The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-25
REV. JAMES BOYD ON PRAYER.
GcoMAUNIcATRD.l

lCOGAUNlCATBU.I
The attention which has been recently
called to the subject OF prayer, In consequence
OF The proposal made not long since by PROBES
sor Tyndall, that Its benefits should De testeo
In hospital, has given it q new interestto
the world in general. Mr. Boyd has, there
fore, manifested his fidelity as religious
teacher, in taking 1t up at crisis In public
opinion, as he did last sunday morning.
Taking his text from Matthew 26, 80, he be-
gan by presenting the TWO conflicting opln-
Ions held In regard to the efficacy and value
of prayer; the one Insisting upon these as op-
eratiye In procuring any desired results, ana
the other repudialing them entirely, as con-
lrary to the immutaolllty Of the laws OF nature.
He then stated that II should De MS endeaVor
Lu place them upon basis OF mutual recognl'
lion and agreement, as The true Inference 20
be drawn from their existing antagonlsm. III
illustration Of tnis method of dealing win
opposing views in arriving at just conciu-
sion upon any subject, Mr.. BOYD iIstanceo tne
opposite notlOns Lnat have prevailed ta!o
ort slI history in regard 10 The origin of Ideas;
namely. whether these be innate OF the pro-
duct of experience. and showed how an eml.
nent sclenLlst and philosopher OF our DAY mas
ldenLlned cerlaiH underlying lrulns ccbtalueu
| in both OPINIONS as The ground ior ne" Ihe-
ory, which wholly r.j-cts neither, out stlll W
| u CERTAIN extent accepts each. He lhen oy
d,ducuon similarly attained, proceeded 10
| sbow tuat while prayer Is lhe Dalural express
sIuu of human dependence on Almighty power,
and a door of access 10 spiritual truth, IL ls
uuU capable Of procuring specnc Temporal
| layols He explained hence, InaC lts oeneu'
cial results are rather OF the nature ol gene-
raj reflected good TO the suppleator, tnau
| u q
particular requests. Yethe claimed that 1t is
none The iess necessary as q means OF secul-
Ing the gifts Ut the Holy splrlt.
In. Unitarian Church OF Charleston ls nlRn.
| ~ favored In securing the services OF 80 un-
Usual preacher as Mr. Boyd. Evidently fol-
lowing closely In the wake ol tne newest al-
lalume mis- uf our progressive age III tue re-
yiuus Of science and thought, and handling
tbe:n all with a MUD equal TO ihelr compre-
uensive scope and prophetic promise fur man
kiud, he recognizes IL as the sublime 1unc-
ton OF his sacred office 10 blend Them IN mar
mvny with The divine truths Of Chtlsllsuily.
We understand he ID u ScUlcnman by birth. az,
indeed. his accent Indicates. II Ia stated that
he WAS recently vi the broad scnoUl o1 the An
yllcau Church, and occupied for q nunstr OF
Sears q pasloraue under tne distinguished
Bishop COlensO, al Natal, in Africa. On COM
,ny To this country, hudlDg his branch oil The
Episcopal Church almost uurepresruLea In The
American comm6hity, he went over 10 unita-
risuism, as affJruiug wilder sphere of use
lulusss in ils emancipation from lrammrir;
VET OF this Sect he apparently belongs W lne
conservative rather than 10 he exlreme lioera
wing. His usual method is, as on last Sunday,
10 uarmonrze the seemingly cunhlctlug pro-
olems OF science and religion where they are
apparently aL variance. HIS manner IN the
uuioil is earnest, aud his elocution distinct,
Scholarly aud chaste, and especially ca!cu'
lated 10 snchain the Interest and altehllon.
We would advise all who can TO embrace an
opportunity OF hearing lhls gli1ea anu eio-
uuent clergyman.