The New York herald., 1869-05-31
CHuRCq Of the RECONCILIATION.
sernron by the Rev. DIR. POtter-s"rhe Churcl
and Our Times.,,

seruson by the Rev. DIR. POtter-s"rhe Church
and Our Timcs.'
The Rev. Dr. Potter preached discourse last
evening on the subject OF "rhe Church and Our
Times" ut the Church OF the Reconciliation, n. L.
Briggs, pastor, before a large congregation. The
speaker took for his text ''Let your moderation be
known unto AL men," and said what words could
have a tanner sound than these? What bidding less
likely than that which they utter to call forth Ell
thusiasm OF humanity? Amid Christian surround
ings and with the aroma G eighteen
Christian centuries penetrating our social and do
nestle life, yet sfrang ely pagan the virtues
which we admire. What Is accomplished with
noise and stir, the dashng qualities OF personal in
trepidythe impassioned Doidness OF great orator,
the reckless precpancy OF some bold refOrmer, the
restless industry OF some successful worker--these
and their kindred characteristics they which we
readiest to praise and most earnest initiate.
And yet there Is none OF this cOnspIcuousness OF
action, tins forth-putting OF impass,oncd speech
IN the conduct OF Christ. On the con
the stiffness Of some vast cathedral after
the noise aud the josiling OF the streets without
core OF this whole discussion, | affirm that the
great want Of boti households OF faith ana the
age In which We are ivng is the mighty cement OF
moderation know that In our day to call man q
moderate churchman' IL q term Of ridicule which
scarcely attempts to hide the sneer with which
what we want IL courage and sggressvenesS.
and bold speaking and decided stand and and
Is 1t Impossible TO have them without rashncss and
rudeness. Gan we not sepcrate what Is ouispoken
from what clustering, what is aggressive and pro-
gressive, rom that lust OF ecidf and passion for
parade that strives TO now close It walk 10
the dizzy edge OF error and not tOppe nO the
arms OF a corrupt fathf What IL easier than 10 be
sweeping In ones Judgments and vehement IN ones
speecnf To stand fast 10y Gods WORD, to refuse to
hurl anathemas against those whom God has not
cursed, to be more eager TO love anu
serve men than to dcnounce suspect
them, to love simplicity more than extravaganza,
and truth most Of all-this he who aims TO realize 1t
viii lind demanding all the courage he can sum
mon and all the irmness he can command. II the
Protestant Episcopal Church has never before had
chance IN this land, affirm she has II today In
that has never been true before IN tins lano
and may never be so true again. This Is our oppor
tuDity. Every human heart among us cries aloud
for some positive faith rooted In utterances au
thentIcated that candid soul among need ionx
be In doubt about them. Verify. call
this an age 0f much doubt, and so II h.. But
go with TO the regions where that doubt has had
It's reest range and yon will how reacted
In the incoming OF era OF superstitous beliefs
New England, with Its foul scorn OI "a religion ABOVE
reason having precipifaed by logical sequence INTO
the dreary extravagances OF spiriiualism, mediums
ana table rappngs have already said In this place
ours Is catholic Church, ana because the Church II
catholic she. n Pr0tesLant-siernly and unequIvo-
cally Protestant 50 long a. there continue Ia exist
those arrogant pretensions or the Church of the
Roman hierarchy.