The New York herald., 1871-09-11
81. piiL.s REFORMED CHURCH.
Ecopca aina with the Full and Blessed Gcsne

Ecopcain1 with the Full and Blessed Gospel
Of !i'r st-Scrnon by Rev. Dr.. Thompson.
After nearly three months vacation the pastor
ana people OF this church, in ForiIelh street. near
Sixth avenue, assembled yesterday Tor worship and
mutual greetings The members had prepared an
abundant lloral welcome for their pastor. High up
on the chance wall over the communion table In
flowers oil varied hue-, was wrought the words
"Welcomc nome, A. r. T."--ihe Initials Of Dr.
Thompsons name. And suspended from this was
floral heart. On the communion table there stood
lily white cross wreathcd with red flowers, and on
either side large and beautiful bouquets The read
ing desk and the railing and lamps on each side
were tastefully garanded with crosses and wreaths
and bouquets, ana the preacher seemed to be stand.
ing in the midst Of
GARDEN or ROSES
while ne read the Sacred Word and cxpoundcd unto
the people the scriptures The en- ancci wal bore
the Inscription In eve greens either side OF the
pulpit, "Now Is Christ risen" AMI 20 grave where
Is tiny victory ~ The side w.. announced that
Jesus Christ is 'rhc true light ~hich nshteth every
man that cometh into the wofat ami proclaimed
"Gioiy to God IN the nishcst. aud on earth peace
good Will TO men, 1hc prefaicrv service con-
sisted OF ritual condensed from the Protestant
Episcopal Church. The sermon of Dr. Thompson
was based Romans xv., 29--"l am sure that when
l come unto you l shall ccmc In the funcss OF Tho
blessing OF the Gospel Of Christ" Paul makes in
this eplstle positive point in his ministry not
10 bnild on another mans foundation. lie had
not planted the Church tile seven hills,
and It is not known even now who did, for when
Peter preached his first and great sermon On the
day OF Pentecost there were devout strangers from
Rome present ut Jerusalem. Whoever founded tnat
Church, Paul cloquently. courteousy aud clearly
changes his tone toward them and speaks advsiDqly
to them rather than as lnstructing or controlling
them. He desired, ere he finished his life worx to
stand before them and declare the life work OF the
King or Kings and Lord Of Lords In all Its funess
and blessing He had presentiment that he should
preach Chrisl's Gospel at Rome and he tried 80 TO
arrange the time that he might visit that city when
scever ne took hts journey Into Italy. He did not
want to nish his lite here until he had preached TO
the people OF Rome also; but lie Oil not want to
Luiid Oh anoher mans foundation. lie woul 20
ALWAYS As CBRIsr's PREACHER;
but he would go In the uness or the blessing OF the
Gospel OF Christ. Here we arc shown wnlt Paul's
hapit was. lie was not at ali abasncd BY the power
and greatness OF Rome, the capital and mistress OF
tue word; but with the heroism wnicn sustained
and which compelled him to adventure himself into
me theatre at Epnesus nc was ready TO stand before
derstand this wonder III man. who next AFTER
Cufist, Is thc most remarkable man chat our race
has has, ever Produced; We must examine his uncom.
mon heart and life and see what was the control.
ing motive OF ol! hls actions. lie mad an abiding
consciousness cons taat he was sent by God and was
MN ana since his time have asserted the
snme nnm g. taog and yet the world has treated
man VINO mas left his marx on the world
unless we come to see and TO iee as they did that
they were MESSENGERS OF heaven. But lar deeper
than THIS consciousness OF divine power was tue
controlling spring OF Paus life. II was mat Christ
hai had mercy on him; that Christ whom before he
oi1 not knoW-whcnl ne once Iersccutcl: that
Christ who in marvellous love and in the ntost wOn-
derlui and glorious manner hal stepped cut before
him ana arrested MIN on his way 10 Damascus in.
stead OF allowing him 10 io ow ne bent vi his own
perscC uting passions and go 10 ruin.
CHRIST HAD OvERAwED HIN
with HIS Rorous .0vc aad from, That moment Saul
OF Tarsus became another man. lie was overcome
with the love Of Christ, VINO mad called him wmie nc
was vet blasphelncr and prosecutor ana LIuriOus
and placed him In the ministry. IL ~ grand, an
Intoxicating thing u know that we go N chrisrs
strength on a divine mission; tlat the King
OF Kings has had mercy on you aud with MS
crImsel hands has wa he'd ycu white as snow
and with His love redeemed you. From MS own
personal experience the preacher couu understand
something i the APOSTLES icelIng and realize tho
greatness OF tue salvation Of Chfisr ne needed no.
tbng more now. IL was not merely that Christ had
called INN an sent him forih 10 preach the Gospel;
bur back oi all thIs. tnat Christ had had mercy on
HIN. And there Is nothing more than thus Ia all