The New York herald., 1873-06-09
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT.
Sermon on the Communion by the Rev.
DIR. Marvin Il. Vincent.

There was large and fashionable assemblagc at
the Church OF the Covenant corner OF Park ave-
nue. and Thirty fifth street. The Rev. DR.. Marvin
r. Vincent, the pastor preached the discourse, MS
subject and text being Philippians ILL.,, 12-"Not
as though had already attained, either were al
ready perfect; but follow after. IL that may ap-
prehend that tor which also | am apprehended OF
Christ Jesus" "If any man." he began sever had
q definite aim in life, IL was ST. Paul. His hopes
and aspirations were summed up in one word
Christ. He expresses desire that he may know
Christ and that he may be 80 filed with
his uncompromising spirit that he may be an
aid TO the Church. lie tells US that he might have
been reasonably proud OF his lineage. education,
endowments and grand opportunities in his pro-
fession but that he only cared for the work OF
Christ He tells them that he Is not already per-
feet 1t is evident that while Paul speaks without
vanity he holds himself as
MODEL CHRISTIAN
This relation IS very lorciby stated by Paul. He
was grasped and seized by Christ. The simile OF
pursuit OF wealth and worldly distinction when
Christ compelled him 10 stop and change that iron
and indomitabc will nom the pursuit Of mere
worldly wealth to the preaching OF those doctrines
which he has taught. chosen vessel, lie was filled
to the brim. Christ was his ali and all. Presenting
at further length the characteristics establishing
Paul as moral Christian, he enforced the duty
devolving on them as PROCESSING Christians TO make
him their example. y was pecnliarly appropriate
to do this on day like the present. wien they
were about TO renew their profession OF Christ
Some fear that they ought not 70 come to
THE COMMUNION TABLE.
The sense OF failure Is upon SUCH When any one
proposes to stay rom the Lords Supper on this ac-
count he dishonors Christ and himself Christian
experience Is not victory but pursuit. Paul ad-
mIs that we often stumble, but he says II is only
the proof a probationary existeRce lnasmuch as
they were likely TO stumble II was their
duty to use ali the means in their power
to help them. II little boy learning
to write, because be should spoil his page with
bots, should throw down his pen would IT be right
for the teacher 10 permit this, No; he would tell
him II he were a good pennlan he would not he
learning to write. And so the Lords supper was
not instituted for
PERFECT PEOPLE
but for poor and erfing men. Christ never treats
his Disciples az perfect men. IL was the duty OF
every one TO consider the whole economy OF Chris
tanity. Prayer Is open to all and belongs to the
Gohultlon OF striving Take preaching, for example.
~ Is not tue entertainment OF congenia minds. 1t
assumes tnat Christian men need instruction. It
Is very Ialsc idea that the church Is sort OF
saints rest, where safe souls look down upon their
brethren struggling In the valley. Consider the Holy
sacrament. We cannot approach IL too seriously
IL Is soldiers rations, not victor's feast IL was
In this spirit that the Jews ate the Passover. 10
was Instituted because OF our weakness Christ