The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-27
Topics OF Ministerial Thought.

invigorating days that we find scattered
throughout all our Winters in this latitude
and which woos and wins both young and old
from their palaces and tenements to taste and
enjoy the pleasures that God has provided in
nature or in the institutions of the Gospel. 1t
is not surprising therefore, that SO many of
our city churches were filled with worshippers
yesterday.
Among the sermons preached and transferred
to our columns was one by Rev. Dr.. Cuyler of
Brooklyn, at the dedication of the Presbyterian
Memorial church, in Madison avenue. He
discussed the commission of the Saviour to
His disciples to go and preach the Gospel.
This commission he showed was general in its
relations and obligations, and there was no one
appointed over the Apostles "no archbishop,
much less pope" But while the commission
was general it was also special, and was given
DO the individal Christian, and hence, the Doc
tor contended, every Christian has as good
right to preach, and it is as much his duty to
do SO as it is the right and duty of q minister
to do this. But Dr.. Cuyler believes that the rea-
son why conversions are so few and far between
in these days is that eve have very few now
who lead Godlike lives" This expresses but
very partially the reason or the experience in
the case. We believe there are as cody men
and women living to-day as have lived in any
age Of the world, and more of them, too, than
any other age could produce. But there are
reasons of an intellectual and social character
rs well as religious reasons which make the
preaching of the Gospel Of these days less
effective in certain localities than it was in
the days of the Apostles. The circumstances
are changed, and the Gospel is not now new
thing to the world as it was eighteen centuries
ago, and hence more people hear the 'joyful
sound to-day with Indifference than heard it
from the lips Of the Apostles. But to every
one that believeth it is now as it was then,
~'the power of God unto salvation
"Joy. the Chief Thing in Religion" was
the theme chosen by Mr.. rockingham. He
showed that he had no sympathy whatever
with the melancholy, long presentation
of Christianity. Nor have we. ga joyless
faith" as he declared, sis no faith at all
Beliefs that do not exhilarate are not fit to be
called such. Human nature blackens and per-
ishes in gloomy beliefs" But in the analyza-
ton of the sensation which we call Joy Mr.
rockingham finds that it is mostly matter
of temperament, and the relation existing be-
tween belief and temperament has never
been found" And if the proposition
stated is correct there is no need to
look tor this relation at ALL since,
should we find it, we cannot materially
affect either the temperament or the be-
iefs of men. And, besides. the world has
produced too many examples Of naturally
austere temperaments who were among the
most joyous Christians to allow us to believe
that faith is mostly or to any appreciable ex-
tent q matter of temperament.
Rev. DR.. Holme presented the financial
bearing of practical religion or the consecra-
ton of ones substance to the Lord as the
sure road to wealth. The Doctor showed that
the principles of industry, frugality humility
and unfihching integrity that secure success
in business are essentially the principles Of
the religion Of Christ.
The utter impossibilty of serving God and
mammon was illustrated by Rev. DR.. A. R.
Thompson, who inculcated perfect trust in
God, who careth much more for us than He
the field, whom He continually supplies. The
Doctor protested against the conduct Of men
who forget that, with all their money, they
: are still the servants of God, who openeth His
hand and satisfeth the desire Of every living
thing.
The foundation of the Christian Church OF
the rock of perfect truth, its immutability and
ultimate triumph were the thoughts presented
by Rev. DR.. Flagg. Faith in Jesus, it is true
is NO common belief. It incites to perfec
manhood below and to everlasting beatitud
in the great hereafter God covers the be
lever "with the shadow of His Christia,
wing, and what edifce built in that holy shad
shall fallp" The foundation Of God standet
sure, and the Church resting on that foundn
ton cannot be moved.
The Bible everywhere takes for granted tina
men have opinions about religion, and henc
addresses men such inquiries as "Why halt y
between two opinions?" Mr.. Hepworth ad
dressed the same inquiry yesterday to his pee
pie, and pressed home upon the hearts an
consciences of business men their inconsi'
tency in hating between two opinions whe
the claims of Christ and religion are presented
hut what they do for worldly gain they can d
quickly and earnestly. There is no wisdom
he maintained, in indecision, and hence b
urged the people to have purpose throug
life and TO let that purpose be to serve Chris
Dr. CULVER, of Binghamton, demonstrate
from the Scriptures that prayer might |
tested, aud that it might be so tested f