CHAPTER X

THE STARS AS SYMBOLS

ASTRONOMERS tell us that all the visible Stars are suns, and that each of them in all likelihood is the centre of a system of orbs invisible to us because of their smaller size and immense distances from the earth. Many of the visible stars are hundreds of times larger than our sun, and yet they appear to us,-not only to the naked but also through the very strongest teleeye, scopes, ― merely as twinkling points of light. The thought is overwhelming, and impels the devout mind adoringly to exclaim, 'Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty.'

The stars do not belong to our solar system. They are above and beyond the planetary sphere. Of whom then, are they the symbols? Here again, as with the symbols already referred to, we apply for the answer, not to our

own fancy or imagination but to the Sacred Scriptures. The questions which were Divinely put to the patriarch Job direct our thoughts to the right reply,- The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, Gird up now thy loins like a man, for I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth, who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?'

or

The stars then are symbols of the angels, and very beautiful and suggestive symbols they are. Consider their points of resemblance. Angels were anterior to man, and do not belong to our race; but as 'sons of God' they were filled with joy and rejoicing when our earth was created and man was formed. They are outside of our human system, and yet are profoundly interested in the history, doings, and destiny of mankind; for are they not all 'ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation'? As the stars minister to the earth, so the angels minister unto men, and both are great in number and power.

in

The stars are divided into separate systems, and the angels into distinct families, every one differing from every other. There are Angels and Archangels, Seraphs and Cherubim, Thrones and Dominions, Principalities and Powers, and these probably are the titles of only a few of endlessly numerous races of superior beings inhabiting the heavens of God. The Lord is Head of every angelic race; and because all the angels are filled with His spirit and are constantly imbibing His love, they rejoicingly minister unto men. Oftentimes, like Himself, they visibly appeared the ancient days and rendered definite and special service to many, but since the redemptive work of the Saviour was finished, His gospel completed, and His Spirit given, their visible services have not often been permitted. If men will not believe the gospel when they read it in the light of Christ's Life and Character, Resurrection and Ascension, and the miracles wrought in His name by the Apostles, neither would they do so though an angel from heaven were to come and assure them of its truth. And God will neither compel men to believe, nor make their responsibility greater than is necessary.

But to all the children of faith, the angels delight to minister. Through all the gospel era they will continue to serve invisibly, and their service, we may be sure, is valuable. We know from the manifest blessings which they rendered in the olden times something of what their invisible service is likely to be in the present and future whilst we remain upon the earth. They receive with joy the communications of the Divine will-the will of their own Lord and ours—and then make haste to fulfil them. With all the agility of the winds they fly to do their Creator's errands and execute His high behests. We are told that they rest not day nor night' in this worshipful and congenial service. Turning the faces of their hearts continually towards the visible God, they receive into the inmost of their being the inspirations of His wisdom and love, and are always ready and willing to do His bidding. This is true of every rank and order, from the lowest to the highest, for they are all ministering spirits. Love delights to obey and please.

They are 'sent forth to do service.' There is nothing done in the heavens as the result of

creaturely impulse or individual determination, but only according to the will and appointment of the Lord. And because His will is love and is therefore loved and obeyed by all, order universally prevails, while disappointment and unhappiness are impossible and unknown. He sends them forth to minister unto men because He loves the human race, especially the heirs of salvation; and the angels come with alacrity and gladness not only because they are lovers of God, but also because, like God Himself and for His sake, they too are lovers of humanity. All who are precious in His sight are dear to their affections.

To whom do they chiefly, if not exclusively, minister? To 'them that shall inherit salvation.' And who are they? No one who understands God's Word will require to be told that they are believers in and lovers of Christ, and who through vital union with Him by faith have become the reconciled children of the Divine Father. A great redemption for men was wrought out by Jesus; and now a full salvation is freely offered to every hearer of the gospel, and by every human being who accepts the un