The New York herald., 1872-12-23
PRESBYTERIAN MEMORIAL CHURCH.
Ceremonies at the Opening Of the New
Edifcc-Scrmon by the Rev. Charles >.
Rnhins0u-EyeninR Exercises.

Ceremonies at tho Opening or the New
Edifcc-Scrmon by the Rev. Charles >.
Robinson-Evening Exercises.
The opening exercises OF the Presbyterian Me-
mortal church-a name given in honor oil the COM
bnation between the old and new school Presby-
terians-on the corner OF Fifty street and
Madison avenue, took place yesterday. In the
morning the pastor, Rev. Charles S. Robinson,
preached to an audience which quite filed the large
and spacious edifce, on the subject,
1.-THE GOSPEL NO SHAME"
Taking for his text Romans /, Is, 16-"So much as
in me is, l am ready to preach the Gospel to you
that are at Rome also; Tor am not ashamed OF the
Gospel OF Christ" He said:-Looking as we must,
from long education and habit upon the religion Of
Jesus Christ as the principal source of human
blessing, civil and personal, we can hardly ap-
preciate the necessity OF so formal an announce
ment as this In the text. The Apostle
Paul in inditng letter and promising
visit to the Imperial capital takes occasion to say
he Is not ashamed to preach sermon there upon
the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures.
And we find ourselves ready to ask why should
he be In answering the question the reverend
gentleman drew vivid picture of
THE wICKEDNEss AND INTOLERANCE
which prevailed in Rome at the time, and chal-
lenged admiration for the show Of moral courage
preach the Gospel OF Christ even in the
capital city OF such an abominable en-
plre OF sin. He next noticed the superior
intelligence OF Rome The intellectual advance
ment OF that ge which Paul would have to meet
there, the contempt In which the Jews were held,
and above all a Christian Jew, whose religion was
more distasteful to the Romans than the old re-
llgion based on the law-these were portrayed as
anon the things which Paul would have to meet
there and which he was ready to face. He
then proceeded to consider, "Are there none in
these days Of ours who get ashamed OF the Gospel
OF Christ?' Feeble were its advocates then; many
then; the world knows all about 1t now. For more
than eighteen centuries this letter to Rome has
body loves love- It. He spake Of the new measures pro-
posed for the regeneration of the race, as II the
old faith once delivered to the saints were dead.
lie recountcd Paul's successes and called upon the
Church Of the living God to
LEARN HERE HER LESSON.
The Gospel is still achieving still pursung.n
There viii always be those who shrink away from
the constant situation Of the invitation which God
has sent to our dying races. Some rbald tongue
come. @ poor. sinner come" style Of oratory. is
there any need OF denying this Is 1T
The churches should stand by the preachers in the
simplicity OF faith. There are Romans everywhere,
and equally ntolerant, and yet the truth did the
work In Rome. Alter enlarging upon the duty OF
the Church he said 81 make
THE SOLEMN PROCLAMATION
today In the earliest sermon. / preach from the
pulpit OF this church OF the purpose with which
enter, and shall occupy II while 1t Is my privilege
TO minister. SO much as in me is am Geady to
preach the Gospel to you who are In New York
also, for am not ashamed OF the Gospel OF Christ
He concluded by showing the necessity Of pure
gospel everywhere and praying that Gods spirit
would acknowledge His own message and accom-
pany His own word.
THE EVENING EXERCISES.
The church was again filled in the evening and
the exercises proved OF great interest, there being
present, representative clergynen Of the various
evangelical denominations, who addressed the
audience. After the usual religious exercises the
pastor, DR.. Robinson, stated that no set sermon
would be delivered, but the congregation
would be favored by addresses from the
various ministers present. He then intro
duced the Rev. Dr. I. >. Hastings, OF the
West Presby tcrian church, who gave an interest
ing sketch OF church building and Of Presbyt
churches in the city. lie was followed by Dr. O.
d. Foss, OF the Fourth avenue Methodist Episcopal
church, who spoke OF the love OF God for His
Church. This gentleman's remarks were very
eloauenty delivered and created marked effect.
Rev. Mr.. w. " i'annze and Mr.. Hepw0rth followed