intellect, and sound judgment, attests the fact that in order to accomplish any purpose or attain any end, the individual man must go forward to insure success and grasp his desire. No aim in life can be successful without it. If in quest of wealth or position, science, literature, or anything else, earnest perseverance as well as strong, resolution, activity and energy, are necessary forces, and must be brought out for the struggle. Is the aim intellectual greatness, the command Go forward holds good; attention, assiduity, application, are elements necessary to crown the effort. In the life of each man the command is good; to him it is as essential as any law of his being. Old habits, if they are injurious in their tendency by corrupting the heart in any way, must be broken off, and a sound morality, virtuous and upright deportment, must mark the general character.
Particularly is this command good in the Christian man's life. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Every professing Christian must grow in grace and in knowledge—knowledge of himself, of his God, of his obligations to the world around him, and as to matters of faith grow therein. Paul says—"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Viewing the principle plainly taught in this text as it bears upon the individual man, we must admit its importance and necessity, as it enters into every arrangement introduced for his government by Jehovah himself. He writes it in fairest lines drawn upon every effort to benefit the moral or the Christian world—progress, progression, is the seal of God itself, whereby is stamped the likeness and image of that Being who gave to Moses the command Go forward. It does seem that God, through every progress made, whether in the arts or sciences, whether in the church or state, only reiterates what he said to Moses whilst they were resting before Baal Zephon. And from amid this world of life, where all are in commotion, and each one agitated upon its troubled bosom, pushing his way through the laboring multitudes, shall we single out the Christian man and say to him as the representative of a class of that busy world, you are an exception, whilst others should go forward you may stand still: this can never be; the Christian man can no more stand idle amid the conflicts of life than the earth on which he dwells can cease its revolutions and exist. Every one of us has work to do, around us as well as within us. We begin in childhood to act our part upon the stage of life: as we grow in age, in size, in strength, so grows our labor; as we develop our physical and mental man, so must we produce qualifications necessary for the employments and engagements of life, every man for his calling, as Paul records it. "But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal: for to one is given, by the spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge, by the same spirit; to another faith, by the same spirit; to another the gifts of healing, by the same spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." There is therefore an obligation upon every Christian professor, a necessity of going forward in every calling, whether of faith or practice; to make progress—plain, unmistakable progress, such as will be seen, felt, and acknowledged by all. These should be so plain as to mark the Christian in his life and efforts to advance the interest of humanity and the glory of his God. This is, in fact, the chief end of man.
III. The command in its scope touches governments and communities as well as individuals, they too must go forward in the march of life. It is as necessary in all that concerns their interests as the individual. They should go forward from a state of barbarism to enlightened civilization, from heathen superstition to a knowledge of the Christian graces these steps mark the greatness of a nation, and the ever growing, enlightening, civilizing, and Christianizing progress are plainly seen by their greatness and their power.
What is true in these instances is true in relation to a church, which brings us to our third consideration. The church is comprised of any number of individuals for the service and worship of God; it may be regarded as a community or government—a kingdom if you please—Christ, however, is its head. The church is commanded to go forward; it must not, cannot tarry on the plain of human progress. The church has its aim and its end; it is an intelligent intellectual body; it has something in common with other intelligent agencies to do; whatever it is must be done; to accomplish which it must go forward. Is the church itself small and diminutive, it must swell and increase until its huge form can be seen like a great mountain away in the distance. The handful of corn planted must produce the wavy field, rich for the harvest. The stone cut out of the mountain must roll on and roll on until it fills the earth. The church of Christ has an interesting work to perform, and in that work there must be progress. Righteousness through it must be established, truth maintained, justice advocated, mercy pleaded; love, free, full, universal love to all, among all, contended for, with a zeal and fervor and sincerity that should know no abatement; to this end every available means must be used, every effort made; hearts and heads and hands of men must be enlisted to work out the redemption of the world; sin of every kind, cast, or color must be destroyed; against them all the church must fight, though it be against principalities and powers or spiritual wickedness in high places; every instrumentality must be seized upon to carry forward the interesting work of Christianity, civilization, redemption, reformation—revolution if need be; sin must be slain. The church must do its part, and do it well; discouragements and opposition should be no barriers, we must go forward, it is God's command. A body of godly working Christians is a sight which angels can contemplate with delight, and which God himself approves. The church must move on; from what we see it must move on, there is no encamping here, amid this battle-field of life. Men and nations and communities are heeding the command and moving forward: science is holding up its magic lamp, and by its light athwart the pathway of men and nations does she throw a broad glare to guide them in their onward course, and along its brilliant pointings is the world moving forward. The church must not lag behind lest she be pushed aside, to be passed by unnoticed and unhonored; it must go forward towards perfection in every good work; it must increase in efficiency, to benefit the world; it must be diligent and active in the pursuit of every enterprise which claims its attention and care; its efforts abroad, like its efforts at home, must be attended to; its great heart should throb for the world's salvation, and its broad arms should encircle all mankind—that is its business, its duty, and should, must be its aim; to this end the church must go forward in might and in power, put on strength and grow in grace, in knowledge, wisdom, purity, and holiness; for the church there lies the life struggle, the aim of the church. Let us of this church see to it that we move forward, that we make progress onward and upward. Our fathers went forward in their day, nobly forward; they did their duty, and they did it well; so that we now looking back upon those early times, though fifty years have rolled away and balled up all the doings of those long, long years, still can we of this later day, in view of what we now know and see, truthfully exclaim, "Well done, good and faithful servants."
