The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-11
FIFTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Anniversary Of tho Young Mems Social and
Benevolent sociesy-Infercsting Services
Sermon by tue Rev. DIR. Adams on s.True
(sreatness.o
The Fifth avenue Presbyterian church last even
Ing, on the occasion OF the anniversary OF social
and benevolent society formed of the young men OF
the congregation, was quite we'll filed. The
old and young were there, and espe.
cially were there present a great many
young men and women. In the pulpit sat three
venerable pastors, whose heads are streaked with
hair of a svery hue-the Rev. DR.. Adams, Dr.
Hall and Dr. Alexander and whose labors are well
known TO the p0us folk Of the Scottish kirk in New
York. AT the opening Of the services Dr. Hail an
nounced hymn, which was sung by the audience.
Dr. Alexander then delivered an impressive prayer
and read from the Scriptures the twentieth chapter
OF St Matthew. Another hymn followed to the beau.
tiful tune Of 'Harwicn." The Rev. Dr. Adams then
began MS sermon, taking for the subject st. Mat.
thew, Xxx, 20 and 27-"But 1t shan not be so among
you: but waosoever viii be great among you, let
him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief
among you. let MIN be your servant" He said,
NEW ROLE OF LIFE
Is here pr0pOunded by the Son OF God. That which
Immediately followed this declaration proves how
confused were the notions OF the disciples OF our
Lord regarding His future Intentions. IL was not
strange that some ideas OF personal ambition
should mlngle with their thoughts and that
there should be swimming, as It WERE In their
lot when lie the King OF Heaven should come 10
His own In suoh case we can readily excuse In
mothers heart the feeling which gave rise to her
request that her two sons should sit with the
Saviour In His glory, the one on The right hand and
the other ON the left. They were led
away by mistaken conceptions Of Chrisrs royal
promotions. In His answer to this RI request
that there Will be no royal promotion or no degrees
OF promotion. lie shows that they have not true
idea OF that by which such promotion may be OBJ.
tanned. Not knowing the rul bitterness OF
the cup that He was to drink they an.
swered that they were able ., to endure endure
snip OF suffering BY which they should alone
enter the kingdom-the constituted reward OF true
greatness. The occasion had come when Our Lord
should propose His especial doctrine In regard
10 greatness. It had for long time before been
esteemed as authority power, offlcc. But 1t shall
not be So He says; and here we have IN boldest con-
uast the universal thought upon this subject and
sELE-ExALTATIoN AND sEJF.DEBAsEMENT,
the one represented by kings and rulers; the other
by Jesus Christ.
The reverend preacher illustrated the innnitude OF
ambition that hungeTs and thirsts for power ana
human applause by the examples OF Alexander and
conquer and the latter desired friend 10 eulogze
him alter his death, even at the expense OF
truth, making the excuse that the letter by which
he made this request could not plush the love OF
admiration, applause, pleasure, possession. the
pride OF Independence, self indugence, luxury
military power, not for tho purpose OF dispensing
light and liberty, peace and prosperity, aud SO
Read his history In nations eyes,
but wnen the lie IL gone, 70 nave tho aaQ " halt