The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-04
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE.

New Congregational Church-Stand There,
Hold Fast:-Sermon by the Rev. Hugh
Smith Carpenter.
A short time ago the Rev. Mr.. Carpenter severed
his connection with the Presbyterian church, corner
OF Clinton street and First place, and inaugurated
system OF free services In the private chapel OF the
Polytechnic Institute, Livingston street. Brooklyn.
They have hitherto been complete success and the
energy and ardOr OF the pastor have met with q
worthy response In the enthusiasm and zeal OF the
members or his old congregation, who flock TO the
temple presided over by him, and seem to
take no pleasure in hearing religious truths
from other lips. Yesterday the assemblage
was not so large as USUAL owing TO the threatening
aspect Of the weather, but q respectable number
were present, composed OF staid old gentlemen, and
ladies' young and Old, who manifested praise
worthy disregard for the
POSSIBLE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE
to their outward integuments. The services were
begun with prayer and singing Of psalms with
orchestral Accomplishments by an amateur choir OF
church members after which the reverend gentle
man delivered an eloquent address, taking his text
from the fifth OF the fourteenth chapter OF the
Epistle to the Ephesians-"Stand there" &c. In
this command there IS implied great activity and
notion that after the arInor is bucKled on there Is
nothing more TO be done. The Christian Is
depicted as one possessed Of great strength and I'm.
bued with the power stand fast In the liberty with
which Christ has gifted HIM. There is something In
this style OF language which implies suspense, and
yet repose might, and yet quietude. II includes
three eements-decision, steadas.nes and readi-
ness. In the first place Christian adopts
A GUIDING PRINCIPLE,
takes distinct stand, and wherever that principle
directs him ne turns so far be mag be said to know
himself lie only takes his position 80 FAR as he sees
the direction In which the principle leads him. He
VIII stop OF turn on the path along which II guides
n us ssa 1nat s ws
upon the compass. Like the latter 1t shows him
how to steer without indicating the position of the
ship on the vast waste OF waters around. The
mighty snip, guided over the dark waves by the un
errIng hand OF the pilot follows the direction
pointed out by the delicate needle SO a mans
principle VIII lead him right and be to him as a
magnet within the soul, northern star, which,
electric in Its sympathy WIN bring him safe to The
any landmarks. To q Christian, however, uncertain
OF his position there is always bright star in the
answer to the call of his Master Speak, Lord, what
will you have me dos" and 'Lord, here am L."
Therefore, position must be taken, for without IT
CHILD sTRAYs FROM HOME
the parent Is uncertain as to Its fa5e, but he still
trusts III Its safety for he has abiding faith III the
wise provisions made by the authorities. sub
mission to an accepted form OF faith is indispens
able, whe her the religi0ntst worship in a humble
chapel or IN gorgeous temple. Both wisdom and
reason are outraged by the preposterOus opinion held
by some men mat they can i've In TINS world NTH
1t would be as difficult as to walk dry through
the rain drops thunder r.st Storm or
Cutting through Countless pores. Armed in this
panopy the weak man initiates the ostrich, which
bures Its head IN the sand but like 1t he Is still eX-
posed to the storm Of his own sinful nature. Not
even were he 10 put on garment impenetrable to
THE FABLED COAT OF DARKNESS
could he escape from the consequences OF his errors
Following this idea TO its legitimate conclusion there
Is evasion, a. man must denne his position he can
not pretend to he loyal to Jesus without loving Him
and acknowledging His name. Il is like endeayor
ing to sing without moving the lips The principle
stammer and wander IN their lives, Just
as speakers who have. imperlectly stu
died their speech viii surely say what they do
not mean. strange text OF the sacred writ refers
to a double minded man, meaning the weakness OF
the human intellect and not commencing 1t as q
who have been encouraged to crudlty Of thought
in early life who jump TO hasty conclusions and be.
wards find It difficult to escape. This world is full Of
irrepresslbe agents,
VISIONARY BEINGS
who choose TO assert that there was man before
Adam, and q book Older than the Bible.
An irresponsible man has time only TO do harm, and
cannot correct the evil into which he leads Others.
The grim and sturdy veteran walks bravey into the
battle field, while the jaunty Ocer stands appalled,
at the terrors OF the fight. Steadlness though OPP
ness A tree takes hold with Its living roots, and,
spreading out gathers strength to
WITHSTAND THE BLAST,
unlike the staff or post fixed tmmOvably in the
earth. No one knows for what he Is most useful
let him only be concerned about his readiness.
The efficiency OF an army consists in the
OF command Readiness is The grand secret OF ma
lures pacidty. At word the lightning dies away
storm dwindles down to the signing breeze, while
the capacity for another aerial disturbance always
remains. With an eloquent appeal to his hearers to
be always prepared, to stand In readiness, the
preacher terminated his discourse, which was list
ened TO with marked attention throughout
cvs prr,C., AVN DAM &C rg,-vry