The New York herald., 1871-03-20
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.
Sermon by Rev. Or. Perier-ssrhe One Thing
Nccdfu.'-Tso.ns ilnG Genuine Piciy.

sierniou by Rev. Or. Perier-ssrhc One Thing
Nccdfu.'-fsosns and Genuine Piciy.
Al the First Reformed church, Bedford avenue,
yesterday, The Rev. Or. Porter delivered an excel
lent sermon taking for his text the words from the
tenth chapter OF Luxe. forty verse.But one
thing Is noedtul.i'
Before proceeding 70 dilate upon the themes sug-
gested py the text the preacher made some observa
the designs and province OF the Scriptures
which We're TO reveal the
NATURE, CHARACTER ANo ATTRIBUTES or con:
to exhibit the Creator OF the Universe In ali his
resplendent glory and power; secondly 70 re-
veal 10 himself To show Inn what
his responsibilities ana his duties and
thirdly 70 proclaim the conditions which
man may be released from the tnraidom OF sin ana
admitted 10 the companionship OF the blessed
These designs have been fully accomplished In the
pages OF Holy Writ. No single itcm OF information
has been held from man essential TO cuable HIM TO
accomplish the end Of his eXisencc-hls eternal sal
walton. Difficulties there may be IN the Bible winch
reason finds 1t difficult to reconcile with science;
Its moral inculcatons, teaching the ways OF truth
and goodness, are such as all can comprehend. Ii
is, perhaps, chiefly for this reason that the Bible
holds sucn place IN the affections OF man. It's
pages are
vITALIZED wIrH THE SPIRIT or TRUTH.
Ascries OF revelations such as the Bible coltans,
ought, one would naturally expect, have great
power over the actions oil men and such we find to
be The case; Tor looking around we behold many
whose lives are mouiaed by the gospel In the
words from which he had taken text we are told
that there Is something needu. Upon the occasion
on which Christ uttered these words The Scripture
presents to onf view beautiful and touching PIC.
ture of domestic life. we behold Martha on hosGi-
table thoughts inieni, busted IN household duties,
wnile Mary sits at me feet OF Christ and atteu,
lively listening to the words or wisuom IA
they fell from His divine lips. Martha Inccnsed az
what she considered the Indifference the necessary
household concerns manifested by Mary, addressed
her complaint 10 our LORD regarding the conduct OF
her SISTER And in reply TO her remonstrances Jesus
said 10 her, "But one thing Is neeuiul.u What inc
preacher asked. was thar thing neediul? In.
dubtably n must be something thar cannot be taken
from It's posse ssor The one thing needfnl was nor
health beauty, for they are at best neetInr
eVanescent gifts; nor freads, for they NAV prove
reacherous; nor money, tor experience proves that
II may take to itself wings and leave It's owner The
one thing nec,lful is something To
HAEMoNlzs OUR INTELLECTUAL AND ALNATUREs,
BRING To Ms peace in the midst OF our struggle and
cares OF existence. some OF them might ieel m
clied TO call TINS thing needful reii,lon Well
tney were partly right but 1t should be remcm-
bered that there were many kinds or religion; there
was a religion OF pomn aud pageantry. which filled
the mind VITA outward forms, pur elt tho with
uut knowledge of GOD The priest Who pas<ei py
the wounded man upon the roadside, without So
much as dclenng 10 glance III the side OF the road
which he lay, no DOUBT thought himself religious
bnt he was mistaken. Then there was the religion
which came TO church arrayed IN beautiful
garment, and which, during service, was
imoued with the astnetic beauties of wor-
snip but winch returned into the outer
world unipnuenced anu uDinsplred by the spirit OF
God. some, again might say that The one thing
would remind them that there were many kinds OF
piety, some of which We're bogus and avail not to
salvation. There sentimental piety, equal to
the uttcrance OF any amount OF prayers, but
BARREN OF GOOD WORKS.
True rIery, he would remark, was not noisy nor
pretentious. Ii sought the paths of QuietnesS and
retirement, and etfected good upobtrusiyey.
In conclusion, the preacher cxhorled ms hearers
felt necessary for their SALVATION and nplored the
blessing of Providence on their efforts.