The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-08

FIRST DAY.
Annlversary Of the New York Bible Society at
the Tabernacle, Broadway.

FIRST DAY.
Anniversary Of the New York Bible Society at
the Tabernacle, Broadway.
The annual sermon the occasion Of the anniver-
sary Of the above society preached last evening at
the Tabernacle by DR.. Addison Alexander, Of Prince
ton, New Jersey Notwithstanding the terrific storm
of thunder and lightning and rain which fell upon the
city at the precise time appointed for the meeting the
great space of the Tabernacle filled by numerous
audience The preacher selected for the text of his
remarks, the 9th of I'd CHI of I'd Timothy: But the
word of God not bound" In the opening of the sub
ect he gave description of the Apostle Paul. of his
former character and course and of his situation
when this episte written. Formerly he had
been prosecutor of the church. and had, after
consenting to the death of the martyr Stephen,
engaged in the service of the High Priests to pursue
and prosecute the Christians. He had :" hailed men
and women, and committed them to PRISON. but now
he himself in prison for that very cause which be-
fore he had prosecuted But though he was bound he
emphatcaly declares that So the word of God is not
bound" The preacher then proceeded to point out
and illustrate the lessons to be learned above
state of facts The first idea suggested s that his own
captivity did not put end to his abors exertions
in preaching the gospel He taught in his captivity at
Rome in his hired house. he wrote this and other
ns the churches Wherever thew had been
Another lesson the preacher observed Is to be drawn
from this example, which gives in itself
reproof to us, If imagine when difficulties
and troubles assan us, that we are relieved from
the necessity and dispened from the obligation Of
rying any further our exertions When we cannot
do every thing are too apt to think that need
do nothing and ready to abandon the work There
is observed the preacher more of pride than humility
in this sentiment 1t not thus that Paul thought
and acted Here the preacher adverted to the great
success Of the exploits of in the world who often
achieve the highest deeds under the greatest dscour
agement-in illustration Of which he referred to the
Of the heroes of American independence des
sy supplied snS 'ssT Ss ss
and opponents. great lesson again, to be
learned from thissubject is, not to imagine that
all depends upon personal exertions.-
IT, the preacher Paul. with all his apostolic dig
nifty, had hopes and declared that the Word not
bound" though he was--if he, in such crcum-
stances did not imagine that the Of this word'
depended upon the success of his own exertons and
the effort of his own personal agency, how are we to
think that its depends upon labors and
upon our personal agency and efforts! This example,
therefore, Is enough to shame US out of our reliance
FORE deem that all depends upon ourselves, and in
this spirit be ready to frown upon the efforts Of
neghbors, If they encroachment upon
us. This selfish emulation ought to be banshed from
our breasts. We may, however, deceive ourselves
by saying that we do not put reliance upon our
own personal agency and yet 1t may be that we
trust in our party, our plans, friends,
cety. This is only transfer of the mind from one
idolatry to another and is opposed the faith
which excludes all dependence upon human power
Another lesson of instruction to be drawn from the
text if we fathom it deeper-and that Is that truth
itself is living element which prevails and pervades
everywhere, and Is not fettered or bound by any
chains. nor impedcd in its course eventually by any
ferred to the discoveries and improvements made in
the various arts and sciences-n steam and eectric
limits to truth it is not bound, and it will
burst forth and shine with power and light of which
that it is not to be despsed wherever may be- and in
howsoever small measure Even in the systems and
schemes of infdelity there is often truth but it is
an adaptation Of the truth contained in the Bible,
which, after having borrowed the light from it, they
ect and cast aside All these considerations forbid
to despair THE word is not boundn We need not
tren ke OF
the elements of fire and water, though they may
be absent from one spot they are abundant in
where, and though VIC may not be able to mea
and ascertain its action yet it cannot be denied
on nations, on governments, on arts and sciences
Great have been the influences of Christianity though
they may not have been understood recognised or
who have affected to despsc it, have often been saved
from destruction by its secret pervading principle
and action. 1t is conservative and antiseptic
principle in society. Therefore, may by all
this that the 50 word is not bound" but its in
uence and power extends where little think it does
Therefore let send the preacher In conclusion let
flood the world with the pure and unadulterated word
of God let us saturate the earth with it. and spread it
everywhere abroad Let us dispense it abroad like wa
ter and though like it, some may mix and adulterate
1t with deleerous mixtures, as they do water yet 1t
Is good, and will do good for 1t Is not bound but
will have its course and run prosperousy and be go-
rcd till the knowledge of God shall the earth
the waters the sea-
The preacher having concluded his learned DISCOURSE
then sat down. whereupon the services of the evening
continued by prayer from Of the clergy pre-
sent, collection was made, then singing by hume
choir to the sound Of the loud toned organ after
which the meeting dispersed
of the Foreign Evangelical So
clety.
The anniversary sermon of this society delivered
last night at the Mercer street Church. by the Rev Dr.
Adams, of the Central Presbyterian Church The
ming stormy, but large audience were in atten-
dance the occasion.
fort ha nj niasw no Re-
Dr. Adams rose and announced his text from the I'd
Epstle of st. Paul to the Thesalonans, Sd chapter
LIST and ID verses Finally, brethren pray for that
the word Of the Lord may have free and be go
rifed,' &c, &C
The principal subject of the discourse was upon the
native claims of and progress Of religion. The Eptle
was directed to the people of Thesaonica, that they
might have the prayers Of that people for deiverance
from the strong hold of the enemy of the church of
Christ The English had been peculiarly favored in
the dissemination of the doctrines Of the Gospel from
the that the Bible had been put into their hands
by royal direction and through them and their colo
MES the Bible had been fully distributed than by
any other people Of the world.
In countries where papacy had long had the
supremacy in the royal favor infdcty had successful
ly raised its head and though Napoleon when excom-
municated by the pontifcal order refused the man.
date he summoned to Paris the papal father, and de-
clared his to be King of Rome Thus, for
time was the power weakened; not a soldier left
their barracks but adhered to their Emperor II was
then in that total disregard of the authority of the
Pope, that indety sprung up Not so in the case OF
Gated by the pont. presented himself to that dgni
tary in Rome. to ask forgiveness The recent revolu
ton in France Of the effects Of the infdelity
growing out of the papal power in that country.
There had been answers to prayer but not in such
way had been expected. They had looked for the
turning of the kingdoms to christianity by some pro-
ractcd method and not by the overthrow of
The standard of professionalism would follow the
lutions of the European nations, and the day would
come when France would plant christianity in the
heart Of Africa and the English Bible would be carried
TO every quarter of the world True there were those
in the early days of the reformation who sealed the
faith with their blood, such as Cranmcr and many
Others who would not obey-thc royal mandate in the
denial of faith which they and advocated
They were driven. in many cases from their homes,
because Of their adherence to the faith and the Puri
tans after having sought temporary resting place
the shores Of Scotland, to this country, where
more equal religious liberties were allowed
He spoke of the English Bible in China, and the
Pagan world where the light of professionalism had al
ready began to shine and by the Of that work