, 1872-12-23

a Sermon Preached by the Rev. John
Woods, in the Ninth Presbyterian
Church Yesterday Evening.
Rev John Woods, recently called to tnEe
charge the Ninth Presbyterian Church, Ellis
avenue, near Thirty-seEenth street, preached
last evening about 1.-THE Angels Chorus" At
the conclusion of the usual exercises Of singing
and prayer, the preacher addressed his congre-
CATION as follows:
THE sEnMoz.
~ t9 God God II the highest and on earth
1t impossible to read the story Of sayors na-
vy without at feeling that we are in the region
to be intent upon the scene. There is mystery upon
mystery. The chariot Of God comes down more fire.
quent than in al The ages past It Is said that angels
down to earth it was fitting that his way should be
prepared sud his coming beralded by the attendants
but heaven pierced the disguise Of lowness, and saw
in the babe OF Bethlehem the Lord Of Glory. Christ
Is hs my aads y Mhqso m foot If
and On which angels pass and repass in their holy min
istries. Gabriel the angel Of the presence, comes
announcing to ZachariaH the birth Of John, aud to
Mary the birth Of Jesus. Celestial vtsitants hover
around, and though
''Cold on his cradle the dow.drops shining"
the brightest Of Heavens throng isdan not to etnnd
to witeza for her Lord. Eastern sages have always
studied the starr Hth peculiar devotion. They were
sa ssT:. xstae % fas II s.e ss
ef 3he universe, and seeming to md ana
influence upon human character and destiny. Them
star led to the cradle Of Jesus and they bring
M 1o a e 9nsea
The Persian magii were guided by star. To the
ealilean shepherds cleaser token was given. The
thsir thar docks by night. His form was one Of heavenly
radiance, and they trembed with apprehension, as
thgh ths M about to 30 a fna
Of reassurance and JOY. Glad tidings he brought
to their Unto you is born this day the City
Of David Savior, which ts Christ the Lord" The
messenger had scarcely ceased when au the air was
alled Nth Aght and melody. d. lnnumesaola mum sweet
Of aSoate
for joy ut the dsn Of creation, had there been such
throng heavens nhabitanta lowering in these lower
burst Of heavenly praise that which the shepherds
heard floating On the midnight air over the sleeping
village It was the chorus q the angels The song Of
Il seems to me lifting that We should take up the
song q thankagving and Joy. At this q tho
thoughts are turned to the Aagsnt s and a d s
IL the ett Of H. son of tha lie and immortality
1empf.tioa fai e ths holy ehd jesus in Hs heavenly
Innocence and diEine humility.
Would that 1t might ndle in our hearts such fire.
Of love and gratitude, that the same doxology should
burst from our lips, dlor1h N E1celsla thRs would
cholr It is hymn worthy Of the angels, expressing
the greatest and most blessed TRUTHS, We
scarcely know hQW to unfold the wealth OF
meaning that lies contained In the chant that broke IN
full chorus from the heavenly host alory to GOD IN
the highest aad en goed It, antoE -
redemption in whose love this gift of Divine Savior
had its source snd uspraon whose character as GOD
OF love and pity revealed In it, and whote wisdom and
God is glorIhed In Jesus Christ. His glory Is made
manifest. In Him the invisible is imaged. The be-
loved disciple testhes We saw His glory the glory as
Of tbs on1y-begotten Of the Father. In Jesus
the infinite puts gn the form a9d measure
nane with God. Tho problem Of all theology, and Of
all philosophy too, is to find the point Of contact be-
tween God and the universe-b2tWeen the Infinite
Spirit and the human soul Some cannQt find this
point which the Creator touches His creation, and
they remove God far away. They Danish Him from
the world and from all concern In Its AFFAIRS Because
they cannot see the hand that moves al thngs they
say the universe is mighty clock that moves ITSELF
has always been and the swing OF its great pendu-
there arc others ho have deep sense Of the Divine
presence. God IS everywhere not simply lnterpene-
trattpg all things and upnldng all, but being all.
The phenomena Of the universe gre but modes Of the
is the boundless fathomess ocean OF being. We, and
n creatures that VIC around US, greater and
more insignificant than aFe but the waves and
the bubes cast upon the surface Of this restless sea;
But Christ is revelation to the world Of present
God He comes to tell uB Of the Father whose children
ne all are, and Of His love toWard uB. He tells us
how God Ia spirit and yet the hearer Of prayer how
with sincerity q heart how He Is pure, holy so
good, that to GA Father IN Heaven is tt be per-
feet and to be in fellowship with Him ia infinite bless
sdness. Il not God glasaasd through sueh royela-