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

Lessons from the Historical Scriptures-Sanc.
tilted and Unsanctihed Ahiiciion-True lie.
pentance-sermon by the Rev. DIR. Hall.
Although the rain fell torrents yesterday morn
ing the sermon by the Rev. DR.. Hall was listened TO
by goodly sized congregation. In his prayer ne
said "Let us remember the words Of Jesus:-'When
two or three are gathered together In my name
will he in their mdst.' Tie text was selected
from the first and second books OF the Chronicles:
"And In the time OF his distress he trespassed yet
against the Lord this Ii that King Ahaz;'' and
'When ne (Manasseh) was IN afiiction he besought
the Lord his God and humbled himself before the
God OF his fathers"
THE SERMON.
He regretted that little attention was bestowed
by preachers on the historical books Of tho Old
Testament. In them God teaches His people by eX-
amples, and they were undoubtedly the best
examples OF the practical working OF abstract prln.
cipes. But the Bible to many was like country
whose coast was familiar to voyagers but whose
interior was unexplored and unknown. The scrip
tural chronicles were too much neglected. The text
shows the dealing OF God with two men-AhaZ and
Manasseh kings OF judah; and the contrast between
sANCrIFlED AND UNSANCTIFlED APPLETON.
The reverend gentleman sketched the history in a
VIVID manner. Neither the severe neglect OF the
the IsraeIites. nor taeir klndness when thew were
his conquering enemies, could move the Obdurate
heart OF Ahaz. Things that soltened other men
| hardened him. And SO he died not in honor, for
the very people whom he had misied could see how
degraded mad been his careera career OF bis ckness
for good. God had spoken to him, but he still had
refused 10 hear; and this was that King Ahaz."
grandfather, Ahaz. Both had begun their reigns
with splendid and brilliant prospects, which 1t
1t was as II each mad studied the law of Moses to
find out things forbidden, in order to do them.
Manassen caused Isaiah to be put to death BY being
But the Lord let loose the hereditary foes of
Israel upon him. and he was taken in captivity.
THE GREAT CHANGE
came over him. He sought God and prayed unto
heart heart humbled, chastened, subdued ana sofened,
and, like The prodgal son. he returned to the
rne he IN was o n s aa
fruit meet for repentance. But unhappily 1t IS lar
easier 10 lead nation into sin than out oil it, to help
a man downward to ruin than to help him back
little wav toward goodness. So Manasseh found it
difficult to wipe out all the evils OF which he was
the cause The lessons Of this history are obvious.
GOODNESS IS GREAT GAIN
and profitable to all things. II we would be truly
service to the Lord Notwithstanding the difference
between the dspensaton of these and of those times
vans s. E e 1sgrsee Of avse "
them. Let us bear In mind that as long as God
rules TO do His will is safe
Ing power, although this is contrary to the super.
fetal view which some people take. It Is supposed
that blows certainly chasten and purify when God
tries men, and that they will turn unto Him. But
here are two cases much alike, but with results
widely different. One sinks more and more, but the
other humbles himself in the sight OF God. This Is
evidence that for aftlictlon to be sanctfed to men
there must be change OF character and life There
can be no change II 1t Is not shown IN the living and
the heart.
Is not the sound OF the lip, nor the genuine sorrow
Of the heart; but II Is q breaking or from SIN
through the influence of the Holy Ghost, bringing
new peace. If We wish to give evidence to ourselves
in our own breasts and to others in our outward life
II Will be evinced by turning from things OF the past
graphing nobly with the future ana making
all the reparatlon in our power There is no
sinner however low, that may not, when he
ample OF Manaseh, The Lord might have said,
"ln prosperity thou didst cast me of; spoke bv
prophets and thou didst not hear now In thy ad:
versity when thou prayest with thy hands covered
But this was not the response. Yet there Is time
IN the sight of that great white throne,
BEFORE THE SEAT OF JUDGMENT,
when such will be His response. But on earth He
hope. lie who mas smtten is willing to heal; He
VINO has wounded Is ready to bind up; and He has
never said, seek ye my face IN vain. Con-
Tess to this o., GOD, look TO the cross and ,
aud willing to save. There ID another lesson
which Is not peculiar TO the pulpit but should be
taught by the secular press 1t Is the closeness OF
connection between the rulers and the ruled; OF
misery. No wise man can be blind to the impOr-
lance OF the moral state OF the people OF nation.
Hence We pray for those in authority, that they
may be
BLESSINGS AND NOT CURSES;
sustaining what Is good In the people, and dis
countenanclng what Is evil and vicious. II we
make no distinction between men Of virtue and men
OF vice we shall have entered on a downward ma
tonal career Departure from the Lord Is the signal
for his departure I. ON US.