New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-08-06
PASTORSHIP OF HALF 4 CENTURY.
DIR. SPRINGS GOLDEN SERMON.

DIR. SPRINGS GOLDEN SERMON.
Yesterday morning the Rev. GARDINER SPRING,
d. D., preached bis fftieth anniversary sermon, he
having been the pastor of the Old Brick Church
NOV the new brick Presbyterian Church On Fifth
avenue and Thirty-ninth street. for half century.
The spacious church was crowded by an immense au-
dience without any discrimination as to sect or denom
nation filing all the seats asles and steps to the
pulpit; while large numbers stood in the porch, eager
TO catch even few Of the words that fell from the lips
of this veDerated and distinguished pastor The Rev.
Chancellor Ferris was seated in the pulpit, aud nu-
merous other clergymen were scattered through the
audience.
The services were commenced with prayer by DR..
Spring. The anthem, " God be merciful to u.s. was
sung, Dr. GUILmETrE leading the choir. Reading of
the Tooth Psalm by the pastor. The choir sang the
a High in the heavens Eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines"
PRAYER was offered by the Rev. Chancellor FERRIS.
DIR. Spring remarked that the Church might recOl-
ect that be was one OF the catechumens OF their
pastor.
After the prayer, the solo "The Lord is my God
be rememberoth his children" was sung. The Doctor
ten rose and announced his text from the Prophecy
of Isaiah Stat chapter, 10th " have put my
word in thy mouth and | have cover1d thee with
the shadow of mine hand that 1 may plant the heay'
ems and lay the foundations of the earth and say unto
Zion IhSC ant my able to ne @ Sp
because from the broad outlines of its evangelical
truth it suggested retrospect of his ministry among
his people. He desired from this to illustrate aud show
that the work Of redemption IL Gods greatest work.
There is graduation in the works Of God, aud the dis
tpetive feature of the work of redemption is
that it rises above the things OF time
and sense, and concerns iteelf with the
immortal. And this work of redemption stands re-
lated to untold millions and great muttudes which no
man can number. 1t began its with the first,
born of time and has been moving on, and will still
move on, accommodating in untold ratio. The second
thought relates to the means By which this work has
been accomplished All creation was under the curse
OF violated law, and how it should be restored was
problem which, so TO speak agated even unsearcha-
BE wisdom and at last the second person of the
blessed Trinity descended to that low estate by which
he was born of a woman and came under the law: 1t
is no wonder that have been found in the world TO
deny this Thus debssed this lncarnae one took upon
himself the mighty aggregate of human sin; that who
soever believeth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life. He foresaw the suffering and the
burden but did not reco from it. This greatest work
was thus accomplished in the most Godike way.
There is nothing in creation that does not derive s
importance from the relation susans TO this work of
REDEEM p,on 1t is reasonable to expect from this that
this redemption will be great in It's triumphs. The
Doctor referred at length the results of this rumph
that its victories would be the less real because
noisle Another illustration of this redemption is that
it SO expressive of the glory of its Author 1t is
ic hosts should sing, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of
hosts; the earth is full of His glory" He looked
this earth the selected theater for this great work Of
redemption and well may we magnify the Christian
ministry who are permitted to be particpators and
workers in this great work of God. Paul magnitied
his ministry and may do it. II has its joys and its
rewards. 1t s ordinary privilege TO be laid under
the necessity of cutyatipg an intimacy with the great
Irincipes of Heavens jurisprudence. 1t is most
delightful work to be student of the Bible and make
oneself acquainted with the true and living God.
There is high honor in other professions especially
when they themselves are honored by the muisraion
of Chris ian men, but there is no service which 30 puts
in re1uisition all mans intellectual and moral powers,
amid he wondrous and rea les that are nsep-
arabic from the manifestation of the glory Of God.
No laurels maintain their freshness like these 20 on
then, We men of God proclaim salvation to dying
men, tell that matter how low they are fallen, there
is vet redemption. Go search out the mysteries OF this
redemption and with every new truth that illustrates
H. let your own hearts respond, GLORY ~ God IN the
highest on earth peace and good will to men," lie
was more than satisfied that he minister of the
Gospel. Since the day he gave himself away in COW
enant never TO be revoked be had desired no higher
station than TO be the servant Of the church for Jesuss
cake. He asked more than TO have the grace TO be
faithful unto death. He thought of life of DEATH and
of eternity and the laures of Caesar were weeds com
pared with the honor of the humbest minister Of the
Gospel. lie considered il great privilege to have
lived in sucb an age and to have occupied place as
worker with God. Times there have been when u
seemed 10 pte that darkness and error threatened
TO put back the shadow on the dial; but these fears
were groundess Onward is the motto Of the upper
sanctuary Even the battlefield have fastened the
advent of the Prince Of Peace. This current century
has pshed more for the circulation OF religious
truth than any former one and for the occupancy
of the talents which God his given to bis church than
any ten prece ding centuries and since the apos
toc age has the spirit of God descended so abundanty
upon Chrislendom. The doctor then proceeded TO
speak me re particularly with reference TO his ~ years
Of ministerial duty, as follows:
It'll now fifty years since first occupied the pulpit
Of the Presbyterian church your Pastor. remem-
Der the scene well. Some five or six of You may have
been in that crowded assembly Of those, the most OF
whom now sleep in the duet when | bowed my
knees before God the Father OF Jesus Christ and
received this great trust by the laying on OF the haads
Of the Presbytery. To me it was solemn day, and
associated with solemn responsibilities Within those
bygone years two generations have passed away. We
remember them very many Of their names, their char
seter, their influence, is felt and known among the
learned professions, in the Church, amid academic
nohors, and the msrts Of busness IN private aud IN
Ruohc life; but the places that once knew Them know
mem no more. Not one male member OF what once
cohsuiuted the Old Brick Church remains in the
nlot' oi us. ! cannot be too thankful that COM
mtncc1 ministry under thu dean iunreas0n that /