New-York tribune., 1874-09-21
RECONCILIATION OF SINNERS TO GOD.

7< John Hall D. D., at & fhavG Presbyisrsan Chgrch
At the Fifth-ave Presbyterian Church the
Rev. John Hail. d. D., preached upon the subject Of the
Reconciliation OF Sinners to God" He took his text
from lid Corinthians, 20: "Now then embassa-
dors for Christ though God did beseech you by
we pray you Christs stead be reconciled to God"
The circumstances under which we meet, said he,
Justify the selection Of o which speaks less
than to you. This is the eighth year Of my ministry
among you and truly thankful for the love, atten
ton, and cooperation which have received from you
during that period and which have made my labors in
the ministry go agreeable. look for the blessings
In the future which have attended in the past, and
for a more close union of Gods people all over the
world While thankful for the rest which have
oyed during the Summer. cannot but remember that
death takes no holiday aud that ne has removed many
loved ones from among US.
God intended that should give great attention to
this nature In which we lye and that we should derive
from IL oil the knowledge We can. The knowledge we
are able obtain from nature may be said be ndeh
mite the more we explore 10 the moro we discover but
we must be careful that do not defy nature that
we do not confound t with the God who made IT, and
nature as Gods servant and ours. The conscience
that Is within US will enable Us to make distinction be-
tween God and nature; but there Is defect In
science and We must not bndly trust TO its guidance
Conscience Is liable TO be turned aside 1t Is not uni
FORM and II attempt 10 live by conscience alone
snail nd that We need something else 10 guide and sus
tain US Those who hope that the world Will be purified
and saved by conscience will ind themselves sadly mis-
taken Our true and infall0le guide In this world
must DO God Himself aud TO Him must we look. and 70
His word. through which He has revealed Himself. His
word contains all that Is necessary for our guidance
IL for questions concerning God and nature
that nothing else and must trust it im
plcitly Prophets Of science turn away from intelli
eence derived from that Divine source but Christians
mut seek for itlandlbeeye IT, In the Bible, which Is
Gods word God speaks TO US and reveals Himself TO u.s.
and we look at Hun in the light OF that revelation
Cod arra ged for order OF men who should DO His
aud 10 is their sacred duty 70 speak In
Cods behalf, and TO interpret His word 10 men, God
aso Intended that that order should continue that He
nloht always have ambassadors speaking to men from
Him and recOncilng them 70 Hin. Though it Is very
nainful 10 be Obliged TO acknowledge IL, men
srangers 70 Cod they stand in the attitude of foreign
ers to Him. and hence word ambassadors" used
IN the text has very peculiar Significance. H. as
many say, the race OF men good, II
foreigners 10 God and His kingdom, what means the
police systems 70 protect from violence and wr0ngf
and what the enormous expense aud the great
ertlons forced 10 submit 10 and endure to
on our Goyernmensi God has taught men from the
beenpiug they sinners but He has also taught
the IN that Is hope OF good from God That good
will come from a reconciliation OF men ~ God through
HIS son who speaks 10 them through His ambassadors,
and His em bassadofs are now pleading with men and
uratpg them ~ forsaKe their Sins and reconcile
tLenselyes to God. Ali OF have often said
and done things which should be unsad aud undone
before we can effect such reconciliation and OF
Christs embasssdors entreat you TO unsay and undo
all things whieh stand between you aud perfect recon
cation with God One thing which stands IN the way
OF reconciliation 70 God Is aptnes TO disrust Him.