The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-19
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

st. Paul and tho Riches or Christi Sermon
by Rev. Thomas Armitage, ID. ID.
As was the case III other churches yesterday, the
attendance at the morning service in this church
was rather slim owing to the heavy rain, which
could be heard pattering on the roof and against
the windows during the religious exercises. The
costumes of the devout worshippers were NOT sc
garing as usual. Everything wore q subdued
appearance as n to lend solemnity to the sublime
theme or Doctor Armtage, the pastor. He took his
text from the third chapter OF St. Paul to the Epne
sians:-"I preach among the gentiles the
UNSEARCuABLE RICHES OF CHRISTI
No man, said the speaker. who ever lived exerted
greater influence and power upon the Christian
Church, and especially on modern and Western
civilization, than the Apostle Paul. His brilliant
natural attalDments, sanctiaed and augmented by
his conversion TO Jesus gave him an unrivalled
mastery over the minds and hearts OF men. Yet,
Notwithstanding his marvellous ability In handling
all themes in connection with human thought and
human action, when he came to preach the Gospel
he seemed TO he 0verpoWered by
IT'S GRAND CONCEPTIONS
and superabundant wealth. lie had q marvellous
shade OF thought SO subtle but that h9 could give
1t expression and rover with the greatest tcrseness
and perspicuity. Those powers were well taxed
when he went TO bring the gentes to the way OF the
Redeemer. And here we have one OF the most
marked passages from his pen. He appeared to be
uses these two apparently irreconcllable forms OF
expression he is the least Of all saints as II
he could be less than the least and that his Master
IS the greatest OF all subjects, that he prOnounces
the wealth OF his theme not only inexhaustiole but
unsearchaDle-"the unsearchable riches OF CHRIST"
II The riches Of our Saviour be thus nnsearchabe,
then now shall he express them2 He seems to be
lost as In
THE CRowN-JEwEL ROOM
OF His Masters empire But those riches are dis.
coverable IN the attributes OF His person. in the
boundlessness OF His possessions, in the saving
n In ia otnrcu NJ
these thoughts In profound and eloquent strain,
showing that these are exactly the mines Of wealth
latter had gods many and lords many, but they
needed One OF infinite attributes and human mani
feslation Hence their Elastrious apostle preached
to them the person Of Christ. They wOrsnipped
gods that were possessed OF imaginary DOMAINS,
but they stood IN want OF One in whom they lived,
moved and had their being. They paid homage to
GODS WHO EXC TED THEIR PASSIONS
reused ambition In their breasts and f0stered their
iniqu!ties, but they needed that God whose blood
shedding should atone for their sinS aud bring to
them the blessings of peace. They consulted oracles
which excited them by the utterance OF false pro-
phecies and deceptive Illusions but they needed one
whose words gave them the assurance and posses.
sion OF everlasting life. And Paul, knowing full
Wen their disposition, cried out, 'Him declare
unto YOU" and in the person OF Jesus gave the
image Of the invisible GOd and that wealth which
their poverty craved. And now, my brethren, con-
tinued the PASTOR we are all aware that there is the
same
WEALTH IN CHRIST TO-DAY
LOT modern gentlles that there was for the gentes
OF bygone times. In the sacred name OF that blessed
Redeemer l invite you, too, to come and enrich
yourselves with these sweet treasures Come all
We who are poor and aflicted come and explore the
eXhaustess mines OF your Saviour, that you may
afterwards possess them TO the fullest extent IN pos
sessing Jesus himself forever.
guidance OF the organist, Mr.. Connley seemed to
excel itself yesterday In rendering the select chants
ana anthems Il Tor the day. Mr. Beckett acted as
able manner.