What was commanded the people by the mouth of Moses was commanded by a greater than Moses to our fathers; they did go forward; they have finished their work, crossed over Jordan, and are now in Canaan and at rest. The same God, by the mouth of his son, calls upon every man and woman in this church to arise and go forward. The labors and example of our fathers show we are resting, positively snugly encamped before some Baal Zephon. My brethren, I call upon you arise; God commands you to go forward; why stop to complain, why to lament and say O Lord, look upon us in our low estate; oh, pity our condition; help us in our leanness? Moses did this very thing. God said to him Why cryest thou to me? command the people that they go forward. And now if you would succeed, work—work while you pray; for God will help no man, nor any church that will not help themselves.
If we would insure success we must first be diligent in what our hands find to do; we must make progress if we desire the church to prosper, and to travel in the greatness of her strength; you, my brethren, elders of this church, must walk around Zion, view her bulwarks and her towers, examine her walls, and see that all is in order, like those fathers who once occupied the position you now fill. you must repair every breach, guard every pass, secure every gate, and keep a watchful eye all around you: you are the officers of this army of our King; lead on the people; say to them Go forward, we are in an enemy's country, and our foes are pressing hard upon us; we must be up and doing; there must be less complaining and more laboring; less resting and more action; more of the vital and practical workings of Christianity than its desirings; more of the spirit's working power among us than forms and conventional formulas; in short, we must go forward in every good word and work.
And what is true of us as office bearers is true of the individual member—for we are after all members, one of another, all one in Christ, all journeying along the same pathway in life; we have the same hopes and fears, the same common enemy to fight, the same conflicts within us and without, the same aim and end in view, the same heaven in prospect, the same God to serve, and withal the same road to travel to reach our journey's end. Each member of this Zion, then, is called upon to go forward, to throw aside every weight and every burden, and the sin that doth so easily beset them, and run with patience the race that is set before them, looking at the same time to Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of our faith. The membership of a church must have a mind to work if they would see the salvation of God, in many souls being delivered from the power of sin and Satan and ushered into the marvellous light and liberty of God's children. May I call upon each one to-day to dedicate himself afresh for this desirable, nay necessary end? But how are we to do this? Can it be done alone by praying? Often this proves a delusion. Prayer of course must be used, by all means; yet are there other essentials necessary in this work; there must be an earnest, serious, and manifest interest evidenced in us all for the glory of our God, the conversion of souls, the prosperity of this church. And what evidences this? Why, the temper and spirit in which we enter and labor in it; the sacrifices we are making of our time, our means, and of our ability to do, in any way or manner, what the cause of our Redeemer demands of us. We must let our light shine before men; not our words, our professions, or our formality, but our Christian principles, Christlike to do good, and to communicate—forget not. We must be the salt of the earth; our example in life and practice must show to men that we have been with Christ and have been taught of him: this we must evidence by our daily life, daily conversation, in our intercourse with our fellow men, whether in the house or by the wayside, in the workshop, or anywhere else. We must be willing to do the will of our heavenly Father, by doing whatever our hands find to do; Ave must go forward; in God's work there can be no resting point. In our travels to the promised land we must go forward; God commands, it is ours to obey