by Joseph Parrish Thompson
originally published in 1866
paperback; 210 pages
The Holy Spirit is in the Church as the Caller and the Called — cheering faint and troubled hearts with his voice of peace, and ever within call of those who seek his help. The Paraclete is he who is ever at hand as helper, who stands by us in all our need; nigh to speak to us words of counsel and of comfort, nigh to answer our call when we turn to him for aid. As one who calls, the Paraclete utters consolations or exhortations; as one who is called, he is appealed to as an advocate to maintain a cause. The two thoughts are beautifully interblended in the eighth chapter of Romans; the Spirit brings to us the comforting, animating assurance, that we are the children of God; and the "Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, and maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." By the Holy Ghost, God is in the church as the Helper of yearning, sorrowing, struggling souls.
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