The New York herald., 1873-09-01
CHRIST CHURCH.

The Word OF God Christ's Instrume ntal-
ity for Salvation-Sermon by the Rev.
Charles f. ID. Grihth.
The beautiful weather Yesterday morning drew
many from their homes to the elegant temple on
Bedford avenue Brooklyn, in which the Rev. A. II.
Partridge ministers, although the close, humid at
mosphere prevented some from attending who
would otherwise have done so. The music was
under charge Of Mr. william Richardson, the
accomplished organist assisted by volunteer
choir directed by Mr.. Henry M. Bartlett and was
well rendered. The 'Te Deum," by Jackson, was a
special feature. The rector conducted the SER
vices to the Creed and the visiting clergyman the
Rev. G. E. d. Griffith connected with the Protes-
,ant Episcopal Missions in Kansas then proceeded
with the service, taking his text from Isaiah w.,
10, IL.
He began by instancing the equal vehemence OF
men and OF God in declaring the
READINESS OF THE CREATOR TO PARDON
the iniquty OF His creatures. There are men who
realize the hideousness Of sin. the degrading
power OF all rebelious assaults on God, and who
cannot see how 1t is possible for wickedness such
as all men commit to be forgiven. 1t is for this
class such strong assurances OF pardon and mercy
are given, God even confirming 1t by an oath,
swearing by Himself. Mercy to sinners was His
purpose from the day OF transgression In Eden,
and that purpose Is Interchangeable. IL was formed
into the Word, written and sure. And this Word
made the divine agency to produce peniJence
that should appropriate mercy.
The rain falls, pure and refreshing from heavens
fountains, with stain OF earth, but instinct with
life giving power. SO comes the Word from Gods
pure and holy fountains Of love. 1t is recorded i'm
perishably-man'the instrument, God the speaker
True, the Word records human weaknesses and
SINS but 1t them as We ought to--for
INSTRUCTION AND REPROoF
Further, God makes use OF hlble, even wicked
men,to disseminate his Word. he spoke as force
fully through David, the murderer and adulterer,
as through David the guileless shepherd boy
Those who recorded Gods words were not mere
organs, made vocal by another's breath, but
they perceived and accepted for them
selves the truths they proclaimed. God
words again partake OF their individuality. Isaiah,
with his directness; Jeremiah, with his figures
and intense pathos, and st. John, with his sim.
pcity and affection, each, in his own way, illus
trated this fac.. No impcrfection OF Christ's hui
manity dlms His divinity; so speech, the human
element, does not mar the truth OF Gods Word IL
is purified from error as the water is purified in
natures laboratory while ascending from the
sparkling spring and the Shiny pool; from tine
purltng brook and the masmatlc morass;
rom the bread, lmpid lake and ocean
and the pcstilential swamp and stag
nant bayou. The rain and tho snow
do not return void, but accomplish their work.
The speaker here INDUCED In beauhful delinea-
ton OF the action OF the rain drops and the dew
concluding by the application that Gods promises
accomplish like work In the soul, causing
THE GREEN SPOTS IN THE DESERT or LIPE
and giving vitalizIng power to the Word, even as
ule 8enle sun Eyes yltalizl9g power " tli lains