The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-11
AMERICAN FREE CHURCH.
The Writings Of st. Paul-Faith In the AL
mighty-Death Of j. w. Mngard-Serm0n
by Rev. Charles Ii. Smyth.

by Rev. Charles ID. Smyth.
An able and instructive discourse was yesterday
delivered at Masonic Hall by the Rev. Mr.. Smyth.
The literal, generous and Intelligent views enter
tanned by this gentleman have recently for him
host OF friends, while his manly and Independent
movement has created quite O favorable impression
In his regard. The hall was fairly attended yester
day. including number OF the congregation for
merly under the pastoral charge OF Mr.. Smyth.
Though simple and unostenatious In their way the
devoions were characterized by much earnestness
and sincerity. Alter the usual exercises the reve-
rend gentleman preached heightened sermon,
taking his text from the Epstle OF st. Paul. xiii,
12-"The night is far spent but day is at hand" &c.
lie said that no mind had appeared In the Church OF
the Lord Jesus Christ which could be said TO be
superior to that Of the Apostle Paul. Viewed sim.
ply as man, apart from the fact OF his being d.
viney inspired, he was acknowledged by all men TO
have been possessed OF superior intellect His
writings displayed much learning, skill and logic
He dwelt much In his writings upon controye rsial
subjects; his epises were full OF argument. 1t
could not be said but he was exceedingly
JEALOUS AS A THEoLoGIAN,
anxious as he was 10 have the doctrines which he
taught clearly understood aud fully believed by all
to whom he addressed them. 1t was for that reason
that he knew the correct views OF truth had much
to do with the correct walk in the performance OF
found ike great many others resting his subject
after he had discussed Its merits argumentatively for
he pushed II forward into the
PRACTICAL CONCERNS OF LIFE
and showed the world that the doctrines OF Chris.
tanity were only useful as they subserved its prac
tce And wherever discipline was enjoned 1t was
In reference to the practice the theories
OF Christianity. Therefore In the episte read, which
was full of argument during the earlier part OF It, he
endeavored TO establish the grand doctrine substan.
tally.savation by grace through faith In the Lord
Jesus CHRIST He urged upon all to whom he wrote
performance q ifa In nj
Its relationship. He exh0rted to render to all men
their dues tribute to whom tribute was DUE custom
10 whom custom, fear TO whom fear, honor to whom
anything, bur to love their cir negnoor ns
great principle OF Christian life. Now, the night
alluded by the Apostle was term employed to de-
note ignorance error ailiict and death; and day
site meaning TO those words enumerated. He
Thought that the night Of which the Apostle spoke
was tne same referred to III Isaiah, where il was
said that gross
DARKNESS COVERED THE PEOPLE
What was the darkness Error ignorance and
wlckedness. The night referred to the idolatry
which prevailed at the time OF The Saviour's coming
but when He came the light began to dawn. the
night OF superstition and heathenIsm far spent
and the sun or wretchciness arose. The
Ga oTo@s gay 9sa come the which
minds OF those who had followed 1t. The reverend
gentleman then proceeded to give lucid explana-
zion OF the text which he had read conveying to the
congregation clear and intelligent meaning OF the
words set forth. After abiding to the trials AMI
tribulation5 surrounding death and the bereave-
ments which accompany it. Aifction was truly the
Christ" were the words Of the Apostle. That was
beautiful expression. 1t was the armor wherewith
t to 6id defiance to the world. Christ loved His
Church and gave Himself TO IL. What the Apostle
condemned was excess. In word, innocent
pleasure or amusement was not forbidden, riotlng
was condemned; moderation In the use OF liquors
was not condemned drunkenness was a crime
Moderation was the great rule which pervaded all
the principles or Christianity. The reverend
attention
to the sad demise Of prominent member OF the
THEATRICAL PROFESSION,
whose funeral took place yesterday, illustrative OF
the subject or his sermon. He said that no matter
what may have been his faults the faults attached
to the profession with which he was connected. yet
according to those with whom he personally ac-
quainied he was in society man OF honor, q man Of
whose heart and purse were always open for the re-
leI OF those in Distress and very likely It was In
consequence Of his kindly impulses that he was
reduced to extremity. That af1ctiOn together with
DOMESTIC TROUBLE
appeared to have been the cause OF his sudden and
unexpected decease, brought about by his own
hand. And now that man was mOurned over. His
remains were being laid in the cold and silent tomb
They could not help thinking over the words con-
tanned in the Gospel OF the day In connection with
the subject. He yielded to the sorrows OF the world
and the sorrows OF the world worketh DEATH In his
dire alicton he could have trusted in the Lord and
put on the armor OF Christ. His troubles would
nave been light he could have borne his sorrows
with lOrtitude. He held on to the world; but there
is little In the world hold by. The sorrow of the
world wOrketh death; It bringeth wickedness; 1t
to their sorrow and give themselves away when
they be responsible for their acts. Without
his home, which he himself had made, hts partner,
who should have been his comfort, repels him from
her embrace and from that home, upbraids him and
DRIVES HIM FORTH AN OUTCAsT
and wanderer upon the face OF tho earth. There
one near to soothe his dropping spirit cheer
his fading heart and he went his way. But there
a remedy for all the ills OF life, domestic or pub
lie, as all found In the recognition that the night OF
darkness was dimmed for ever and the day was at
hand. ushering In righteousness and truth. The rev.
erend gentleman concluded by exhorting the con.
gregation TO place firm and hopeful reliance In the
Almighty and follow the precepts laid down In the
gospel OF charity TO Oil mankind.