The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-24
TEE PULPIT I'm ULSTER COUNTY.
The Invisibiiity of God-Discourse by Rev.
ID. N. Vandcvcer.

Tho Invisibiiity of God-Disconrse by Rev.
ID. N. Vandcvcer.
KINGSTON, April %, 1871.
The usual large concourse Of worshippers
assembled at the FRS. Reformed church,
one Of the Oldest congregations in Amcrl-
ca-this morning to listen to the eloquent
words OF the young popular and talented
pastor, Rev. d. N. vandevecr. HIS subject was the
invsipity Of God He took his text from the
Gospel OF st. John l., 1s-"No man hath seen God ut
any time" 1t Is curious. AT least, remarked the
reverend gentleman, that what processes to be
revelation OF God should explicitly declare Him to
be invisible. Every revelation, however, carries
with 1t something OF conceament The words
which express some thoughts suppress others; the
effort which conveys some sentiments burics and
covers over many others. So unless the Deity
essays to manifest himself, He often grows most
mysterious. That which Is unrevealed is far
greater than that which Is made known; only
finite part Il dvueed; the infinite IL to all
but the infinite, The Deity Is invisible to human
Yaze IL Is the result oil Ills being God. For what
ever Is mmaierial is invisible. There are
INFLUENCES IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
W 1ch, grand ana potent, are withal fmpcrceptible
and mysteIioas-such as electricity, gravity and
chemical affinity. No eye has ever seen thought OF
sentiments no one mas ever those beings called
administering spirts:r nay indeed, one has ever
seen man--ony the house OF dust III which he re-
sides-not the inner spirit which Is himself. so
Jehovah Is invisible. Ne see the Kingdom, not the
KING HIS works prove has existence-do not de-
monstrate his essence or person. The scriptures
recount certain truths. but do not explain thcn-thc
Trinity, Incarnation, Holy Spir-and so Christianity
rs distinguished by faltn IN the most lnscrutabie
mysterious dlicultles, but not contralIctions-In-
conceivable, NOT impossible. And though the saliva.
ton oil race Is at stake the Deity does not unveu
Himself The law,galns no majesty from any In
teriercnce The part OF the law gyer. Truth does
not wiring assent from those who are too pnioso-
phical Tor the Gospel or too lndependent for the
Redeemer Providence does not force man into ac.
quescnce. There u profound silence, almost
indifference. Ours II d cOnditlon
GlRDED AROUND by ALTERNATIVES,
involving heaven or hell. the choice vibrating on
our free and therefore sovereign WILL But 10 pre-
serve such arrangement lnyioate the Deity must
more lie i'the triumph over uncertantv;r eternal
realities wonld absorb all stimulus TO present duty.
And sell-deDlal come to an end; obedience
scspIcls@ would Sc suicide. Reveal Him,
self and he would nndeiiy Himself. The
parent who consents TO- explain nla., AL those
by that very MAKES himself, In certain sense,
child again. For the DEFY to disclose all the
secrets OF HIS Godhead would level Him 10 our scale
of being. We should begin 10 compute Him-nake
governments on HIM; vast ~ tie armament, we
could measure Him. bright as the sun, we could
behold Him. Give Him ngu-e ana nmii- lie wouil
Decomc man or an Idol, aud The world DC turned
into q Pantheon.
ON Inc other nand, II concealed entirely from us,
no glory could ascend 10 Him from MS creatures.
There Is sense In which the unseen may be seen
IN winch we may look into God. eyen as He looks
Into u.s. Ideas are older than Iacts; the conception
prccedes Inc realization And 10 appreciate the
realization we must eater into tue conception
enjoyment from arr. Great gratncation comes
from studying The finished production OF the artist;
IT would be greater stu we could contemplate tile
tdea II bursts into being the mind. Just 80 In
respect to the Deity. Creation Is but
COARSE COPY OF DIVINE IDEA;
Providence but q tattcred panorama; revelation
but blurred Imitation OF q superb ideal. Take
away the nterposng medium OF sensc--stiscl0se the
eternal mmd 10 our ga<e-iay the heart upon love