The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-01
Y0iav.LLe Pa;sBy TERRAIN CHURCH.

Rome, Liberty and the Ecunsenical Council
sermon by Rev. MIR. NIacSaushton.
There was an unusually numerous attendance at
the Yorkville Presbyterian church. in Eighty-slXth
street. last evening" The subject Of the DISCOURSE
previously announced, ''Rome, Liberty aud the
Bcumenical Council" no doubt contributed some
what to this result. AS tho basis OF his sermon he
took as his text Matthew vii, ASK ana 1t shall be
given unto you; seek and We shall find; knock and
II shall be opened unto you" Christian liberty and
Roman despotisn, he insisted by way OF introduce
tlon had strong points OF similarity. The Christian
principle was inherently active. 1t would toler-
are sotn. IL was the same with
Romansm; 1t was perpetually vigilant; 1t never
sleeps After tracing the philosophy OF Christian
liberty and the sentiment underlying popery he
proceeded to show that Christian liberty does not
restrain philosophical investigation but the con.
trary invites the most thorough investigation. 1t
was not so, he urged, with Popery. Roman Catholi-
cism moved III dark paths ana sought to keep the
people In darkness. Only by throwing clouds about
us creed could 1t MAINTAIN Its vitality. Chris
tianity was open and free. There was that IN
Of men. IL satisfied the cravings that all
otner cieeds and philosophers could not satisfy
Christianity demanded implicit faith In the early
times The result was that the exercise OF free
thought came TO De recognized as something antago
nstlc to CHRISTIAN ~ iatn; AZ length there arose
were aud what was their destiny. He traced the
era ol deepotsm 10 the meliHval ages. The corn
was robbed OF Its Kernel and the husas were given
to the poor Religious life IN Its highest aspect was
regarded Us lifting one above the ordinary duties or
life. 1t had nothing 10 do with the plain duties OF
every day lle the duties OF business and the rela
tons OF nome Christianity became sort Of transeen
dentasm The uvine was cxtolled at the expense
OF the human. Theology was raised upon the runs
or science aud art lie reviewed the theology Of the
old schools, and gave resume OF the times OF the
Reformation. IL was not I'll men began to under
stand the true teachings Of Jesus Christ and his
apostles that religious liberty began to be under
stood. Not until this time was the genius OF Chris
tanity comprehended; not until this time was IL
seen that Christianity was not alien to art
and science. Everything that elevated humanity,
that gives dignity to mankind, everything that
builds society upon true Dasis--the press, the
steam engine and the telegraph-had In Christianity
their strongest ally lie now proceeded 10 trace the
objects and fruits OF the Cnurcn oil Rome and what
the Ecumenica Council about TO convene at the
great head centre Of R0mansm was likely 10
do. The present was the important epoch, he
urged In conclusion, in the history OF the
Church. II the Pope resists liberty Of individual
research and liberty Of thought and speech he would
show thom that the time for Popcs was at an end
lie referred to Pere Hyacntne aud his coming 70
this country rs the beginning OF new era M Church
history. IL was their duty as frotestants to pray
that this Council to meet In Rome would be pro-
ducve Of good results; that he present Pope Wonld