The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-04

Of all Of them is periehed, except Of those who
were connected with Abraham In his battles.
There were millions of land owners, but the name
being connected with Abraham, to whom ne sold
a parcel Of ground for an inheritance. Who has
rot heard of Eleazer, his stewards he, by his con-
nscton with Abraham, enjoys celebrity after which
kings and great men IN all ages have abored Ia VAIN
Ii here are any here who beast OF being wealthy as
Abraham, who Was a rich. powerful, and wealthy
men, YET that was not all he was man OF Won
derful bravery and courage, This he showed
when, with his household alone, he ventured TO
attack whole army of kings. We cannot but see
IN Abraham wonderfully gifted man. He was
the first who believed; he was the confident OF
God, from whom God would not conceal any hing
Moses was the servant OF God, DAVID was the
sweet psalmist of Israel, Elijah was the avenger OF
Sod; but Abraham has the highest distinction
oil all he was the TREAD OF God Now, thus was
the man who said he Was commanded by God
20 lake his ron and offer him up as d sacrihce
This was act opposed 10 his creed, which was
mercy. II was opposed 10 his character, which
WIS Kindness. Ii was opposed 10 The tenor OF hts
lfr, which was that of sedate. serious aud wise
man. Therefore, when We consider his character
and when he saws God told HIM 10 do 1t, there can
be no doubt about it. Some may say, as man,
he likely TO err-he might have been Hloao-
maniac this particular SUBJECT Bat God had
told HIM other things, and he believed. He told
him, one hundred wears before, thaihe shouldhave
his son Isaac. He told him TO send forth Ishn4e,
and that he should not be bis heir. HIS life was
and his commands, which he obeyed. His life
was entirely, one piece, and that makes the
distinction between hn and a mia wA0 should
gay he same thing IN the present day.
In the next place, why is this great event recorded
in Scripture, since It led 10 nothing? II IS 10 teach
us, one great and important iruh VIZ, that there's
no religion without sacrifice. That uorss we are
ready 10 sacrifice interest and our appe tltea to
OR duty, aad give mp all our lncnatous 10 God
and his law, To the utmost extent we NAV be re-
CURED, all our religion Is OF no avail We may
build synagogues, we may be very religious, but
IT we suffer pride revenge or ambition, or
any Of our lncliDatioDs interests, TO stand be-
tween and the law of God, our religion is of no
avail. This great lesson, therefore, is here gwen
us to incucate this truth, and 10 teach all OF us
thar The only real test Of being sincerely re-
glous is sal rice--lhe being willing to give up all
our incnatlons, passions, end opinions, for the
sake OF truth. IL also teaches US that when we
make this sacrifice, we shall come to no harm by
dong 1t, but God, who Is boundless In mercy, I'M
Hmitd IN power, and perfect in justice, has
pledged himself TO preserve us, and viii do it, ii
not he 2, YET III eternity.
Again, the third point OF inquiry is, What prac-
tcal lesson do we derive from this history And
here will address my self TO the two young per-
fons who have this day entered into the commit
nifty Of Israel. God speaks audibly TO you, as he
did 10 Abraham. You have thus day entered into
solemn engagements and promises to continue,
throughout your lives, IN the law Of God You
believe the law of God to be true. Then what
awful mockrIy Of God # you live as if there was
no God, and no law of God proving, by your con-
duet that the law Is not true, but false-that ii Is
chnnefa.
The preacher, then, after giving solemn warn
ing and admonlton to the young 10 resist tempta-
ton, not 10 listen to those who would persuade
them TO fix their hopes and desires upon mammon,
and urging them to obey God and his law, and
geek his grace to guide and support them, con-
cuded by prom ouncing a blessing upon the assem-
bed congregation, addlng-Amen.