The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-03-05

to be held In tine basement of The metropolitan Hail.
night and urge upon them the necessity of prompt
attendance as nominations are to be made for Of
icers and a board of managers for the ensuing
year. Every mechanic should be present to aid In
securing the best NAH for each Office, to
the future prosperity OF the order. The journey
men, in particular, should turn out in their strength
on the. occasion.
THE FOURTH LECTURE BEFORE THE
| YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN AssocIATroN.-This lee.
| tn delivered at ST James Church, on Friday
evening, by Rev DR.. Howell; the audience was a
good one, embracing number of the clergy of the
citg, not a few ladies, and good attendance of
young men
The devotional exercises previous to the lee
ture, were conducted in an appropriate manner by
Rev Leroy NJ Lee.
Dr. Howell then rose and said The Young
| Mems Christian Association of Richmond, which
have the pleasure to address, presents 10 Its nature
an example OF the Conservatism of Christianity
Conservatism, you aware, Is a word OF modern
Introduction. ! use 1t because no other word so
fully conveys the meaning which wish to express.
| When applied to Christianity 1t describes that
spirit (Which is indeed the pervading spirit of
Christianity that seeks to make men pure, benev-
olent and noble-the spirit that would save all
men, bless them in this world and exalt them to
perfect happiness In that which is to come.
| To several aspects in which this Conservatism
is developed in your association you are solicited
to allow me the present occasion to direct your
attention
| 1t might be objected, he said that such dis
course would partake too much of the nature of a
| sermon, but In answer to this he would plead the
character of the Association and his own. stand
before you minister of the gospel and shall not
magnify mine officer We occupy the sanctuary
| sacred to Christian instruction; and to whom do
speak3 to the Young Mems Christian Association.
What theme then more appropriated
| We meet and mipge as Christians, not MEM
beers OF different denominations, but lovers ofthe
Redeemer, to sit together at his feet The true gs-
MUS ofChristianity was embodied la the procama-
| ton made at the Saviour's birth at Bethlehem
| "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace
good will towards men,"
In your statement of your principles and objects
| to the public, you assert as doctrines composing
your common platform, the "divine authority of the
Bible, the Deity, humanity and atonement of the
Saviour, the mystery of the Trinity and the duty of
| the Christian to work" You avow the great sys
| tenn which was taught and recorded by our Saviour
and His Apostles.
For all the blessings Of this system, we are in
dehted to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost
The Father 50 loved the world as to give his only
begotten Son-the Son with a love no less intense
though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor
Thus did Messiah abolish DEATH and bring life and
Immortality to light He made infinite satisfaction
| to divine justice. To make his work effectual the
Holy Spirit is necessary aye must be born again
The process by which the love of the Father and
the atonement ofthe Son become effectual to mans
salvation, is described by inspiration ITSELF as was
shown by appropriate quotations If the Father
gives the Son, and the Son makes atonement the
spirit imparts sancthcation to the soul to make it
meet to be q partaker of the inheritance of the
Saints In light. =
By the power of the Holy Ghost, he continued,
| the Gospel Is made known effectualIy to the mind
and heart. An entire revolution occurs in the soul
there is passing from darkness TO light from the
power OF Satan to God, and preparation of the
man for the love of God, supreme and his neigh
Dor as himself, which was the original law of his
being. Can there be any doubt that he who is thus
saQCtlfpU. will rocoanizp his dfJfu md
how much is to be doneg There Is a disposition
implanted In the heart by the Spirits power that
will not shrink. As to the manner of the work the
Word of God gives this general direction: "Iet
your light SO shine before men that they may see
your good works. and gloriiy your Father who lie in
Heaven" have thus sketched the Cardinal prin-
ciples of our common Christianity avowed by
your association. To my mind they are transcen-
dainty beautiful. They would impart to man an ex
allied nature, and pure and benevolent purpOses
This very fact individually proves the divinity of
the Christian system. 1t seeks to make every man
| In holiness, beneicence and love, like Christ IL
brightens every path which its Influence is al
lowed to tall. II fills the heart of the pilgrim with
cheefluiness ana courage and presents him at last
to God without spot or blemish to be crowned with
glory, and honor, and immortality
| One aspect of this system as developed in vour
Association, and TO which would invite YOUR at
ention,is the love with which 1t binds all OF all de-
nominations 10 one. Religion is love- because born
OF God, who Is love, and he that abideth In love
any Sect Ii the question Is asked, he continued
why there are then so many religious sects, he
would answer by referring to the different secfs In
phiosopay ana the various parties In politics Men
are olnerenly constituted and differently trained
Various individual circumstances influence the
formation OF sentiments of belief Each one is emit.
tied 70 mis- own views, and in our country by the
blessing OF GOD, none can hinder him from the en-.
joymert OF them. 90
Yet these diversties of opinion give rise 10 acer
htles. but sach acerbities should be suppressed.
and suppressed at once. If nourished they soon
terceurse of Christians 10 PRAYER and nrajse and
works OF benevolence is the most effective method
for the eradication of all unfrieudlv FEELINGS Rv
minglng we soon discover that in all importan.
matters we are much nearer than we had snnno
sed. The truly enlightened Christian loves ali his
fellow Christians, and loves them the more the
more he associates with them. If called to defend
bis peculiar doctrines the law of kindness ia still on
MS lips ana ne scorns to serve his purpose by any
violation OF the pure and gentle precerts of the
common creed. You also say, "The loving ma
ture OF the Christian sometimes feels an impulse to
pass the boundary of his own denomination and to
mlngie with congenial spirits In other folds" Shall
we not asaoays feel such an impulee1 ! rejoice In
fnls medium In our midst through which we may
exercise this Flowing nature
HeIe we all stand on the same grounds no differences
plaudsd. All meet on the broad platform Of chr,s
nan love- We have too long been kept asunder.
For my own part am sick of all that is called rsli-
universal love to man. Love Ia the Alpha and One
gaoi christianity 1t originates in love. is exempi
ned BY love. works by love and terminates In love
Ihanks be unto God for this unspeakable gift this
religion Of love.
Another aspect In which the conservatism OF chris
tianty is developed In your association 10 the sec-
tinnate concern which 1t eroins for the welfare of
othersthe friendly influence that dessends like the
dew Of heaven upon the path Of our brother bless.
Ing him who receives and him who gives.
ITO bring ycung mon under religious and moral
inauenees.n "to promote Evangelical religion and
cultivate Christian sympathy" $50 sock and save
such as have trst come among us" Never were
designs more noble more patriotic. more christian.
How admirable Ia every respect Who can look
upon young men without INTEREST," They must soon
give tone to society. They to DO the glory and
defence Of our country, they are TO be our ssisa.
tors and lawyers our clersymen and church officers
our men Of basness In every department Into their
hands We to resiea all that l. sacred In insti
tntioDs and eli that we hold dear in society He
needed NOT. no said. 70 speak of the Importance
which the old philosophers attached to the training
9th the young He cited the csss Of Solomon for
mem, a. eyineed by bis Numerous instructions to
Ihem, and quoted from 81, John ~ write unto you
yoahs men because ye are strong" 70 labor
siens 70 overcome difficulties and embark In enter.
paSs' ne alluded toths dangers that snviron young