The New York herald., 1873-06-09
FIFTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Round OF Change, Full of Interest and
Variety-The Married Statc-Allusion
to the Recent Parricidc-Thc Duties OF
Parents-Thc Obligations Of Public
Men.
The Rev. DR.. John Han preached yesterday at the
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church to large con-
gregation. After the usual services and prayers
the supplication beseechng proyidential dispen-
sation or wisdom to the President OF the United
States and the preservation in ways OF integrity
and freedom from corruption those having the adj
ministration OF power, receiving fervent re-
sponse) Dr. Hall took his text from the Book OF
Joshua, third chapter and concluding words OF the
fourth yerse-"For We have not passed this way
heretofore.r Ii so came to pass. he said, that
some things IN life which bore common and IA
miliar aspect came TO be endowed with novelty
and beauty when one was placed in new conditions
and relations to them, and so IL was in the mani
festatlons of the precious words which God had
given them. Some or them seemed common and
OF no special application until it pleased God to
change the surrounding conditions and relations.
The text which he had read partook, he thought,
OF this general character and admitted OF applica
ton to q numberless series OF conditions and
changes. Life was made up OF continual progress
from change TO change; they were not living in the
present. but rather in the future and their hands,
ike tnOSe OF tnc CuinDers, were ever stretched
above their heads to aid them.
UPWARD AND ONWARD.
They were not, however, to regard this as sign
OF mans unhappy and unsatisfed condition, but
should rather take 1t as q proof OF Gods wisdom
and goodness. There was no sameness in life, no
dun monotony; life was made full OF interest be-
cause it was fun OF variety They might pervert
this feeling in their natures, might grow pettish
and dissatisfied and might strike their heads
THE BARS OF CIRCUMSTANCES
that God placed around them, but 1t was, neverthe.
less, the fact tnat they were ever passing from
such change TO change that the text was always
applicable-"Yc have not passed this way hereto
make in exponndng the text was that for
liked special times ana circumstances When
OF Israel they were about to enter the promised
land. The pillar OF fire had been withdrawn and
they were left to seek guidance BY such ordinary
means as 1t pleased God TO give. Even so, through
all their changes they might be sure that guidance
was provided II they only sought II OF Cod They
should cultivate courage and constancy and be
steadfast TO the end Among the many changes of
life to which the text applied, there was scarcely
sacsed duties and obligations than that OF young
people about TO enter the married state. How
th rWe wes shey iS e1r sqn M state IN
and both for God How often, rather, did not such
marriages result, If not In,
SUCH BLOODY TRAGEDIES
as they had seen In the city last week at least In
lifelong mseries and regretsf How often instead
Of resembling two streams blending harmoniousy
IN one, did they not find married life rather ike
two frozen pools-cod, stagnant and dead In
this new relationship OF life, In thus entering on
way not passed heretofore, the Divine guidance
was especially necessary. Equally important was
the relationship OF life into which parents entered.
They had to guide young llie to check its temper
and restrain its passions. To them was committed
the important task Of bringing the
YOUNG, Plastic CHARACTER
into right mould, so that II might have symmetry
OF form and be without naw. In that most dilicult
task III which they could be engaged they entered