The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-06
Religious Services mt the Academy OF Music.
skHAak W

Religious Services mt the Academy OF Music.
SERMON ny REV. GEO. W. BErAUSE.
Notwithstanding the unpleasant weather hundreds Of
persons compelled TO leave the Academy Of Music
last evening because they could not get room inside
either 10 sit down or stand up. The occasion
OF tbs press sermon by the Rev. DR.. Bethune
In the Introductory services hymn sung,
ing thus
SHOW pity, Iord--0 Lord forgive,
Let repeating rebel live
Are not thy mcrcies large and frecS
May not sinner trust III theey
Should sudden vengeance seize my breath,
must pronounce thee just in death;
And II my soul were sont to TO hell,
Iht righteous law approves II well.
The text
'sDo thy self no harm. Acts I6, 2S
Such was the cry Of Paul to the jailor at Philippe.
few hours before he and his companion Sas had
dragged before tho magistrate booted at by the mob,
heavily scourged and prison for the cole of
doing good The Jaor received the sacred charge Of
keeping him safely and he liked tho office well that no
thrust them into the inner prison and put their feet
stocks For awhile, perhaps they sunk under their pain
The Jaior sep, till midnight. when strange sounds
heard echong through the dreary passages they
from the cell Of tho Christiansno OF anguish
their wounds etiened the chill airnot the revelry of
reckless hardhood the shouts OF proud deancebut
the solemn voice Of earnest prayerthe sweet, exunt
swell OF noiy praise. Fearless, yet humble, they
ready all that their Master might send sure Of
victory at last and eternal rest They prayed them
seves 10 God, the refuge OF his people every time OF
trouble, and they committed themselves that
Judgeth rghteosy Knowing that he would do that which
was best for them But they had learned another prayer
from him who died for them upon the cross they prayed
for their Prosecutors they asked blessings upon those
who cursed hem and mercy for those who showed them
none They prayed even for that wretch-the jailor-
who had treated them cruelty enreatng that he might
be altogether such az they were, excepting their bonds
They gave praise Tor the of Jesus; for hts giving
them the fellowship Of the spirit for the sympathy they
knew he had in their trials the that were
afforded them oy the word Of Cod for the great and
promises gwen them to perseverc unto the end
the glory which should follow. They prayed and sung
praises 10 God, and God heard them. 1t bold avow-
al of what Christianity 10 for those trust its
Doctrines II was lit preface FOR what God gong 10
do on their behalf. Suddenly there great earth
quake. How weak those two Christians seemed but lit
tie while before, when they dragged along by the
down their stricken backs But how stroag are
they now. through their aance-through the alliance
with him who, because he the Lord Of justice Is also
the Lord OF providence. The massive foundations
deep with iaporious Skill shaken the walls parted,
the doors burst open, and their chains fell Off God
had opened way for them to The jailor
out Of his Sleep and seeing the doors open thought the
self, when cried him, ADO myself harm
we are all here II was the Christians voice that thus
cried outthc dsgraced the scourged the booted Chris
tian who, but a moment before the jaior had made
fasi the stocks The jaior called for light and rush
into the inner prison. fell at the feet of the apostle and
cried out "What shall do TO be saved p Paul preached
the word OF life unto him. and he, with his whole house
hold received il unto salvation and they all rejoced to
gether.
The reverend doctor went length devcope the
Chr stian character and exhort the audience there
unto.