The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-20
SOUTH REFORMED DUTCH cSuaaA.

Christianity ms Applied 20 tho State-sermon
by the Rev. j. Cotton Smith.
The Rev. J. C. Smith delivered an able discourse
on the above subject last evening. at the South Re-
formed Dutch church, Fifth avenue corner Of
Twenty FIRST street, to large and attentive congre
cation. He selected hts text from Revelations,
l., 5--.And the Prince OF tho kings or the earth"
He remarked chat the assemblage Of the Ecumenica
Council Justly attracted the attention OF the religious
world in more poinIs than one, bur principally on
account OF its claims 10 supremacy In the affairs
OF social life and State. the head Of the
Romish Church saw 1T, as Vicar Of Christ, to
egislate and interfere in the relations Of social le
Tne law OF Christianity to the State was very close
and affected the family, but men were bound to 1t
by irresistible laws. The question naturally arose
what formed this relation or what constituted the
relations OF Christianity to the State. Tho theory
advanced by q certain section was that there o
diviue society with an infailible head, supreme In
all earthly afrairs. Tnis bigoted theory ana claim
yanced anew. the more yehementy il was
denied the more vehemently It was denied. The
only true head was Christ The having
religious training and cvl liberty and progress, he
the attention OF the Council would be the enforce
ment OF the doctrine OF the infalblity OF the Pope
IL Will be found that no one Will be allowed TO enjoy
alliance with that Church who opposes that dogma
II Catholic, imbued with spirit OF progress and
enlightenment discern the ridiculous pretenSi0nS OF
his spiritual head and refuse TO cOncedo them ne
must suffer many things, perhaps accommodation
The present use Of the Council was to inaugurate
crusade against liberty and freedom OF conscience.
IL WIN meet with q spirit q ant
Of Rome had enjoyed the devout adherence OF nearly
all Catholic countries TIL these latter days, when the
rksome and uncivll pretensOns OF the Papal throne
could be borne no longer. Austria, France and
Spain declare they Will inaugurate for themselves
civil liberty and freedom Of conscience. The clergy
rule vote for the claims OF the Papacy under the
iron rod OF coercion. There were many noble excep.
tons, prominent among whom was the Archbishop
OF Paris, and they must not forget that noble man
who has recently left us who declared that his soul
while under the Church was as completely fettered
as II he had been chain ed hand and foot. They
lived in majority 10 this country and they should
do all In their power TO Sconsummate that
majority and thus sustain and push forward
the OF liberty and progress. The teaching OF the
Bible III The public schools was now a9itated. sup
pose they exclude the Bible aud Its teachings, they
would not thereby secure liberty OF conscience.
rhcy could have no other system. The system OF
education prevalent in the Roman Church would
do for their country-tt would be mere secular
education The institution as it now existed was
one OF the grandent features OF this country and the
admiration Of all foreigners. TO break up the sys-
tenn into different denominations would rear
US up class OF citizens educated and,
perhaps Sors,. certain extent emit moral a,v but
strength. The Church Of Rome would lay Its
blignted hand and iron rod upon this ALSO The
Evangelical Alliance would meet here IN the coming
year and they should seek to strengthen Its hands,
for It VIII be glorious meeung AMI Will accomplish
great and important results. Their duty was 10 up
hold the glorious principles Of the reformation and
seek to propagate civll ana religious liberty ana
tutons which tend to make them religious, moral
and useful citizens, opposed to ignorance and
blgory, and enjoying the fruits OF pure and gorl-
Gus gospel riRhtfully disseminated, looking unto
their only Head and Prince, their Lord and saviour
who was Head over His Church.