National Republican., 1873-09-29
ASSEMBLY PRESBYTERIAN CurRou.
sermon by Rev. Geera. n I,,,.

W.
When Dr. Boynton left this church the Rev,
Geo. o. Little, Of Indiana, was called and visit
70 the old Assembly will well repay our readers.
Mr. lhtuo represents the new, fresh, younp
sohoOi OF dialcctics; the yigor OF the West itali
cised In the East. lie comes East a. A new
Beecher, aud reminds one In his pointed slmlles
and apt Illustrations Of the famous prootIyn
preacher. In person he Is attractive, with A
resonant voice, and certain way OF Injecting a
uuth, or sentence, or phrase In the brain, never
70 DC forgotten. The music OF the church IL OF
tue pest IN the city. Prof. Fairlamb the COM
poser, has charge OF II, and, with his choir of
boys, IN addition to a double quirtet,o OF such
singers as Madam Falrlamb, Mrs. Louderbacs,
Miss Morrell, Miss Lehman, Nj. John t,oiisboro.
Mr.. Lynde, Mr.. lockwood and others, there Is n
certain aud constant treat OF the beat OF the
cathedral music OF England. which seems to be
Especially OF Mr.. Fairlambs choir. The church
was well nled yesterday. The following Is a
synopsis OF
THE SERMON,
II Timothy, El6.is, '"rhe Lord give mercy unto
rae , nov MOUSE o. oneslpnorus; for he oft refreshed
Ject: "a Demonstratvo Affection
The inspired pen gives but one trait In Onesi-
pnofns. History furnishes no particulars con-
eerning him. lie was probably q merchant at
Ephesus, where he became acquainted with
Padl, AMI there he oft refreshed him by his Kind
ness. Years after, being At Rome In attendance
upon some business analrs, at the time Of Paul's
Imprisonment, he renewed his kindncss, and
drew forth the commentator OF the text, ian
inspired picture hung In the Lords treasure
house till ne comes to mske up his frienis) .'He
was not ashamed OF my chain. But when ne
aud found me-"
He thus becomes an example OF what I wish
70 TAX about to-day, namely: a monstratiye
Affection IN the household OF falth-that IA, the
Church; Let US look at II nrst rs a luxury. A
a IA
yond the necessities OF life. When life il a
struggle for bare subsistence, then the persons
so struggling are bound down by rigid rules Of
economy, as Is seen In the case OF a shipwreck
when the crew s put on short rations, When
tue extremity begins TO pass away they begin to
loosen INC rules, and bring In something not
luxuty-from "iuro," "lo loosen"
demonstratiye affection Is a luxury to per-
sons so situated that they eau command all that
the fact that II refreshes the life, rather than
supports II. As refreshing sleep Ia often more
needed than food, so the refreshing kindness Ia |
often , OF greater value than more material pro-
The Christian light Of the church greatly needs
LOT lts own enjoyment the refreshing that Onesi-
Phorous gave TO Paul. Fixed rules cannot be
laid down for this, but II may be manifested
!. By the shaking Of the hand aud the inter- |
change OF kindly greetings when meeting on the
street, or when assembling for worship, or at
the close OF service not nlng OF in stali process
sion, but lounglng long enough to tell or learn |
many little things about each othor or each |
DINERS homes. aud allow the minlsser time to |
get down among them and feel he is one OF
them, AMI be helped and encouraged by their |
kind expressions and resolves.
.. by tue exhibition OF a cordial intlm lcy he |
tween the members OF the church IN ali the wlys
that social life affords.
8. BY the talking together often OF their splr- |
ltusl condition and experiences. "Times OF re-
freshing" are always times OF mutual Interest in
and knowledge OF one another.
DKNossrRATIvE AFFECTION A NECESSITY.
When people are temporarily or perpetually
unable to command what they need, a demon. |
strauve anecilon Is no longer luxury, but be- |
comes necessity. This Paul refers to when he |
says "hc was not ashamed OF his chain." lie |
was In rigorous conflnement--nO longer intle- |
pendent OF others, as when he could work at his |
trade, but dependent upon them. Paul's chain
Is type OF any disadvantage. or trouble. or dis
ability that falls upon Christians and makes
nsm rn,a ~, 70 spme degree dependent upon others
mind, or OF the heart, aui actually ncfsis help |
Suffers without 1t. KIND attentions to these have
bee Jme necessity. |
CONCLUSION.
The text teaches that demonstratlye affection
will be enhanced by the time, effort aud perse- |
yerance that characterizes It. Paul SAYS Of his |
friend that he "very diligently sought him out |
and found him" Deeds Of Kindness often cost |
little, but sometimes great deal. They are a |
work and labor OF love. Paul was In great city; |
he was hated for his preaching OF the new sect:
little would be known OF him, and what little |
was known would cast suspicion on those who |
Inquired for him; his Keepers would not be very
accommodating 10 his visitors. Onesiphorus
pressed.his way through all the opprobrium aud
danger attending the search, and overcome ali
the dif1eultes III the way and commented his
love by his efforts.
II the, Church waits for cases of need to come
to Its doors It may wait forever. Ii must no 10
their doors through many ENGAGEMENTS and
Efforts; II must go often to pave the way for en- |
trance. The Church Is too much afraid to show
attention TO strangers and sufferers; it must seek
them out diligently II II would ind them Wbtn
II finds them II not only helps them, but beneIts
selves and their households. Washington, a,
well as Rome, needs many like OneslphOTul-ths
friend In need and the friend In deed