New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-16
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY-OLD
SCHOOL,

| PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY-OLD
| SCHOOL.
The Rev. DR.. Phillpss Church was crowded through.
out at the opening of the meeting of the Assembly.
The Rev. j. Rice, ID. D., the moderator Of the last
meeting, delivered the annual sermon, from Tim :,
w. and 2. As Introductory three propositions were
laid down. namely: First All true religion consists in
ODE dence to Gods revealed truth. II in proportion
TO the harmony between this truth and the mental
and actions that sanctfeaton ordinarily Progresses
Second The principal ordained by God for the
propagation Of his truth is preaching, for faith
BY cect gift, and best under the voice OF the living
minister. Third. The preaching Of the word i work
ofgreat re sponsbility and difficulty IL shown by the
soiemnity of Paurs admoni'ions in this particular.
1t deals with the most solemn and weigby Of all sub
iects which can be submitted to human cons ieraton.
The preaching of the Word OF God Is the subject8of
this discourse and is naturally TO be considered in
two respects vz as to the matter and the vi
IT, Respecting the subject matter of preaching little
need be said. The inspired Word is Contained
in the Old and New Testaments. The faithful min
ister must preach all Of this, and more. Ii
is the second of these two respectsthat Is the manner
of preaching-which is especially the present theme
Although the effects of ministerial teaching depend
upon the agency OF the Holy Spirit, yet as Il comes
through human channel, apness to teach Is an ndis-
pensabie requisite in minister. Indeed, no other
power or attainment will ,eeve the minister from the
responsibility of attainment in this particular INST
general proposition is that preaching should be exc
getca rather than philosophical lndeed, this Is i'm
Sl;ed in the very idea of preockiag-and Is likewise
proved by the custom of Christ and the inspired
speakers An important question IN TINS connecuon
is the relation of the sciences especially the science OF
mind to the Gospel, and the extent to which the
preacher NAV permit himself to be influenced by them
BY pagan PHILOSOPHERS early Christianity was much
vitiated. Pantheism has done much evil IN the Ear-
pean churches, and some among our own. II 10 diin-
cult exactly to define this relation. But Y may De
stated that, First Between the word and the works
of God there is always perfect harmony; and what
I'm lnunh n a
cons equence of error in Interpretation. Second.
Nature and revelation are to be studied IN the
same manner; that is, as philosopher receives
a fact in nature, not refusing It therefor II
he does not undertand it, SO the Scripture
scholar should deal with scrptura truths net troubling
himself with " mysteries" the existence OF which is
not strange since here We are beginning to learn what
il to &C, upy us for whole eternity. 1H1d Some
truths appear dmy in of these books, and clearly
in the other Each of them is supreme in it's own de-
partment. Then, Joshuas causing the sun and moon
TO stand STILL must be explained in accordance with
the laws OF nature while the question whetssr men
scended from pair many, being fundamental as
religious truths must be understood as revealed.
Again Of the two questions, TOW to heal the body and
the soul the former is be answered under the laws
of nature, the latter under those Of Revelation.
This il tue, also, in regard to mental science,
respecting which, from its close relations to re-
religious truth, there have been moro dan.
geious errors than in aoy other department Of
Paning. Metaphysics are Therefore, always erroneous
when they differ or difficulty barmonize with the PLAN
declarations OF the Bible. 1t Is fortunate thatthe Bible
contains its own mental philosophy. Ii recognizes
those great fundamental facts Of humsn nature which
are universally allowed except by Inconsistent pre-
JUDGED meaphy scians. The first great cOnquests Of
the Bible indeed, were won when there was exfant no
philosophy; and such, again, was the case q. the
moreover which s most useful in the exercise OF min
isteria duties is learned not from books but nom ex
permenta intercourse with that nature. Menth SCI
H.. cd 4
Chalmers defined it, it is valuable, not furnishing
any new metaphysical theory but as bringng the
mind back to the old common-sense methods A Sec
opd general proposition is that faithful and sue
cessful preaching requires the human reason to be
kept within its proper and Legitimate limits. Free and
bold rea soIDg is well, but only within it own prov
nce. Human reason has originated the penicious
sects The right offices Of human reason respecting
religion are, to decide to the inspiration Of the BIZ
bic on the evidence; to decide what the Bible says,
and then receiving implicitly what is said in IT, to up
hold it by controyerting It's opponents by argument
Third: Gods word should be preached literally, by the
use of abundant quotations fromit This was the custom
of Christ and the Apostles with the Old Testament, o.
though they could have used miracles to prove their
doctrines This practice is preservation from error
the preacher surety of advantage over erroIistsi
it fills the mind Of the hearers with Bib.
lical natter and moreover, it was the prectlce Of
Baxter, Owen, and the powerful dvlnes o. thsr ume
ence 70 error prevailing whereit is preached. Fym
should be preached synmetricaly. 1t Is whole sys-
tem complete and beautiful, and embracing the two
departments of practical and doctlnel preachfg ana
consisting of various truths Of different degrees@
importance, grouped around the Cross OF Christ az
center, it should be displayed in such inanner HE
error Of presenting roctrne too prominently tends
to fansticsm. SsTth, The Word Of God should %
preached with deep and tender eaInes;ness. lbs
quality will stimulate the preacher to proper study;
will insure him natural, simple and effective denve,
ny; will save him from the disagreeable "hoiy tone:
ala. Gnan hs.p hQA
tie expectation of successful results Whether tneSe
results TO be speedy or slow In coming
circumstances must decide; but is both the r9ht and
duty Of the preacher to expect them With certainty
He ia using Gods own means for Gods own porposesi
ard success must follow. Further: His success de-
ponds in great measure upon his expect ston Of II;
rince that expectation if feryent aud sure WA impart
strength humility, prayeralness, crcumspeotioo, im-
pressveness. few concluding applications are sug-
gested. First: That the more purely the Gospe. is
preached the greater is its power over the minds OF
able to the ministry, siI can always speak mest
truly and powerfully Of what they have themselves e
and seen. Third. The ministerial work Is one for me
entire energies and entire life Of man. The vast ana
weiebty interest Of his work infinitely beyond ns
ability whatever that may be; be ID not 70 look f9f
fortune for fame for easei but only 70 the spend
ing Of his life in his labor unless disease or DEAN
b,irgs him respite. FSurthty: A great responnomy
Likewise rests upon those who hear the preaching
he Gospel. They will give account at the ~ eay
for 81 tEey have heard And the preacher coIeiaasi
Will short ard direct penonal appeal to bis sa"'-
cree. II
a portion of the audiepce, after singing benedlc,
ton, now dispersed AMI De RICE called the Geneis'
Assembly together for he transaction OF bas.neT'
which was commenced by the Rev. DIR. hssiL.,
Permanent Clerk, who called the roll OF eonsu''e"'
bodies aud their representatives, present. ~,
A select Committee of three, the Rev. Ut. zen
kiAs, Dir. Herdicks and Judge FineJ vas appolss,..
on imperfect commissions. " bile this Coama'ee ~
iu session. various upimportant items Were ssssasi
:. IL. di.suzaiOD IL WAS DoNys