The New York herald., 1844-11-25

University CAApsi-Ds. Potts.
Considerine the coldnes Of the day, the number
OF persons who attended the ministry Of the word
hy Dr. -satts on Last haih4ayyswsssasssFusing
to the friends Of religion. large proportion Of
them were ladies'. The Doctor is a handsome
man; ne looks well in the pulpit-his eloquence
does NOT ft 70 not the eloquence Of The pulpit but
that OF The Senate. His afiirmations come forth
like the DEGREES of an oracle-his discourse Is
enounced with the confidence of ga man with
authority" whose conviction is that there can be
but one right way, and that the one which he
points out For persons Of strong faith this mode Of
preaching is admirable, but for that class of per-
sons who are given to reason a little-to enquire
to analyze-to compare-it is by no means easy of
digestion. We are grieved to say that. being ac-
customed to the latter mode of receiving the word
the sermon now under consideration did not come
home to apprehension. 1t was a sermon fair sized
albeit from a brief text-it was a sermon, in
Short that will not be forgotten-smply because it
was not remembered. The portion OF scripture
selected for the Doctors meditation was from
81. Mathews Gospel xxi Chapter. 4ad Verse" What
think you OF this manf"
He began BY SAYING that II had been his purpose for
time past to deliver series Of dscourses the
divinity character attributes and mission OF the Mes
silh Alter very long end discursive exordum, in
which he detailed his intended plan Of treating the sub
ec review the prophecies concerning Christ and their
confirmation by events occurring at his advent and dur
ing his ministry the soie and alLsuficient
thority Of revelation and then proceeded to consider
rs the general mportanc. Of the subject secondly the
necessity for Its discussion As to its importance
subject OF Gods revelation mankind showing the
various and infinite heads which compose the divine dis
ah Tn divinity Of the Saviour was not to be regarded
grand episode in the concerns Of the world,
it the subject itself to which everything turned
tfc huup M lam
Of the Messiah and quoted many texts to show that
belief in the divinity Of Christ requisite to saliva
New Testament, was belief Condemnation
shown by the following text and several others which he
quoted -. ie that believcth tho Son hath everlasting
fe but he that believeth not the Son shall
fe-but the wrath OF God abideth him." The Pagan
ing revelation the wsest OF their philosophers
fault Their system admitted the degeneracy and guilt
Of man. but knew Of no means to avert the punishment
All must admit that an infinite Importance attaches to
doctrine that made the Indispensable condition of the
souls salvation John says He that hath not the Son
hath not the Father" showing that knowledge Of the
Son is as necessary knowledge OF the Father
they must march hand in hand, and reflect light
each other This passage not to be con.
sdered Of importance as a matter of curious specu
ation, but because 1t w8s in itself her highest in
vestgation and most momentous its results tnat can
be conceived Ignorance Of the reason why this belief
is indispensable should not permit an indulgence in
% Of ssong 0s lGns ss rnD dna that BE-
not be neglected. It common subject Of
ton as to what were essentials and nonessenais in
was given by inspiration, il could hardly be considered
that any part was trivial unimportant. Still there
might be an attachment to certain peculiar tenets which
would not incur the penalty Of unbele but the dsinc
ton between essentials and non essentials DANCE
its outside covering, which Was The medium of circula
on for the vital sap yet il might remain tree after be-
ing divested Of portion Of its branches and as a
could be longer a If he lost the orr ans
Of vitality, yet he might remain after tie sepa.
ration Of some Of his limbs; doctrines might be
considered essential as they affected our faith They
not to set up their opinions as stan.
dards Of what was essential rot; for that begun
it would be difficult to stop at tie right place amidst
graduation Of belief whose modification blended into each
other like the day and twilight like twilight and starlight
upon the kind Of belief which the scriptures demanded Of
the divinity OF Christ Mentioning the hcresies of
the Gn'stcs the Arians the sibaps and the Sweden.
borgians Of our city, he said that in the present day
frequently wondered at that the word Of God should
be made the of such various and
but to the truth and many tempted ask why God
allowed any ambiguity to exist in his revelation-why
take it Now his Dr Potsy answer was ,his-the am.
biguy not in the Scripures-the diversity Of views
which were sought to be supported By Scripture author.
in the readers mind for every day life showed that
fact however plain or certain-no document, however
carefully drawn up In its words escape the subtety
OF men bent on cavilling about its meaning BY
going into the courts Of justice, and hearing the
arguments Of the special this will be proved
once. What grand truth was solegibly written the
universe the being Of God; yet the being OF God
upon to add ything more explicit to the evidence we
now have Of our own existence-f called upon
to advance any clearer argument to prove
porenl reality could do SO? Yet all acquainted with
the various theories of mental philosophers know that the
reality Of existence has been called question
that not by inadmen fanatics, but by phoso pliers
Does any think, them that he cond by other forms
Of express make the doctrine OF the proper divinity
Of Christ plain that but fool madmsn could
cavil at IT, What language, it may be asked could he
employ explicit than tina. found in the first chapter
of st, Johns Gospel So with all articles Of the Chris
candid enquirer who takes the written doctrines Of
Christianity as infaiblewho takes the obvious meaning
Of terms-who does not interpose between his
victon and the truth, the authority Of his
Bring any doctrine to such Judge and who can know
what decision may be passed upon hem and for this
sonhat the world degeneracy and SIM perverse habits
Of mind and body have untitled man to be udge-have
disqualified him from deciding free from error As the
price of liberty sleepes vigilancethe price you and
dear hearers, have to pay for knowledge ot truth is
attention best of knowledge and sleepess
watchfulness against the intrusion Of and the
promptngs af deprdved heart Search the Scriptures
and let this eAploy be continued in ndoent
nor indHsrent-a soepca nor scoffng manner, and we
engaged in highest pursuit Truth is not OBJ
vious that must for il that the there
would be nothing voluntary in searching for It. This
fact should comfort and encourage every onetha the
measure OF responsibility il opportunity and that allow
means of piety. From him to whom much given much
shall be expected Let the glory Of the Lord be the watch
word Of the Church First pure then peaceable In this
spirit propose to answer the question: What think
whom with the Son and the holy Spirit, be all glory
and honor for ever and ever. Amen.
Personal Movements.
General VIM H. Marriott has been appointed Collector
Of the port Of Baltimore in the place OF Nathaniel Will
ams, Esq, removed.
Han Isnac Van Z,ndt late rninietar from Tavas