The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-30
cssu STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

scrucu Nv Rev. David Mitchell on the viii.
GcntiOn OF the Dead.
cana, Street PRESBYTERIAN church was reopened
Yesterday for public worship. The services morn
ing ard afternoon, were conducted by the pastor
Rev. David Mitchell. The mogping's discourse was
evidently suggested by Mrs. stoves attack on LORD
pryon. An reference to Mrs. stowe or Lord Brsoa
wss skiiully avoided, but the occasion was mads
one for the consideration Of the general subject
unnecessary prying into the secrets OF the dead
After the usual devotional exercises, Mr. Mitchell
announced as his text Matthew viii. 22:-"Follow
me and let the dead bury Their dead"
Tue Saviour by these words he said, does not
mean that his followers are not TO perform the last
,fices towards their deceased friends. He speaks
10 nls disciples according 10 their necessities.
10 one eagerly protesting a desire 10 follow Him
ne points ont the har1ships OF the Christian life.
'"lhe son of Nan ha5 not where to lay his head"
To another who would de er the duty OF taking up
the Cross TIL he has performed other subordi-
nate duty-such as buryiug ms faIher-Jesus said,
Utollow me aud let the dead bury thef dead.N TO
trls dlscule lie spoke tins because he was more
eupied with thoughts regarding the dead than the
duties and struggles OF lie. And 20 ali who neglect
theiF present duty VIII the excuse OF having 70
bury their dead, he now a. then distinctly says. Let
tue dead burg tAeir dead.n These woras may also
be applied 10 thOSe who occapI themselves WIN
discovering tie OF the dead rather thh "ith
The duties o. lie ihere 8 IN the ne fs o. ILL.,
longing Tor what the common sense regdfos loI-
u
knowledge OF the Eool parts aai DEEDS oi hIeh ~
would be well. Bat 10 draw aside tue curtain when
hangs between time and eternity, merely 10 dls-
cover what was bad IN Lie life OF g fellow creature
10 have no motive IN cong SO but to CRAFTY vain
ambition, TO present a story winch, though Impro-
bable VIII be eagerly taken up by lovers or sensa
ton and dealers i'll secrets anu mysteries, Ia aito-
gether outside OF the Christian lie aud character,
and comes under the reouAe or the saviour
when no SAID. "Folow me and let the dead
hurry tnelr dead" The preacher remarked In
further consideration of the subject, thai unne-
trdrS to the tone and split OF Christianity. The
facts OF mans ne. or OF naiion's history, 30 lar
as lhey are publicly known. the scriptures never
attempt 10 conceal Ii Is Que OF the beauties Of the
word OF God that 1t never CLOSES over The charac.
sefs OF men, that never suppresses or ds,orfs the
truth anu thai its pictures or individual OF nationa
character are tfuc TO the lie. But we cannot point
TO any one Oh WHOM scripture reveals more than
was Known TO his contemporaries or by his own con.
fessions
Further God would have Ms deal with no less
charity with the dead than with the living charity
thinketh no evil, rej0ceth not In iDIquity, but re-
jocetn the truth" 'Chariiy shall the Inul
ttude Of SINS" Jesus sad unto them VINO had
brought unto him s woman taken In adultery, "He
that is without sin amoag You let hun arst cast a
Stone al her." ii Inc Word or GOD would nave us
TINS dea with the living, would II, tnink you, give
US unpfded license TO up The ashes OF the deadY
But further, the grave Is IN Scripture POLITICALLY
cease from troubling aud there the weary
be al rest" Our Saviour severely re6ukes
grave. lie asks regarding the eighteen over.
wnelmed BY the fall OF the eiloani's tower, 'Thnk
that dweit In JerusalemS l tell you nay. Except ye
repent,' &c. lie tells them they nave nothing to 90
with the deao: they have TO do with their own sins.
Besides scripture clearly reveals a judgment day
Inc DEAD are transferred from the tribunal OF man
20 the tribunal OF God. Let us beware OF making
rselves the judges Of the dead past and taking tut
judgment OF God into our own haDds Let us lay &c
heat these words. Judge not, that We be not
Judged" In the second place, It was remarked that
unnecessary discoveries OF the secrets OF tie deat
are contrary to the .nssincts OF human nature ou'
inssincts point TO death as maven OF rest.
We All be sea of Sc al pnsf nAs
And one a tempest; AID, the voyage Ger
Death is the que, hagen OF us All
When We call 10 the Image OF a deceased child w
never tank or Its acts OF disobedienoe. We all fee
an honest shame when any one tnrusts upon ou
unwilling ears their DOUBTS and assertions regard
sng those who have gone the way OF eli the earth. Il
Ia \ common saying, let us forge, the evil and re
member with gratitude the good man has done
Tie custom at our funeral services ia worthy OF
attention. At such q time we think only on the good
that characterized the deceased. In the death oil
the prOdi4a we fondly cherish the thought OF
his having come back 10 the fasher. We pom
der has words, ext resstvc OF q returning love
and forget his wandering into the FAR country Our
common sense OF justice has made IL q stringent
rule to try any In his absence for an alleged
Crlme. The accused should be brought face to facs
Win his sccuser. We feel this should be observed
stringently with regard TO the dead. The dead
are silent as tue grave which covers them. The at
spirits Of the departed have only proved grand
failure and lmpOsture. 1t Is universally the leeng
snat liz unjust 10 call the dead TO human tribunal
The consequences OF such unnecessary discoveries
INJURY they would do to the living the creation Of
sensational taste worse than that which is gratined
by illustrated papers and dramatic representations
OF crime. and dangerous craving after know. edge
OF the secrets Of the living The reverend gentle.
mai concluded with an eloquent peroraton enjolD.
aug the duty or reveripg the memory OF the Illus
rrous dead, and showing tnat except TO do justice
~ the ylg or for the Interests OF society we should
'let the dead burg their dead"