"Those holy gates forever bar Pollution, sin, and shame; For none can find admittance there, But followers of the Lamb."
Rest must first be found in Jesus by coming to him, accepting his yoke, and working in his service. And to encourage all to do this he himself says: "_My yoke is easy, and my burden is light_." If you want to find out how easy his yoke is, and how light his burden, take it upon you, and see if it does not give your soul rest.
I sincerely believe that Charles Wesley, long ago, gave expression to feelings similar to those of some in this house, in the lines of a beautiful hymn, a part of which I will repeat. See if it does not find an echo in your soul:
"O, that my load of sin were gone! O, that I could at last submit, At Jesus' feet to lay it down! To lay my soul at Jesus' feet!
"Rest for my soul, I long to find: Savior of all, if mine thou art, Give me thy meek and lowly mind; And stamp thine image on my heart.
"Break off the yoke of inbred sin: And fully set my spirit free: _I cannot rest till pure within:_ Till I am wholly lost in thee."
You will realize the truthfulness of every one of these lines by coming to Jesus and fully consecrating your life to him. But rest does not necessarily imply _inactivity_. It means a heart and mind at peace. It means a heart filled with love to God and his people. It means a life of good works, wrought in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This is the rest that remaineth unto the people of God. It begins here; it goes on eternally in the heavens.
THE YELLOW SPRINGS (at present Orkney Springs).
This health and pleasure resort is near the head of Stony Creek, in Shenandoah County, Virginia. It is now universally known by the name of "Orkney Springs." It is beautifully situated near the eastern base of the Church mountain. From the yellow color of the sediment, left by its chalybeate waters, it first got the name of Yellow Springs.
It was, for many years, a favorite health resort for the German population of Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties in Virginia. Almost every Sunday during the "spring season," there would be preaching there by the ever earnest German Baptist Brethren. Attentive audiences would assemble under the shade trees, and on rustic seats listen to the plain but earnest sermons of such men as John Kline, Peter Nead, Samuel Wampler and others. All was quiet and order. But the goddess of fashion soon found her way to this lovely spot, and a long train of worshipers at her shrine, robed in rustling silks and sparkling with jewels, followed her leadings. In a few years not only the character, but the very name of the place was changed. It is at this time a very popular pleasure resort for the rich and fashionable.