New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-03-15
SERMON BY THE REV. DIR. CHEEvER.

SERMON BY THE REV. DIR. CHEEVER.
Previous TO HE sermon yesterday morning the Rev.
Dr. CHrEvER tool occasion to remind his people of the
fact that evening services would be continued in that
place during this week He said that, occupying the
position which they did as church, heavy responi-
bily rested upon them at this time Of spiritual re-
freshing when the Lord manifesting Himself in
very especial manner to the world. He hoped that
although the extra services Of the week were designed
in some measure for strangers the church and congre
cation would deem il their duty to be present.
The sermon was from ii. Chronicles, xiv, IL.
And Asa cried unto Lord his God aud sid Lord Z IS
S.ys no help u. Lord our God for
and In thy against this multitude LORD thou s
our God let not man prevail against thee"
There was scarcely TO be found another passage IN
the Holy Scriptures which expressed in more strk-
ing manner the temper Of mind and heart with which
the people of God ought to engage in His service Asa
was great king and great religious refcrmer in his
Kingdom. He did pesry a. much in that way as
Hezekiah did at later period. He abolished all idol
airy, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of
their fathers, and TO do the law and the command.
ment. And he had no in those Yeas because the
Lord had given him rest; and he and his people
built on and prospered, and his kingdom grew rap
idly great and strong IN the duties Of pety and the
arts Of peace. About this time there came to battle
against him the King of the E,hiopisns, with host
Of ten hundred Thousand warriors. And Asa went
out against him with an army but little more than
half their number. SO they set the bhtle IN array;
and the Ethiopans, having the choice of their posi-
tiop with such an Immense superiority Of forces
had occupied the ground III such manner
as 10 threaten the entire destruction OF the
army of Judah Nevertheless, Asa did not de-
cline the combat and the armies were about TO close
when in front Of their array Asa proclaimed aloud his
sole dependence upon God, and soemnly lifted up hs
voice in prayer contained in the text. The result
was a mighty victory The prayer OF the k'ng was
heard, and his faith was not disappointed, for the
" Lord smCte the Ethiopians before Asa and before
Judah, and the E!hopians fed" After this they
had TEST security revvals of religion IN the land and
there was no more war even TO the five-andhrtieth
year II the reign OF ASS. This King Asa was Yer
liable Christian here. The manner of his engage
ment with the enemy light remind one strongly OF III
great battle Of Dunbar, fought by Cromwell agarrs
similar disparity OF forces, when the enemys wor
was l ne Covenant and CIomwells The Lord
llosts and when this remarkab bic man seemed to en-
gage In the conflict with much the same spirit OF en-
tire dependence upon God as that which the
heart oil Asa, and secured to him the victory. There
was great difference IN depending upon coyensut
any organization, form possession that is of man
and depending upon the Lord of Hosts
l. The simple truth that with the Lord il ia nothing
10 help, whether with many or with them that have
no powers.
A sense Of this truth is of the first element. in
Christian heroism. 1t is not bare speculative assent
TO tie Divine Omnpotence, or belief in it, The very
arm les tndt against uOu by the word
of BIS power. With the breath OF his nostrils He
could sweep his enemies to anbihilation IN raone at
lie could destroy Satan and all the angels that Toll
with him from Heaven, and all beings that have ever
,ebeled in the universe, and make them in lnomea,
as il they had never been. But this would not be
e. nsistent with his character as moral governor of
tic universe He causes the wrath OF man 10 praise
Him. and restrains the remainder OF wrath. Tne inf
mite wisdom displayed in restraining the malice OF his
en-. mics, and everything their rebe!hous de-gns for
The promotion Of his glory, will be productive of far
noe hspptess TO the universe than could ever arse
from tie display Of bis mere 0mL PoteDce 10 their de-