The New York herald., 1870-12-26
NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Christmas Sermon by Rev. Merrill Richard
s0n-rhe Light and Beautiful Fhnses Of the
Mission OF Chri-t-(:iad Tidings OF Great
JOY to All.
That gladdest time Of MI the ycar-Christmas
Day--lound in church in the city more lifting or
tasteful commemoration than In the New England
church, rncr Of Madison avenue ana Forty seventh
street. Evergreen and noral decorations mingled
their dark and rich emerald hues with the most del
icaIe tns OF the rarest flowers. About the pulpit
and The organ
THE FLORAL DISPLAY
was most beauteous and complete parterrc and
the sweet incense OF their delicious perfumes i'm
parted most grateful fragrance 10 the whole eX-
pansive interior OF the sacred edfce These now
ers were most artstically wrought into bouquets,
baskets and wreaths, and evinced in their extent
ana arrangement the most charming grace as well
as profuscness. AS usual, there wasa
CROWDED CHURCH,
only yesterday morning IT was, notwlh-
standing The intense cold and Dicakly eddy
ing winds, more than usual. While the
congregation were coming in Mr.. hcRae, the
accomplished orgagis, piayea an exquisite yolun
iary ON the organ--a lively and almost merry piece
Il Iuaslc which TO play on any day but this merry
anniS ersary would seem, especially TO New England
Fcodc, who, with ali their modern lberaty and pro-
lFeslgene~s, have still some old Puritan notions OF
slIe law slnctiy clinglng To them, ut once highly
Inappropriate the solemn sanctity Of the Sabbath,
Ii mol positively sacrileglous But IL was deemed
altogether appropriate TO this occasion. Mere sub
dued, but still breathing spirit akin To the same
sentiment Of heartfelt delight, was the anthem
IL was most superbly rendered by Miss MoSher
sustaining the soprano part, Miss Macomber the
alio, Mr Alan the tenor and Mr.. Francner the bass.
Following this were reading the Scriptures and sing
ing ~ the congregation. whs sing with down
East enthusiasm that Is III once graudly Worship
ful ana inspiring. Before commencing 10 deliver
THE SERMON
Rev. Merrill Richardson announcer That In the
evening ne would exchange pulpits Win Rev. Dr
]. L. Th0mpson OF the Broadway Tabernacle, and
preach III the latter church, ana haL on next sun
day morning he would preach New Year SER
mon.n HIS sermon Yesterday was Christ
mas sermon" and rarely eioqaent dis
toned impassoned style ana copious energy
OF argument and illustration. HIS text was
Luke H. 2o-"Behold, | bring you glad tldings Of
great joy, which shall be TO all people, The Drth
Of Christ, he began, was announced by angels. The
news spread through the realms Of bliss, and IN
exordiun. urging that upon tins day, in CONNIE
moration OF The birth Of Christ they should consider
these glad iidngs, his first point was that any
| authentic news from The other world Is OF momcn,
ious interest TO men. Is there life beyond this
life? what Is IL and how is 1t related 10 our lilo
here?
| oraces were consulted ana various means used TO
obtain some clear voice from behind the veil. The
| same, substance, Is done III our day H. now,
| God should speak by living voice, what tidings
conld be OF sncn intcresry Lev the whole dome OF
nirnt De lighted up, ana its brightest star guide the
shepherds 10 the spot These tdings are authentic
| They speak to the reason and the heart, and they
! are glad tldings. 'ihcy tell us that God Is
| good and HIS mercy is plentiful unto all.
| This Gospel teaches no limited atonemcnt or par
| tial grace. IL reveals God az nature reveals Him.
/ giving the Sun aud the rain alike to al men, a
| special evidence which Christ gave that lie came
| preached ana the door opened 10 the captive None
were excluded. Archimedes said, GIVE me stand.
4 point, and with my lever can move the word"
! The people were Christ'a standpoint, and He has
| moved tile world, The common people can Judge
/ religious truth as wei as the most intelligent.
| Mary and John knew IL better than the
| Sanllcdrm. The learned may be authority IN pnY.
steal science but when 1t comes to the truth OF e
ali Gun decide The missionary coud do lille with
| our systems or divinity, but much with lEe
! GOSPEL, or CHRIST.
1t is glad news that the truth OF God comes TO man
40 that the poor the heavy Laden all the mill0nS oi
the crld. can lind il ana know II Is 0f God. ne en-
lar2eu upon this topic of ms discourse, showing the
effect upon the worlds progress and history VI
! Christs mission on tn, and then with equal
carncstness elucdated is second prop0sltion Wnlcn
was that revelation of future life the Gospel
| glad news II shows that Go,t's Kingdom ls within
| us-thaL we must reap a5 we SOW. Every ones
| character contains within iJsef ITS rewards or penal
lies. Man will carry into the next lie the elements
of happiness or misery. Tnere W Ill DC no afoitrary
infections. Not little or Gods moral law Will pass
| away. The wicked Will be filed with their own dc
| vices ana the righteous be satisfied In themselves
| Tns principle of the next llfe can be understood
The gods ot the pagans pardon and punish capri
| ciVusfy but
/ GoD is IMPARTIAL
| and without yarablonesa. Ills government VIII
stand' Ony the 0Dedieni CAP W biesaea, NJ gfaes