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VOL. X. Commmticatnms. Opelika, Ala., June 1, 1860. Brother Beebe: —Having been rancli from home of late, I have not bad the opportunity of attending to the request of sister Jane Y Harmon, who requested a comment on Isa. xl. 1. As I have a little spare time this morning, I will try to write a little, and finally finish the letter, as opportunity is given. The text reads. “ Comfort ye , comfort ye my people, saith your God” One great design of the Almighty in giving the Scriptures, is to comfort Lis people thereby. See Rom. xv. 4. The very text we are about to con sider is fraught with .words of sweeter comfort. — It is the language of the Almighty, who has made heaven and earth, and holds the entire destiny of nations and kingdoms in his own Almighty hand. He speaks words of comfort to his disconsolate and afflicted people, and his word must be obeyed. He has comfort to gi.ve to all that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning the garment or praise for the spirit of heaviness. It is worthy of special notice, that though the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof, yet there are a people whom he claims in a special and peculiar sense from all others. He calls them “My people,” “My chosen,” “My treasure, “My jewels,” “ a peculiar people.” Thus setting them forth in special distinction from all other people. In Isa. xliii. 21, He says, “ This people have I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise.” If we wish to know who is in tended by the phrase, “ This people,” we can soon determine by looking at the 20th verse of the same chapter, where the Lord says, “ My people, my chosen.” Here are words of comfort, my peop'e, my chosen. This people he has formed for himself in a peculiar manner, and they shall show forth his praise in giving honor and glory to his name for his choice and for his love, and for that grace which is manifested to them through Christ Jesus in bringing them to a knowledge of their inheri tance. The text is so worded as to present the Lord in the most affectionate and endearing rela tion to his people. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people. David says, “ Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” Happy is he who hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Psa. cxliv. 15. Therefore we may speak words of great comfort to this people. This people while in this evil world, need comfort. They have many and sore trials and sorrows ol heart, which the world knows nothing about.— v> jl xxill bIA-v “ ©m a, ©hi uiu, aJST!!? COVINGTON, NEWTON CO., GA., JULY 1, 1860. That which gives others comfort often makes them very sad. They cannot rejoice in iniquity, but they greatly rejoice in the truth. Christ Jesus is their life and salvation, and their only hope of ac eepiance with God. The Lord has taught them that they are helpless sinners, and made them to feel the curse and condemnation of his holy law. They have learned that no man can come unto the Father, but by Jesus Christ. Jesus must bear their sins in his own body, and make an atonement for them. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, hence nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus, will comfort the people of God. In the connection of the text, the prophet brings forcibly to view the glorious reign ©f grace, as manifested in the gospel dispensation in distinction from all the types, shadows and ceremonies of the law. Prophets and wise men desired to see these things, but died J without the sight, only as they embraced them by faith. But “Speak ye com fortably to Jerusalem.” All things shadowed forth in the law, and the prophets shall be fulfilled in Christ. He will come with strong hand, his work is before him, and his reward is with him. He • ’ ■*’ | will feed his Hock hke a shepherd, gather AhU lambs with his arm, and carry them in Lis bosom. Redemption and salvation from sin is in him. — Therefore, “ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” “ Sing 0 heaven ; and be joy ful, 0 earth, and break forth into singing, O moun tains; for the Lord hath comforted his people , and will have mercy upon his afflicted.” Isaiah xlix. 13. The Lord knows how to comfort, and when to comfort. His promise is often applied to his dis* tressed children, to give them comfort. It is a pleasant word to us in distress, to hear him say, u I will never leave nor forsake thee.” All other friends may fail us, and all other comforts be taken away, but the strength of Israel will not lie, he will never forsake his people in any trouble or dis tress. True indeed they often think the Lord has forsaken them, and forgotten to be gracious, but even when they think he is farthest oft* from them, he is then very nigh. They are passing through certain scenes and trials, where they cannot behold his hand, he makes darkness his pavillion, and round about him are dark waters, and thick clouds of the sky. Yet, though it be ever so dark and mysterious to us, and we may think like good old Jacob, that “all these things are against us.”— Still the hand of God is in it all, and it will then yield the peaceable fruit of lighteousness to us, so that we may be enabled to exclaim, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.” When Christ Jesus was about to be taken from his disciples, they were troubled at the thought, but had they then known all things connected with his going away, they would have rejoiced, because if he went not away, the comforter would not come. He promised them most positively that he would not leave them comfortless. The com forter which God’s people have is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive. This great comforter is always nigh and shall abide with the saints forever. It applies all the bless ings of grace and salvation, and brings them to the heart and understanding of all saints. It searches all things, yea, the deep things of God, and makes manifest our interest- in the blood and righteousness of Christ. If we feel the love of God burning within us, it is because it is shed abroad there by the Holy Ghost. Comfort ye , comfort ye my people , saith your God. In conclusion I would say to sister Har mon, and to all that are in any trouble, that I humbly hope that God will apply the words of the text to your comfort. Sorrow and distress are no evidences that you are not one of God’s people. — If you were not in trouble and sorrow, you would ] no, need this comfort of the^ gospel of Ti you feel to be poor, helpless and dependant, there is unsearchable riches in Christ for you. He gives his riches to none but the poor and needy, the hungry and thirsty. Hence we bear, “Ho every one that thirstetb, come ye to the waters, come buy wine and milk without money, and without price.” Do you thirst for living water? This water is in Jesus, it is a precious fountain that is open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness. There you may drink freely, and bathe in the fountain of God’s eternal love, and bask away in that comfort which none but God can give. Finally, all God’s people will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall they ever be with the Lord, — “ Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thess. iv. 18. W. M. MITCHELL. Mount Morris, June 11, 1860. Brethren in Christ —As I have a few moments leisure I thought I would write a few words for the comfort of God’s dear children, if it will not crowd out more valuable matter. The 89th Psalm and 18th verse you will find the words, For the Lord is my defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king. — David knew by experience that the Lord was his defence, and the Holy One of Israel his king, and in the Lord he trusted ; for he bad seen his own wicked heart when God opened his eyes, and b® found he was a poor helpless sinner before God, and