The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-11-27
BEDFORD AVENUE REFORMED CHUs cH.


Sermon by Rev. DIR. Porter on the Work.
Mission and Death Of Christ.
In the Reformed church, Bedford avenue, Rev.
Dr.. Porter the pastor, preached on excellent dts
course yesterday from Matthew XII, Gland blessed
Is he, whatsoever shall not be offended in me-"
The preacher commenced by quoting what
John Robinson said to the Pilgrim Fathers
as they were leaving Dethsven, "Bcs sure that more
light Is yet break forth from the Bible" HIS an
ticiparlons had been realized, for more light had
come out from the Bible to show US the
nature OF Christianity and the character
and work OF Christ than was visible In
Robinson's dGy. Though an eminent critic
had asserted that theology was Q non-progresslva
science yet there was science In the world capa-
BILE OF 80 much actual progression the science Of
theology; for its text book was the written words
the commentary upon It was the universe, and
whoever would prosecute theology as 1t ought 70 b
prosecuted would find that cycles Of innnity would
expand before him whether he searched the word
or the works OF God. II
THE BIBLE BE GREAT OCEAN.
which can never be drained dry, then must ~
study bring into larger and better acquaintance
with the mind OF God, with his ways and pur-
poses. The Church OF to-day is not the one that
existed In the time OF the Reformers or thar whica
came In the Maynower to these shores. but 1t u .
broader, better and more glorious Church, having
many imperfcctions, but still growing on toward
completeness The question which divided men In
this age was not o question OF
CALvANIsA OR ARMINIANIsM,
OF Pro testantism or Romanism SO much as the
query, "who y Christi Art thou He that should
had actually come TO stand where Its Lord and
Master stood when in the nesh he uttered these
heavy laden and i viii give you rest. He
That 6elieveth IN me hath eveilastng
j Give mvssif for my sheep" Offering Sis
body as sacrifice on the cross for their redemp-
b
personal relations 10 Christ Every one was DOnnd
by seli.examlnaiion to nnd out whether there b
II HIS oflce. words, spirit and mission give orence
to some 1t was the result OF the de-
brought them into opposition to what was
good and pure and true. II tnerc be antagonlsm
fact certned to their Judgment and conscience thas
they had no share In His nature; but # on the con-
e Jss wa h " ess Of e oS
Ghost that such individuals were new creatures IN
Christ !ssus Those who saw no f confines 10 Hin
delight IN HIS life must share In everlasting con-
domination.
OLD IzAAK WALTON, THE FAMOUS ENGLISH ANGLER,
who was pious man and poet and author OF cele.
brity, gave utterance to ths maxlm:-mMany Of.
juries upon themselves were counted IN
sane and put IN rsstrains but
frenzy it might safely DO asserted That the harm
done the body in times Of oyer-excited feeling IN
nature as the sin, Of which so many were guilty. N
taking. ofrence without cause against those who
ead 81 nas Sn % the ana cyc
philosopher once said, ITO secure IN
enemy you must ., do . e favor" which was
injury y never forcive" for although the injured
party might forget the wrongs the other one would
was poisoned In Athens and Elijah in Israel because
they had reproved the popular L VIC vices Of Their
Inc men who drove Jesus to the cross and were
HORRIFIKD AT rHE TREMENDOUS CRIAR OF rHB
in condemn,ng the "Ho Holy. Just and True~ yet was
It not an invention OF sefc0ncelt that read men 70
believe that they had no part in the crime OF the
to understand the teachings OF the Bible, who were
living without faith In the Lamb oil God, who taketh
S IL e. q 70 n %
as the men who cried out "crocify him; not tins
DR.. Porter then went on to show, in touching ana
eloquent words, that Christ gave offence TO IN
renewed men because he demanded self-renuncta-
whole difficulty was, shall the sinner acknowledge
his sins and seek the saviour snail the proud man
u 81 % anS ire no M
tion, Create In me 2 clean heart on uodr
Whether he shall get out Of the em ps 9s,,
ness OF divine love, the Pharisees and the scrlbee
did not want Christ; but the poor aud sick, ne
ment and distress wanted Him. aud wherever NJ
manity yearned for guidance comfort and NE t5e!S
the blessing OF Jesus came. the prcacner SPOKE y
winning terms OF tho nature OF the DiesseGnos.
element OF pleasure happiness and Dnss nel3ngS0
to the Christan who, believing ~ Jesus Iou1o .n
peace 10Y aud all the unspeake6le rapture On 80
into the likeness Of Goa: =. 49,. 49,.
In conclusion ne said that Plato smrmeu .nn , ~
tnst In which tnefe prevailed NEST widely the an.
Cent saying, Fnends nave al tninss m common
church Imperfect though 10 was, Is the reAixattoh
of tne nhiioeophcr's despairng dream. The Church
NJ Chr,st Wns not shaker community, but house
hod az fauh where was realized the purest society
nossibls this side OF heaven.
CUurn On OC TINE PUQRIMN.