The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-12

yuesdale, of Washington City, confirmed him In his
resolution 70 cast himself at Jesus feet; and since
then he has been ordained to the work Of the minis
try; aud IL now the pastor Of the Bedford BAPTIST
| church in Westchester county. He concluded very
eloquently, urging women to nee their influence IN
bringing sinners to Christ for be was brougnt DacA
by their angel voices and If they 80 work On earn,
they will be rewarded with the brightest Jewes IN
| heaven hereafter.
THE REV. CHARLES H. wKEKs AT rm FIFTH AVENUE
BAPTIST CHURCH.
| A sermon was preached in the Fifth avenue Bap-
fist church, corner of Thrtyffth street, yesterday
morning by Charles ii. Weeks, an actor, who was
converted during the recent religious revival. The
| attendance was very meagre, there not being more
than forty persons present. There was no minister
present, and Mr.. Weeks conducted the services
alone. The exercises opened with the singing Of
the 2lsth Hymn, after which Mr. Weeks read the
first chapter Of the Second Epistle of Peter.
Mr.. Weeks is Q man Of about twentyeight years
of age, Of low stature, AOrid complexion and very
impressive delivery. However, both in his reading
the Scriptures and his preaching, the theatrical
tone" can he easily discerned. He modulates his
voice, sometimes lowering it to q deep bass. His
gesticulation is good and he possesses perfect
knwledge of elocution.
TIayer having Deen OHereQ up,
Mr.. WEKKs preached heightened sermon, taking
his text from the First Epistle of Peter second
chapter and seventh verse:-"Unto you therefore
which believe he is precious" He commenced by
saying that there was in all things earthly great
satisfaction might say an exquisite pleasure, an
and battling with poverty locks forward TO
brighter future with hope, and he is the
more happy in that hope The invalid hopes
the return of health that he may again wan
he m hare IF
heaven or bask in the glorious sunshine. rne fond
mother raises her child IN the ways OF truth hoping
that the spirit, after it has budded into manhood
may protect it in after years; while the merchant
prince sends forth his countless thou ands upon the
bottomless Deep hoping a safe return. Thus to
hope Is TO have faith and believe that hopes
shall become realities. The words of the text are
are: Unto you, therefore, who believe he is pre-
cious." The presence or being here referred TO is
Christ. Is not that heavenly promise!-Jesus pre-
cious to us. The Son of God, exalted and seated
the fathers throne precious to sinful men: and that
is the sinners hope to those who believe in Jesus
They should first ask themselves n they had any
claim or reason to expect that Jesus would make
such promise. Man was created pure and holy
no care, nor suffering; surrounded by every luxury
all that the heart could yearn for and only one COM
mand to obey, for the Lord God commanded that
man might eat of every tree Of the garden but the
tree Of knowledge" Thou shalt not eat of it, for
the day thou dost thou shalt de- But this COM
msnd was broken and man became q sinful creature.
But in this condition that heavenly parent formed
plan OF redemption by sending his Son--that blessed
Jesus-and giving him up TO life of suffering and
death. Day by day be wandered over the world,
his footsteps followed by the voices of grateful thou
sands. The sick, the lame and the blind, the afflicted
OF every grade had felt that Jesus was precious
to them, and thousands Of hearts shouted their
Hosanna until the very air; resounded with the
praises of our God. But TO who are these words of
the text addressed to? To all that believe; not
only those who have lived in other ages, but ali who
naxx l.ella f.nA- oil xxbf, had faith
said, be touched the eye, 4" To that faith be it
unto thee" aud he received his light; and 10 the
woman who touched his garment, Daughter, !be of
good cheer thy faith hath made thee whole" Those
who believed in Jesus, to them He was precious;
and he (Mr. W. would now inquire to whom the
Lord was now precious. Look at that strong man
See how the breast heaves; the frame quivers; the
eyes are red with weeping; despair Is pictured on
his face his very breath seems torn in agony; and,
II you listen, you may hear the groan or groans
which seem 70 rend the heart-to tear the very soul
What Is the cause Of all this sorrowr IL he suffer
ing from the sickening fever or from bodily pangs?
how pale he Is! How haggard Is that brow No
trace of wasting disease is visible there; but, oh
to gaze on that agony, to witness that struggle
scene, seems TO wiring the tears from all eyes. Per
haps he has lost friend-perhaps q father brother
or slster-perhaps the partner of his bosom has
gone to her last resting place-or perhaps q
mother; she whose gentle face first taught his in
watched over his infancy, his youth, his budding
manhood-she who taught his mind to grasp the
beauty of the skies pointing up to the stars her final
resting place, as II he longed to that mothers
face leaning on him from her celestial home. No,
that cannot be the Listen TO him he speaks:-
"God help me, wherever / turn | see nothing but
despair "a dismal, yawning gulf is before me. Il
there no hopper Yes. Jesus, the Saviour, stands on
the very verge, reaching forth hls hands TO save
h6-asking him does he believe; and, in ecstacy, he
cries, IL believe in Cod" and then he exclaims
"Jesus-Je-us is precious" The preacher then pro-
cceded TO expatiate upon the sinfulness OF this
world-the folhes Of fashion, ana the uncertainty Of
happiness which follows the accumulation of riches.
He pictured the blessing to be derived from life of
pieiy, and impressed upon the congregation the ne
cessy Of immediate reformation from the sins of
this world. At the conclusion of the sermon Mr..
Weeks announced the Rev. Mr.. Corey would preach
mex, Sunday when a statement would be submitted
~ the congregation detailing the future government
OF Filth avenue Baptist church.
Mr.. Weeks also preached in the evening to a more
numerous congregation.