New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-07
THE ANNIVERSA RIES.
NEw-YoRK BIBLE SOCIETY.
sERMoN nv THE REV. THOMAS S. mAsTrS'

The annual sermon before the New-York Bible So
ciey was preached last evening by the Rev. Thomas
s. Hastings of this City in the Madison-square Pres
bytcrian Church, of which DIR. Adams is the pastor.
Mr.. Hastings selected his text from the First Book
of Samuel, fourth chapter, and thirteenth verse:
CAT upon sea, BY the wsyside watching for his heart
The speaker commenced by saying that what the
Ark was to Israel tho Bible il to the Church of our
day. 1t is the visible pledge of the invisible but poten
ta presence Of the Divine Spirit is the center about
which rally the firth, and hope and courage of the
Church. II is, under God, the cohesive power in her
life.
lie said Eli need not have trembled for the Ark since
il the Ark Of God and need not iremble for
this Book since il il the Book of God. And yet
times solictnde is stronger than faith. We fear the
assaults Of niideGty, when if we would fairly confront
and consider the matter, would perceive that inf
deity rather 10 be expected than fraud propose
the inquiry whether prtori, we have not such and
so many reasons to anticipate the presence of infdey
with The Bible that should be neither surprised nor
fearful concerning il. Though n6delity is thoroughly
unreasonable yet there reasons for expecting OF
human hearts. 49, =,
Consider the sntagonism between the Bible aud
human nature. Human nature Is falien-is IN runs
ton which is the purpose of the Bible. Human nature
is diseased and the Bible IL rernedal and that which
i remedial is always for the true principle The human
intellect is full Of Prejadiees OF false CONVICTIONS IL
unstrung and ci-cordant. The human viii IA Wild,
wayward aud unbroken. ~ Is strange II nature 70
disordered does sometimes reject Book which 10 OPP
poses il. II i the light and life OF the whole bnle
He il despi-ed and rejected of men, ia strange if the
Word in which lie lives should sometimes share a
similar fate.
Another reason for rejecting rather than fearing in
fidelity in the fact that the Bible is book whose value
can be tested aud proved only by experience. Men
are not willing to live the Billie requires; IT ID not
strange thu, they will not acknowledge its Divine Au-
tbory Can they consistently stop short Of rejecting
the book when they reject lis method OF life! The
Bible is the chart for the heayenward JOG ney; to
prove its accuracy God must undertake that journey.
Another reason why may expect 10 meet with in
fidelity may be found in the superficial culture and
limited knowledge which characteristic OF our times
| Superficial education is dangerous thing. Lord
Bacon said sit is true little philosophy nclneth Il
| nmans mind TO atheism" but depth in philosophy
bingeth mems minds about TO religion. Philosophy IL
stil in crude and forming state and science is COM
Iaratiyey in s staninerlng infancy Is 1t strange ii
| they mislead some
There are the Bible apparent and real difficulties,
which likely to prove stumhlingblocEs to the un-
wary All that is necessary for salvation il clear as
| the sunlight and free as the sparkling water but We
cannot deny that the Bible reader will find some pas
sages which not by any means simple, and which
are likely disturb partial minds, aud give them SEEM
inc excuses for skepcism Reason il restless under
constrant ard when she approaches this Book of God
ard find in a Trinity, divine and iniyefs sover-
eighty over against free agency and also an atonenen
are We to be surprised and terrified because sometimes
in her pride and seli,dependenee reason reeolls upon
herself and rejects, because she cannot coaprehe nd
| this Book which is full of the Infinite.
The Bible addresses itself TO Faith and with faith IL
always the contingency or alternative OF faith. The
heayenward path which faith must tread IS narrow and
difficult. and close on either side continuous peIs
Christian truth attended by the possibilities and
probabilities OF Ii is then occasion for surprise
ard fear tLatin this faibe world We lind faith attended
! 10y unbeief rs holiness is by sin
al. I1a ito
prof,ssed and real friends. Think what load of fec
/ bic and false interpretations tins Divine Word Is CON-
PEELED 10 carry! How protested Christians burden It
with their ignorance, prejudice theories and ogotry
In becoming believer man attaches himself 10 this
Book, and in too many he is iiag and hinder
ance to il. The Christian character and the Divine
Word both claim that they are III much the same man
ner and degree the work of the Spirit OF Cod there
fore If these two the Bible and Christian being, ap
rear sometimes to be contradictory, may it not be eX
perted that men will dsbeleye the The other, o
turn away from both
| Arothcr reason for expecting rather than fearing
hideity may be found in the greatness OF the Bible
book so great in its scope that il cannot be apprecia
ted by CHANGING at ii here and there 1t requires pa
tent aud dgent research. IL is not strange II some
| proy,rg microscopic minds do not Bee aud feel tht
majesty of the Bible. This also must be remembered
small truths (f any be small may be proclaimed
and little opposition DO Awakened but when great
rugged unconpromsng principles are sent forth TO dc
LATHE against men, then their slumberlng wfath II
| aroused and they grid themselves for s.ife.
What the Iacureate says of great men is equally APP
plcable here Never yet was noble man but make'
| ''ipnoble talk He makes no friend who never
made foe A book that brings with truth rs hel
as heaven and deep as hell cannot fail to awaken op-
rosition among men, The lessons OF our subject are
80 ratien, that need detin you but moment longer.
We shorld learn 10 fear inideliy less and trust the
Bible more. Ii is Gods book, and no power can pre-,
vail aogng H. Our fears for il dshonor the book and
its Author We can do most for its defense by holy
| confidence and holy life.