Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-06-21

hear but have only heard of 1t, the discourse is
thus cheerfnlly presented to larger audience
than the first to whom it was spoken.1
Chri,rianity n Free Word.
A Sermon delicered IN the UniUeysalist- Church
~ RorceSter Sunday Morning. June Is, 1856.
By j. q. ADAMS, Pastor.
TEXT" That the word of God NAV have free
course and be glorihed" l Thess 8 l.
The distinguished Christian ambassador who
wrote these words, was Just closing an epistle
winch ne was to send from Athens to the faithful
IN Christ Jesus, who were at Thessalonica.
lie had been giving them good counsel as to their
course IN view of the demands of the new cause
which they had espoused. He had directed
them to keep their eyes open to the levestions
OF tie times, as these were connected with the
progress of their faith and to be ready to avail
themselves OF every opportunity to honor and
promote this faith Finally brethren pray for
us, that the word OF God may have free course
and be glorifed''
The text suggests, as topic for our considera.
ton, The Coarse and Triumph Of the Word q
the Gospel
l. 1t was a free word; free in its nature in
Its utterance, in its work with man 1t is for this
reason that the Apostle desires it to have q free
course in its ministraticns He who came as
the embodiment of this word-as its fulness and
power-gave most striking and irresistible evil
denees of its freeness. 1t was a dispensation
from God, to every man created in Gods image
and needing the direction of his wisdom and the
benedictions of his love. No sooner began the
mission OF this new Reformer, in its first
dawnlngs, than the freedom of this great word
he had in him manifested itself We hear of him
IN the temple, sitting in the midst of the doc
tors, both hearing them and asking them ques.
tons. And all that heard him were astonishei
at his understanding and answers " There is
something remarkable i'll this simple narrative of
that interview. These doctors held many errors.
Jesus was the representative of the God of all,
truth. Yet this truth he had to communicate
asked investigation of its merits. 1t could
hear other mems opinions in nandOr, sincerity
dignity. and confidence 1t could ask questions,
under direction OF the same virtues. 1t came to
this end to question all opinions, observances,
institutions OF the world, whatever they might
be, however strong, imposing, venerated-what-
ever their assumptions. Free HouQh and free
speech, are born Of him, and aoM find an him
Their strength and greatness e0e1m0re. Though
he respected the grave elders in the temple-re-
spected all men, whether they pre- tended to be
teachers OF wisdom, or receivers of it from others;
he respected them most for the nature they bore,
and in reference to truths claims upon them He
had no respect tGr their errors their vain tradi-
tons, their empty formalities, their unreason.
able views oil God, and conceptions of human
duty. lie came to make an exposure of all
these, no matter what the abettors of them might
say came to remove the false coverings LAYING
over them, and let in the light of Gods day upon
their hiding places.
We never hear from him the ntimation of an
evil, wrong, habit, or observance OF human
society too formidable, delicate, or peculiar"
to be sought out, searched, questioned, sifted,
analysed, proved, by his word. No more delicate
questions than those involved in the religious
institutions of the people among whom his mis-.
sion began, could be named No greater opposi-
ton could have been awakened against any teach.
er for the fidelity of his speech, than that which
he was called to encounter. Yet he Stunned no
duty, omitted no word he should have spoken,
finished" his divine utterances with man, and
lett them to echo down through all generations
to be caught up and repeated by new hearers and
deyotees to his cause, till the redemption of the
world was completed Go and preach my word
into all the world-unto every creature were
his last directions to the apostolic company
Freely ye have received,-freely give. AS ye
go, preach; preach the kingdom all its intent;
all its divine meaning preach in all its applica-
tons to human error, transgression, waywardness,
corruption. And 10 am with you alwaysr'
He who has furnished US our text, had all con-
fdence in the nature and work of this Christian
word. When from his Imprisonment in Rome he
wrote to Timothy of his suferngs for the gos-
pel's sake, he rejoices that "the word of Cod
that holy word given him to declare to man-s'is
not bound" Though he was in bonds-hindered
from bearing witness, he most desired, to the
coming and work of that kingdom which was
yet to reign over all-he had fullest hope and
faith in the great Word ITSELF That was out in
the world and would not fail TO do its work thore.
pie, confronted human opposition the most AFRO
giant and threatening; had said to earthly author
iries who forbade its free EXPIRE sson, " Whether
it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto
men more than unto God, judge ye. For we
cannot but speak the things which we have seen
and heard. We must obey God rather than
man."
The effect of this Christian Word on human
souls was, to give them confidence in Divine
Truth, and freedom in the expression of it. You
find no more resolute, dauntless, and free adyo-
Gates OF any religion, than those early defenders
OF the faith of the gospel. The fear of man that
bringeth snare, had no dominion over them
They had all confidence in the nature in the aims
and ends OF the great mission of their Master
That stood first in their affection to that early
and late, the dev0tions of their hearts wer given
Persecution, abuse, opprobrium-eyery thing they
must encounter, could be borne for this excel
lency of the knowledge OF Christ Jesus the Lord"
This was the nature of their devotion; and in
such devotion the light and instruction of their
discipleship are seen; a dscpleship as good for
our day as it was for theirs 1t is ''free spirit"
that of Christian truth. 1t makes men large of
mind, gives them amplitude of vision, clearness
of moral perception, deepest spiritual convictions
truest courage to meet the opposition of the evil
world. Talk about freemen Why, our world
has had but few such in it, ever Ithas but few
comparatively, now-few such as the New Tes-
lament describes-such as the free word and free
spirit of the gospel of Jesus can give in every age
and cline "1e shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free. If therefore, the Son
shall make you free, yeShaHde free indeed"
2 This word was aggressive against wrong II
came to do something; to deal with errors wrongs
abuses of Gods right and Of mans good that
were in its way. Though peaceable in its nature,
it Occasioned strife. Because the word. often
however mildly and judiciously spoken, was so
repugnant to the prejudces Of the hearer that il
awakened rage, and drew out violence even.
against this Prince of Peace Divisions came in
consequence of his plain statements and enforce.
ment OF that truth which would give to men the
only sure, the only saving and abiding union they
can ever know-"the unity of the spirit in the
bond of peace" That unity the world was not
seeking, did not then ask for,-did not care to
realize. These calm words are winged with FIRE;
they are inhammabe; they spread conhapra-
tons everywhere abroad. Their expressive utter
ance is as "the hammer that breaketh the hinty
rock in pieces"
This word is manifestation of wisdom and
power And this makes it aggressive. 1t assails
all wrong; calls evil by its true name ; unmasks
hypocrisy; rebukes sin in high as well as low
places deals with evil near at hand and not in
words of wasted warmth on the delinquencies of
mortals in other times. 1t has a mission for the
present, to every man, every association of men,
every combination Of human society. 1t SAYS 10
them, Break off your sins by righteousness, and
your iniqutles by turs ing to God" all your sins
eacn particular sin. THIS particular one. naming
it; that, the other. No matter who allows il. or
how strongly it may have become entrenehed be-
hind the sanctions OF human society. If il he
wrong, then think of it, speak OF it, act respect
ing it as though 1t were wrong. If il be an organ
lied wrong, SO much the worse The exposure
may occasion more oommotion, and the wrong
for time may seem by its violence to wax
stronger yet it is to be remembered that although
the multitude plosp thair