The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-22
BEDFORD AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH,
Sermon by Rev. DIR. Porter-Sabbath School
Festival.

Sermon by Rev. DIR. POrter-Sabbath School
Festival.
The First Reformed church. Bedford avenue
while not equalling Its neignbor. the st. Johns
Methodist church, in Its architectural proportions.
is Of the most canacious. elegant and best VEN
tilatcd edihces IN Brooklyn. The congregation have
been worshipping In their new church one year.
since which time a commodious and beautiful struc-
ture has been erected adjoining 1t, which Is devoted
to Sabbath school purposes and social and religious
gatherings. The church and Sabbath school rooms
were tastcrully festooned yesterday with evcrgreens
choice flowers ana banners. DR.. Porter delivered
an able discourse In the morning, taking for his
text the latter clause OF the second OF
the sixty-third Psalm-"So as 1 havs
seen Thee in the sanctuary lie said
that longing to see God In the sanctuary by
means an uncommon act Of desire. There were
times when each Of them looked forward through
the week for the rcgathcring OF those who
shipped within the gates OF Zion, ana who, by the
help OF their friendship, prayers ana sympathy
would assist them in lighting well the battle OF lire
After describing the circumstances under which
David gave uterance to the language OF the text
the speaker proceeded to mention reasons why tho
sanctuary was blessing TO It's visitors. The Church
was refuge from oppressive cares, fears, tcmpta-
tons and anlciions. Work, n 1t honest In
tive and noble in purpose, was blessing; but men
the soul could Tor a while forget It's cncumbering
worldly cares aud project It's thoughts beyond
THE MATERIAL AND THE rEnISHABLE.
When the soul scared hcavenward In the sanctu-
airy an educational and eievating power was real
tied, which could not he found anywhere else IN
the world. IL was reckoned by men VINO had
studied physiology IN It's pr0f0undcst reaches mat
the medicinal effect upon the mind received III the
act OF worship was as positive ana direct as any
curative eject That might be named. ~ cured tho
spirit OF It's weariness, TOOK away something oil It's
disgust with life and generated proper serespcct;
for wnen q man communed with Ills Maker ho
dropped for q moment the mortal tenement, ana on
ths wings OF faith was lifted up TO where he could
hear angelic melodies anu behold tie gOrlfed and
the beautiful Those who nabltuay neglected
the sanctuary became gross, carnal ami
sonal lives concerned, hewcrs OF wood
ana drawers OF water; they worked for that which
satisfied not, and IN the mad idOatry OF The PERISH
able, they lost the bloom the sweetness ana the Joy
OF this present existence. Not only were men
pressed down with honcsS labor but there were
fears awakened eveyy day In commerce with tho
word respecting the integrity ana trustworthnoss
OF our Fellow beings. We put our humanity, as 10
were. IN duress, lest In an unguardcd moment tho
exposure OF our feelings might furnish advantage to
| the wary and the deceitiuL The education we
ceived IN the world OF society and OF business was
| one that required TO be amended at least once
week. we needed TO be brought lace to face with
1 our own sns and impcrcctOns, ana to bo led 10 q
! place where we could understand the government OF
God with relation TO evil In the present world.
| David himself besa to no FESTIVE when NJ saw
| THE PROSPERITY or THE WICKED,
put Wheu nc went into the sanctuary ho understood
| thclf end. 50 we come olteDtimes INTO the churcu
covered all over with tue slime OF dLsirust ana ths