, 1874-09-21

Sermon by TIM REV. DR.. Locic, of Grnc'
{tf.trrtt.

Sermon by thu REV. DIR. L0cisc, ef Grncc
Church.
DR.. Locke Rector Of Graco Church, preached
yesterday morning as follows on the roccnt Con-
yantion;
Aud as they went through the clties they delivered
them thu decrees Tor to keep that were Urtla'ed of
lo Apostles aud Elders which wcro Ut Jcrusalcnl..
diets Ipt.t !.
Ono Of the greatest elories and ono Of The
deepest slia1nes of tlo Church ol God aro her
councils. The paradox may ecem to you atrong
but 1t is easily explained. Ono OF the greatest
glorios, because in those august assemblies tho
Catholic faith LAS been set forth and estabiah-
cd, tue discipline OF tho Church has beeu regu-
lated aud thoao orgauic.law by which bcr unity
and her lifo have beou prosorycd 'hayo boon
wisely discussed aad firmly founded. Quo at tho
greatest enamcs, because often IN tue cxcitement
Of debate and tho deep intcrcat Of the questions.
the worst pasaions havo been aroused and there
layo boon tho most nloutufu exhibitions of hatred
aud riIdlctlsencss. am not proposing now to
speak OF the stlamc. Let tho entmes, Of tho
Church do TINT, aud lot LII acknowledge tho
weakness Of human nature, nnd tho imperfcc-
tionB Of tho most oxAlted pioty., propose
bricily to nkotch tho grandeur and lilo glory OF
aonle councils of tile ancient days, aud then.
loapng oyor tho centuries, to show lts Rabstan-
Enlargement with tho councils WHICH tho Church
still holds, OF necessity thcro must bo councils Of
tho Church that will meet aud compare their
views On all subjects in which thoy hayo common
interoat above MI on srcl, aub1oc rs the will of
God III the Acts Of the Holy Apostles, tho out
limo Of the tlrBt Christian council IL giScn com,
posed rs ours was, Of Bh'hop, Elders and laymon.
Scripture shows tle Hlshop Of Jearusalom al,nl-
ming up the docroos exactly Al would now 30
dono.
Dnt lot a,s tor no,nont look at That council
which wo caii the first general council, Hrmmon-
cd by tho Emperor CONSTITUTING in tho year 325,
in tho beautiful City Of MEGA, Asia Minor. and
maao necessary by tho wild thoorlcu and the over
tho awful doctrine Of the Divinity OF Jesus
Christ our Savior. Three hundred aud eighteen
Bishops. from all parts Of the Empire Of Rome.
assembled to grace 1t. and they woro attended by
moro than 1000 Priests aud DoaconB. On fta
throuo, as Its President. sat The Emperor Of the
world, representing tho lny elomeut. / do not
propose to cntcr into 1ts debates sntllco 1t to
say that it got forth that Nicono crood Which ovor
Conatantnopla, has been everywhere rccitcd In
the Church. Catholic an tho symbol of our faith
IN triuno God
I wish to call yonr attention to tito scono. Tic
ruins OF tho hall in which TINT council mot are
Htill marked by q few oo1umns OIL the shore OF
tho lake. Along tho wulls wero ranged chairs
for tho DinlopA anl bouuhes for tho lower Or
tlers. In tho coutro Of tao room on m
altar, was placed MI opon copy OF tho
Holy Scriptures as tho nearest ap-
But cyary eve waa iixea on tho small gilt chair
of wood at tho upper end, aud suddenly waving
torc!. ANNOUNCED tint ita occupant was coming.
Constantine ertornst> His lofty stature, Ills
hrOnd shoulders. bis handsome features, wero
worthy Of lila grand position. AL nblnxo with
diamonds sud sol.l embroidery, lc PASSED up tLo
hull batwoen tlio ranks Of Bishops, and took Lis
place bofora tAoHo venerable mon. There rushed
oyDr bis mind all that thoy Ind dono aud sulforc4t
Tor The Church, tl,oro wore ayon tAoHe wn
lad boon torn by tho yory lous OF the a1nphithea-
tre, aud rescued only With their lives. aud oil
rathor than ronoutlco Christ. Tho E1npelor'A
check orimsonod. Ito ca.t down Lis oyes; hls
stBp faltercd mud when llo reached hia chair e
atuod nlotioalcss till tho bishops begged him ta
bo Huutod f1o did no. and all followed his OK.
amplo. Then lle aroao. aud Ia imperial Latiu,
aud With that gontlo and sweet yoico peculiar to
Alm he addressed thom. l cauuot give lie
speoch horo In full. II onaed with these n1omor.
ablo vords: "Do not, thon, delay, my .rionds-.
do not delay, Min1atotH of God anl good eer.
wants of our common Lord aud Hayfor-to 70.
move all grounds OF 1liforonco aud tn wind ur
by laws OF peace every link Of controversy.
Thlia will you klayo done what ia most pleasing
to tho God who Is over all, nut you mill rondel
| tho grentost toon to mo, your follow-torvast."
YIon followed tin (lobatos--lpng, ofteu acri.
n,onioua. often hotly-oontoHtod, aud nt Inst the
agreotnunt aud tlle common subscription. Oneo
moro tloy stood boforo tho Emperor
| anu 10 beaouglt them o,ico moro
ia be tolerant to those who differed from lam
to ALLOW tor human inilymltleB and, nboYo all
thinga 10 plfxo concord. IIo asItod thoir pray
ers llo knelt for tleir banodlctou Slany
beautiful logend clustorH around this council.