, 1873-04-21

Yesterday evening tho Nev. John Il. Peck, late
Of Springfield, Mass, delivered his first sermon
at tho Centenary Church, to which he waa
rocontly called. This newcomer to Chicago
is a tal aark-hairod and hno-looking
man, with commanding forohoad and IN ex-
cellont and well-managed yoico. He wns intro
ducod by DR.. Fowler.
He said: In tho Flowory Kingdom young
mnn had an unseen bride selected for him. On
the weddlngday ho was permitted to lift tho voil,
and then came tho peculiar feelings the first
sight inspired. Ho, too, came to receive lia
bride, and to look upon her face, md il they
folt rs much pleasure in that iutercnange Of
glancos as he did, thoy wore happy.
Ho intended to proach no intro
ductory sermons, as his predecessor did no fare
vol one. Persons laying down rules in intro
tluctory sermons woro apt to break thom in q
week. A Chicago preacher had said in Brooklyn
that tho measure of prophets success depend
cd On tho sympathy ho was received with. Crit
ioism Was natural, but ho hoped they would sus-
pond it for six weeks and liston to the sermons.
His text WIS taken from Solomons Song, nnd
roferred to tho Christian Church. The most
beautiful passages Of human speech gonnod
the Biblo; tlore WIS no need to hunt for gems
Ell Dorado Of them in the Bible? And what
description waB more glowing that than Of tho
Bride Of the church as solomon gayc her looking
upon tho world, terrible as m army with bannors
John hal.nlao aeen her, but in her royal state.
thronod and crowned. Such were tho poetic i'm
personations OF tho Church. No sect monopo-
tizcd the Bride Of tho Lamb. All denomina-
tiona Of real Christians merged their distinctions
Christ as in tho spectrum all colors woro blended
into ono. All whose hearts wore guest chambers
for Christ united to compose that Church.
Dwellcrs in all cllmes, men and women in all con-
dtlons Of nfe learned q, 9nd nnlNane se made np
msditating OH that Church, they must conEcion-
tiouny measure their conformity to the standard
| OF tho ideal Church member.
Over the world sin and death brooded till God
opened the door Of covenant with this people,
| oven covering tho world With beams Of hope.
| Adam saw faint Gleam in tho East, and Noah
saw, ruddior glow, Tue prophet saw
dsSssa spsnao1 oa pans s sss
Higher still rose tho gates in Christ's assurance
| of tho aid OF tho Holy Ghost to tho Church. Man
was d religious boing, and demanded Light. The
hopo of the world was in tho Church, which gavo
tho Diblo. Through tho Church, Gods otornal
Was Was in hsr custody. Without hor tho world
| would relapse into barbarian. Tho Church,
aanotfying all other institutions, could alone aid
The Church pioneered the ndvanco-tle oiyili-
gation. She was the light Of tho world, dlssl-
rating the moral darkness Of man. The only
| EGQulll6 uRut CAutp lIQlA tub DIplt NlluOub 4kp
man gropel blinlly at midday. Without it,
scholars and philosophers wore at SEQ. All phil
osophy had taught Of the Immortality of the soul
was . porhaps. Christianity taught q certainty.
| Christians Ind no doubts.
Error could not stand tho light The empire
Of idolatry waa crunbling. superatitlon and
inldelisy hated tho light Of religion which
destroyed their dynastieH auf Bcbomes,
and was destined to overthrow tho
pillars Of thor greatest tomplos and their hopes
Of gam. Hence tho efforts to drive tho Diblo
from tho schools, logalizo brothols, fail to oh
serve tue Sabbath, md put in a more natura'ism
| in place Of Christianity, They knew II the lat-
| tor succeeded universally it would grind tllom to
dust, and they did vol to hato it. Yhoy could
not stand tho light with which Christianity was
flooding the world. What was NODDED waa more
| light. II mons morals were wrong, pour II. tho
light Of 0odly example. Tho work Of OhsiatlanB
WIS to ilunlno;; Christianity pointed
| out tho truo God. Tho way WAS dark
| in the world, and mon were going to ruin, dying
In tue city without knowledge Of sins forgiven.
More light WAS needed. Heayon cyon was dinily