New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-16
TIE TESTS OF CHRISTIANITY.
B,sh2p CsmmtHs at Stsinu

TIE TESTS OF CHRISTIANITY.
B,sh2p Ssinoay HaA
Bishop Cummins of the Reformed Eplscopai
Church preached to a large congregation at SUBWAY
Hall, yesterday afternoon. from the text; NV wordS
shall not pass away" Luke XXI 49,
lie said: Thus spake Galiloean peasant 1900 years
ago as ho stood on Mount OF Olives in sight OF Jeru-
salem and all s glory He had predicted the downfall of
the city, and said that of the glorious temple not one
stone should be upon another and added the sign
cant words: "Heaven and earth shall pass away but
my words shall not pass away" This Ia the
nineteenth century since these words were spoken
have they been fulfilled One of the most powerful o-
ponents OF the truth OF Christianity has just been borne
to his grave-Strauss. who used the powers of his
mighty intellect in attempts to overthrow the founda-
ton Of the Church, have Chriss words lost their power
This civilization which enjoy with all its ennobling
or elevating influences, is monument to the truth OF
the prediction: "My words shall not pass away" l
propose bring forward Of the ordeals or trials
by which the words of Christ have been tested and to
show that all opposition has been dashed from the
citadel of our faith like from rock.
Tie first ordeal is the lapse OF time The words OF the
Almighty were borne for forty years through the wilder
by the Israetes in their wanderngs; they were
preserved through seventy years or captivity and
through ali the changes OF circumstance and dynasty
In the history OF Christianity the preservation Of the
Scriptures is less remarkable Translated into differ
eut languages scattered among different nations pre-
served through three centuries OF persecution suryv
ng the dark night Of the middle ages 1t came out
through all uncorrupted aud unaltered that the old
Bible in which Luther found the doctrine OF saliva
ton by faith identical with the old Bible Of the first
and second centuries. Manuscript Scriptures brought
from different lands and written in different ages
compared together and found the same in oil essential
particulars There have been many TRANSACTIONS, but
the words Of Christ have remained the they have
been tested by time but have not passed away.
secondly, they been tested by the discoveries OF
autiquarlans and psychologists The explorations OF
Holy Land and the deserts of Egypt have only added
striking testimony to the literal accuracy of the Holy
scriptures. The Dead Sea has been surveyed and be-
meath its have been found evidences OF the truth
OF the Bible story of the destruction OF the cities OF the
plain. Babylon aud Nineveh have been explored, and
have added their testimony. Neutrality-suspicious. on the
Moabe have been deciphered and lol they prove
he Bible records Files 10 the British Museum have
been read, and found description Of the
Deuge, most wOndrousy like the record Of Moses.
They had been buried. 5000 years. and then God caused
he brought forth to pour their light the his
tory OF the Bible.
Thirdly the word OF God has been tested in our day
by the progress of natural science In former times
science regarded with alarm. Simple facts ~ as
trOnOmy which simplest schoOlbOy now knows were
deemed heresy because the Bible thought TO teach
that the earth the center of the system, Calico
compelled to his theory, but as he turned
away heard TO muter: But il does move still
an evidence Of great weakness for Christian.
10 fear the rSSFes ScIS as II we're laS G no"
the These are theories which we cannot
one OF ;hese II God tolls me that OF the dust of
the earth He created man and tnat he breahed INTO
cries which pretend to deny it, The creation of'Aoses
and that OF geology to conflict Some believe that
this VISION which was recorded without reference 10
chronology lapse OF time Let us not be impatient III
books but two volumes of the same book-the oner and
inner compartments of the same temple, ,,.,..,
fbe yOr1s inl laV he
ary research and investigation W9at learning has
been expended on the BDe Every doctrine mas been
Strauss two lives OF Chistthe nrst TO show that
He myth. and the second. thirtyhve years LATER
10 show that He was impostor. He was buried tho
other day, leaving tins book as his legacy to the world
too much say that learning has been expended
the Bible than on any other department OF human
investigation There have been written 90 900 dferent
commentaries on the single Eplse OF st. Paul TO the
Romans Last year the works on the Word Of GOO pub
class numbering $1,000 aud the other $1,000 What
ally breaking and day by day shines more brightly from
one more test-tbat OF experience BY this those who
hold IL in then hearts know of its truth II it were not
for this all Others would be vain. II the slnb bur
soul had to Christ and found rest IL would
not have taken strauss RcnaD TO have overturned
Christianity AT the Cross OF Christ pardon healing
and rest have been found have TO Christ and
been turned away His words to-day are mlsntler man
ever-more blessed, more healing TO the soul. In en-
thousand homes. beds OF sickness, III hospitals III the
camp-wherever there is a sin-staned, overburdcned
conscience there He is. "My words shall not pass
where He will never leave, never forsake.
Before beginning the sermon, Bishop Cummins said
that he thought the time had come when the congrega
ton should organize the first Reformed Episcopal
Church OF New-York. He accordingly invited those
who proposed unite with the church to remain and
choose chairman aud secretary for the purpose OF
eecting an organization After the congregation had
been dismissed tsbout 100 persons remained. Bishop
Cummins said that friends organizing all around
he had Just returned from Philadelphia where two
churches would probably be established and on next
Sunday church would DO organized in Brooklyn. Col
Aycrigg was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Lawton Secre-
tary. On motion committee appointed to prepare
plan Of organization under the laws Of the State aud
report next Sunday at 1850 a. The time and place
will then be xed for holding meeting for the election
Of officers and the selection OF q name. The following
are the members Of the Committee:
Mr.. Dake. Mr.. Ellison, Mr.. Woodwork Mr.. smedley
and Mr.. Alton.
THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION.
Chanolbr Orosby al ns YourtAore Prsbyterian Chureh
Tln pnx, Dr Houord Croahv praachad in