The New York herald., 1869-11-29
ELM PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Observation-Disclosures by Rev. Henry
Powers.

observation-disclosures by Rev. Henry
Powers.
This handsome church, on Elm place, near Fulton
avenue, Brooklyn, with It's large and pleasant In.
terror, hardly suiices for the increasing congrega-
tons that assemble both at the morning and evening
services to hear the new pastor Rev. Mr.. Henry
Powers. The elegant dicton, forcibe style OF utter
ance, cnase and ornate Illustrations characterizng
his sermons no doubt contribute largely to this
gratifying result. Yesterday morning he preached
to most crowded and attentive gathering on
'Predestination.n He took for his tex, H. peter t.
10-"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence
TO make your calling and election sure.n A calling
or an election OF some kind is to be recognized as
one OF the truths OF the Christian religion
II a man Is chosen by God to eternal plessedness
he cannot help being the partaker OF 1t, and it
would be foolish for him to strive to make his eec.
ton sure and the sooner he leaves this life for the
great future the better We have not the knowledge
to understand the full frution OF Gods PURPOSES
yet the beginning OF wisdom we do possess sun
cienty to meet our present wants In considering the
question OF predestination A man has not lived to
much profit II ne has failed to ind out that he has
certain destiny or rather Is the OF his des.
tiny. organization education and freedom are the
three points OF life which tend to control this
MIR. Powers then selected the various teachings of
the New Testament bearing upon this subject point
ing out very argumentatlvely their meanings and
assured his hearers such PASSAGES contained no
but only showed what gifts and opportunities
men have had bestowed upon them, and for them
they shall be held to strict accountability. The
destiny OF us ALL or every kind and degree depends
upon ourselves. How Is this election, or predestna.
tlon or rather what lstthe truth or IT, large his
torica scaleS The Jews were selected 10 proclaim
the words OF God to the world, 10 be ira relipous
scnooi master, and when they ceased to be true TO
thelr calling they ceased to be the children OF od
Greece In literature, science and ART subdued and
astonished the world. When It had perfected the
result OF its calling 1t died. but till II mad worked
out the specified purpose for which God had called n
lnto existence. SO Rome was called to be the law.
giyer In secular things, as Israel was the law.
glVer IN religious things, and then when true
70 her calling faded into insiguincance
Mohammedansm was appointed, doubtiess
to prepare the way for the religion OF Christ and
then began TO die. To whatever we are called In
Gods good providence IN this life by working IL out
we are fulniing our destiny Character SOUL felicity
or misery OF men, are not decreed by God or rather
man being responsible must determine them for
nllnse1 There Is good deal OF superficial morality
and depravity IN the world, and some, by their edu.
cauon ana surroundings, who are termed prongates
may be less inflicted with sin TO the core OF their
hearts than many hundreds OF seemingly pious
naDlted IN canonlcal robes. The moral worth and
destiny OF men IS not determined by moral culture:
that Is something In the heart, which God only de.
termnes. A tempted soul can only experience the
enort is delrauded OF It's object. You must work
out your own salvation with divine help; hence the
incentive 70 prayer and the opportunities given ua
The character OF Gous election is not a horrible
dream; 1t In the expression OF HIS love- The grace
OF COO is Iree. II you possess peculiar gift,
and be wise In Gods doing; nse what gifts are given
TO you. Through the contagon OF virtue we are
nation WITH all opportunities all forces surrounding
us and draWlnR ~ TO the apda Of tho world. each