The New York herald., 1871-10-16
<y->S ,sy eS----r @-.r~-S
THE EUTY OF the HOUR.
81. Paufs Reformed hurch--sernOn by Rev.
Dr. A. n. Thompson.


81. Pnufs Reformed hurch--SerniOn by Rev.
Dr. A. X. Thompson.
Yesterday morning. 10 q rather slim ccngrega-
tion, the Rev. A. Il. Thompson, H. d., discourscd
the lessons to be learned from the Cnicago conia-
grafton. His text was Psalm cxxvii., 1-.'Eycept
the Lord build the house they labor in vain that
bulld it; except tue Lord keep the Guy the watcl-
man wakeh but in vain.n The Doctor referred IN
opening to the kinshps OF the human race and to
The many other interweaviDgs or GODS providence
which bind us together and inspire in US real
interest In other meB's alars. These knshps
are especially marked in n country politically SO
constituted as ours, and where there Is always en-
opportunity for asserting them. We enjoy great
personal freedom, but We must be careful always TO
keep 1t within The bounds OF law. II must be
watched and cared for. This great calamity which
has beallen sister city forces upon us the fact
that we great nationality ana that none can
go under the cloud without its shadow resting upon
all, The Doctor offered a brief apology for bringing
into the pulpit subject that might not be consid
cred to icguma.ely belong there. lie had no faith
he said, III the Kind OF preaching whcn snatched at
every calamity as godsend for a sensation;
but on the very front OF tins Calamity
stands out the Divine interposltlon spoken
OF In the text. Except the Lord keep the city the
watchmsn waketh but In vain, Tie Geographical
position Of Chicago was next described. bounded
by the lake and by the prairie, u seemed 20 be ad
mirably situated 10 insure safety, yet It has been
swept away III couple OF days. Who Will ques-
ton t1at this is Of God lie who has been so long
forgotten lifts The curtain anl walks the streets OF
| ite Western metropolis IN His CLOAK OF flame. aud
the people are compelled 10 pause In ther heaiiolg
| career -ar sS-~s--e q ~A-Sss.
| AND LOOK AT GoD.
We have admired the wonderful growth OF that
CITY, aud. sai,i the speaker riding over he prairie
recently, II seemed 10 me there was limit to the
grospe.liy and greatness and extension VI the Queen
| City oil The West. Nine miles or prairie from
! one entire limit 10 another entire limit, give
| ner abundant room for expansion. Her prosperity
| has been In large degree prosperity. and he
adversity must be ours also He disabused the mind
DIVINE alliicton, caused W the greater sin OF Chi
cago. "Inink you, he asked, In the words Of the
saviour 'that those eigh cen upon whom tie Tower
OF SLOAN fell were sinners Above all the dweilers
In Jerusl!emr Not ut all. This calamity was not
| designed Tor Their punishment. but was permitted
as an adinoniton 10 us, VINO n we repent not must
likewise suffer- II has ils lesson for us-we Illay
great temptation OF life is over.Fegard for the mate
rial. so that school Of thinkers have sprung up
among us who have taken 10 themselves tho name
or positives: aud all or rs have taken in orr blood
the faint OF this form Of nhdelity The tniugs that
are visible have been our admiration, ana
| WE HAVE roRgoTTES THE INVISIBLE
we have stood IN the midst of that great Western
get along without THIS cy7 sitting here as she does
between the prairie and The sea-betwecn the great
brcad-growink acres OF the West and the multitudes
who require to he fed In the East aud in the Old
World now can she he spared from the cities OF the
] earthy The Doctor then culogzed labor, ana re.
marked that all the WORK of BRAIN or hand Is from
God, aud IL Is hiuhdcf " separate God from work.