The New York herald., 1870-09-05
AMERICAN FREE CHURCH.


~~--~g~<--~~---.>,->,,,~--
The Frnuco-Prussian War-PrOvidentiai Visi-
tation-Eloquent Discourse by the Rev.
C. Il. Smyth.
The congregation OF this church Is steadily in
creasing. Yesterday the attendance was unusually
large, and the appropriate subject Of the war was
treated by the reverend gentleman with his wonted
force and eloquence. After preliminary re-
marks Mr.. Smyth took his text from Isaiah lxiil L.:
'sWho is this that cometh from Edom with dyed
garments from BoZrah s-this that is glorious in his
apparel travelling in the greatness OF his strength!
/ that speak in righteousness, mighty to save"
He said:-Imagine some Rip Van Wrinkle just
wakened up, peeping over The battiements Of Paris
and espying approaching towards its fortifcations
the venerable leader OF the Prussians, marching
towards il with triumphant air and all the insignia
OF royalty upon his person, and on his raimeni the
BLOODY STAINS OF CONFLICT,
accompanied with the circumstances OF dignity and
grandeur that compOrt with the rank and glory OF
king flushed with victory and pressing 10 further
conquests. He sees him advancing along the road
that leads from Metz to the capital of France ana,
perceivin2 by his strange appearance that lie Is not
French, but a foreign pOtentate, he eXclaims
amazement, "Who IL this that cometh from
e,zwiIh dyed garments from Lorraine-ths that Is
glorious in his apparel-travelling In the greatness
streuStnI' IL Is IN Il manner ike THIS that
the "King OF kings and Lord OF lords l. seen by the
eye OF faith, pressing forward from one achieve
ment to another, ''conqueiins anu to conquer
They were compared to the noise made by "bulls,"
and that noise was actually found to proceed from
remarkable beast which is regarded as a symbol OF
atwofold despotism, which ruled the world during
along period or corruption, ignorance and persecu-
hOn We are all liable, more Or less TO fall asleep
over spiritual matters and over the proyidential
dealings OF God with men. The tendency to do so
Is not confined TO those who doze in their pews
while some antedeluvtan Is rrOsily discOnrsing
about matter that took place before the food and
''playing Opossum'' TO the current news and tera-
ture OF his own day, and the passing events which
are Knocking with cannon balls at his bedroom
door with noise loud enough 10 waken up any
person bnt-but-bnt one who wears white crayat
The battle is begun. The dinrnaI and evening
news OF the stirring surroundings OF actual war
between earthly c0inbatants Is well calculated to
excite the interest OF men OF sense and so should
the spiritual contests Of Christ truth and virtue
heart God hath shned to give the light OF The
knowledge Of the glory OF God In the face Of Jesus
Christ" He showed that the primary application
OF the text was to the ancient land Ol Esau and Its
eastern capital In ful1lmeni OF the prophecy
tanned in Isaiah xxxiv., the truth OF which Is con-
1rmed by many modern travellers, and showed that
Gods
JUDGMENTS ON THE EDOMrTEs
were sample or his judgments upon all ungOdy
nations, and then applied the passage particularly
TO the events which are taking place in France. AS
the ancient nations that induged in malicious ami
from existence so any modern nation that follows
their example will pc dealt with in like manner.
'The nation and kingdom that viii not serve thee
shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly
wasted" The destroying such is the work OF God,
whether It be done with famine, or pestience, or
war. Hence wherever the work Of Judgment upon An
UNGODLY NATION
like that OF France Is seen To begin in progress,
whether 1t be carried on by the armies OF one coun
try or those OF another he VINO plans, oversees and
directs all is the King OF kings and Lord OF Hostsf
"By Me kings reign and princes decree
no nd
setteth up another.n Ana consequently when
blood-sprinkied hero on the side OF right IS seen
travelling In the greatness OF his strength, from
tory TO victory, and tramping down the enemies
OF justice ana Of freedom, and the inquiry Is made
n VINO Is ss ~ ane g% ans%er proper U.s. ~ teat speak
speak In righte ousness." The sword OF the Lord
may be seen cleaning high above all the
principles OF eternal ana unerring rectitude wiSh
powerful strokes, striking down q dynasty and an
empire that has. under the hypocritcal guise OF
ioge for peace and respect for the popular WILL done
more to bolster up the o.ering fabric OF despolism
In the south Of Europe than mas any other agency.
for deeds OF darkness and Of blood perpetrated IN
years gone BY, as well as for her existing unrlgh-
civilized world Her government has had an iron
nuzzle upon the press and its thumb upon the
sncs al tee spe and sae
very capital the tongue OF liberty has been out
by the root the pen OF freedom struck from the hand
that used it, and music robbed orlts
soUI-sTIRR1NG MARskfLLAIsE.
and the spcctres OF four obsolete religions brlbed
rom the public purse for political reasons. These
are national crimes OF which she must repent or
else suner the consequences. He dwet also nj some
length upon the persecution by the French govern
mcnt when Catholic, OF the Jews. In former times.
lnd OF the Protesants which resulted from the laws
enacted against the latter by Francis l. and Henry
H. and from the Edlct OF Nantes by which abOut
Dne million Of the most enlightened virtuous and
enterprsing OF the inhabitants were nom time 10
time,
DESTROYED OR ExIIED:
and uD0n the persecution by H. while nndel Of tbe
Catholics when IN furtherance of decree OF the
National Convention all churches We're kept closed
aud great numbers Of the Catholic priests were put
TO death in the most inhuman manner, and upOn
the various revolving crimes committed under the
above us, he SAID, holds France accountable FOR
those
NATIONAL CRIMES
until she repents and OF repentance she has shown
1tgn as yet. And he will hold the Nap0leOnc dynasty
for the crimes Of the Firsf and OF Third
Napoleon. Every unjust or unpr0voked war Is a
great crime; IL is mountain heap OF crimes In the
tight OF Heaven; and every unnatural and unneces
Dary cruelty committed In connection with any war
must be atoned for by the party committing the
ame, or his representative. What marvellous news
vas that which reached Ms all yesterday evening
What hearr-sickening picture was that which was
pread before our fmaRinatlOn-the printed de.
criptt0n OF the carnage III the valley OF the Meusc
POOR MACMAHON
hat brilliant brave and noble fellow and his splen
i'd, faithful, desperate fOliOwers-and Napoleon
9 moment he has realized now he existence OF u
owes above Nil that IL earthly O sWrc,y. it IL tine