The New York herald., 1871-07-31
ST. GEORGES CHURCH.

Gods Dealings With Nations and Indfvid-
uals-Scrraon By the Rev. john g. White.
The services yesterday at this church were slimly
attended, rs the wealthy and fashionable cOngrega'
ton who worship here out Of town. The Rev. DR..
Tying has also beon taking much.needed rest at his
summer seat at Irvngton. that from both causes
the customary large attendance was not TO be no
ticed. The choir is a chorus consisting OF about
twenty boys and six men, under the direction Of W.
Francis Williams, organist, who Is now travelling
in Europe, however and the music for the
present is in the good care OF Messrs. jar
dine anu Arnold The music yesterday consisted
OF the "venite" In chant form to Hindle in D..
ElIotts "Te Deum' In F. "Jubiate," double
chant by Barnby in E, and psalm and hymn. In
tine absence OF the rector hls assistant. the Rev.
John Crockar White, preached the sermon. O
SYNOPSIS OF which we give below. The text was
taken from Malachi ILL, 3-"He shall Sit as
REFINER AND rURIFIER
OF silver" Mr.. White said:-There could not be .
Gods work in the world than that which the figure
OF the text affords. Whatever instrumentallties He
uses, whatever agents He employs whether human
or diyine-God always sits and works. Whatever
different processes He may seem u apply, lie
always "sits rs a TeAner." Whatever the results
may promise in our view always that work shall
prove itself expedient and shall be maze glorious;
verify God sits as q reaner OF silver.
In setting forth some OF tho moro obvious
considerations that ensue on this thought note
FIRST that this IL the way OF all Gods work. Take
creatlon:-lt makes no difference how we interpret
that hrst chapter Of Genesis; whether by the old
theological theory that the earth was made literally
In six days. or by the more modern exegesis which
make OF those days immense and unlimited periods
OF OF on y SepsTs
evidently the whole process was one OF develop
ment, IN which the Creator went gradually on from
O cOarser 10 finer material and form. The crude
character Of the earth cast into the rehuers fire.
and the rocks bear witness to Its nerceness to this
FLAME AND DELUaE AND CONFUSION.
tho whole rude mass was wrought up and refined,
s1a msae n last NJ or ns q
process tnat had been gong On in the animal
kingdom precisely parallel TO that exercised upon
toe earth itsel Take the history OF the civilization OF
mankind from its beginning In barbari0 times to
tnat stage IN ITS progress hich we see to-day Is II
led tile race through struggle, through success
sometimes, through failure o.ten-the very fire Of
s "sa eeyaon sor Mos
fair and costly vase Of our finest Society shines In
brightness out OF the midst OF black clouds Of
SMOKE and stands upon the ashes Of bygone fires.
Mayhap they must be k,ndled again. Take single
thing that has not come through the reaners dre ?
England, 80 far, standing at the head In point Of
finished and fine results ls hat she Is BY reason Of
lust on account Of past prvattOns de eats bitter
humiIiattons, This land OF ours, just out OF the
flame;
THIS LAND DEAR TO US
on account Of her suffering; doubly dear to any
who have suffered for her-and who OF US does not
see how her strength and value have appreciated
lust in proportion the ferceBess OF that IRE about
her Which, In one form or another has compassed
her IRON her very births Mr.. White further cucl.
dated his subject by showing the record and method
OF Gods dealings with His Church. GODS way OF
working is oneh ne said; ''as He deals with worlds
n a will jutt
vidual sOuls them also He brings through the re.
fning fire. He treats each one though 1t had the
value Of land, and were kings dominion in ita
single sel.n
In the second place, God does not waste Hts work
He always labors with some well planned purpose
and toward some LOFTY end Every stroke tells every
CHIP has Its the very dross serves It's end. Then
though not expressed. 1t is plainly implied In the
text that In all the processes or sanctltCatiOn GOD
works as with IRE, for with that element only was
the more modern metallurgy there have been varla
tIonS and, perhaps, improvements devised yet the
principle ls the same AMI the process even now, re-
mains materially unaltercd, and is never accom-
The text represents not only the method and the
matter Of the work, but the very manner OF the
workman. What wonderful significance and mercy
there Is In the word "sit ~ He Will not walk about
intent on other business; He will not even stand as
though impatient TO be Done His very attitude tells
brings His eye near to the molten mass In the fur.
mace and marks its every cnange. He holds In His
hand the cruclble and moves 1t sklfury He has set
HIS heart upon the doing OF the work and bent every
power and attribute to make 1t success.
In this way the figure OF the text was made clear,
and II was shown how precious IN the sight OF God
life, the death, the discipline and the character
Of His saints.