The New York herald., 1874-07-27
A Southern Bishop on the Re-
hgious Situation.
OUR BLESSED DEAD.
Protesting Christians, Wise and Otherwise
Are They the Salt Of the Earth!
A LONDON PREACHER ON LEPERs.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

Sermon by DIR. Robinson, OF Troy, Sh
"Fhe Causes OF serenity OF seul I'M tisc
ChristEan.-
There was o larger attendance than is usual in
the summer vacation ct Plymouth church yestsf'
aay Few OF the leading members and their lam
lies were present; but this was attributable TO
the sct that nearly all these have lett ior their
summer vacation. rhe only member of the com.
Ini,tee at the service was Mr. Augustus Storrs, ana
he, with complacent countenance and an appa
TentIy unruc.ed mind, cccSpied his accustomed
corner in his own pew. The caolr was not in Its
full strength; but Mr.. Camp its efficient leader,
was present. ard also the leaiing soprano, Miss
C.cmentine LaSar, who opened the service by
singing with surprising sweetness and with wcn-
dcrinL clearness OF voice the soprano solo from
"The Messiah" "Come unto Him all ye tnaI
labor" which was followed by the chorus, "His
yoke is easy and HIS burden is light"
Mr.. BeecheI's place was taken by Dr.. Robinson,
OF Troy, VINO preached plain, practical ana
simple sermon rom the following textbook Of
Ecclesastes, ", 2c-"For lie shall not much re-
member the days OF his life, because God answered
him in the JOY OF his heart.D The introduction TO
the discourse was a short summary OF the teachings
or the book al Ecclesastes, IN which the truth OF
trust In ri ches as aiordhg all Infinite solace to
mans hi CHER nature was proved by the eXpe.
rence OF solomon apd all otHer men SINCE, US q
dolusion and In practice snare in which all true
happiness was lost. In commenting On the text
he said it was glorious thing tor the Christian
man to have the experience, IN the afternoon of
his life, of perfect serenity, iOyousness that
looked with callDness and with an unaloyed
vision to the mountain or Beuiah. Dr. Robinson
then proceeded 70 consider tue source OF this Sc
renity 10 lie as described IN the text.
First, il was faith. FAITH was the sub
stance Of tnDIs hoped for These, said the
sacred writer are but parts OF lliy ways. Il was
fhis confidence in GOD that was the .ouldat ON OF
thls serenity in the Christtan and THIS altitude OF
confidence was inspired by the possession OF
aith tnat became vital In the believers lifo. To
this reception Of the simple Gaith must be added
belief IN the word OF God The second scarce OF
serenity was found in the habit Of the Christian
lte. This habit was mainly cultivated in the re-
sfstanca OF evil and ia the possession OF L prayer.
fnl spirit. When ihese realized there Is great
liberty IN sGch habit. For II was only She
nabt OF evil that brought enslaysment
The doing right should grow into habit
so that the CHRISTIAN should, like all who have
mastered difficulties and become cXaerts cease
20 do ev and learn 10 10 well, with an un-
consciousness that had the Innocence OF childhood
ia It's mani estatlons, but the root-spriDgs o!
which We're laid very deeply within the soul. But
70 attain to this was not the work o. moment, or
day, or even OF years, tt was the Work OF ile-
time. Ii was work oi grace IN lhe heart tnat
grew In the seasons ana ripened in the autumn
I he fuil 1rUtage Of the scul was only developed
after much discipline, care and plucEing mp OF
weeds that the influence OF evil had promoted the
yrowth Of Another source Of serenity in the
soul was meditation on tue detects OF isitil. This
gave an equipoise 10 the experience OF the Chris
liaD, and enabled the Christian to possess his soul
in patience and TO wait earnestly upon the Lord.
Dr. Robinson concluded by a lew counsels to
Christians, cautioning his hearers against dis
coursgenlent If their experience was not ike unto
that which he had described. Ii was their duty
ana their privilege to attain unto IT, ana In this
striving they would certainly not have here and
hereafter an abundant reward, but would be
greatly encouraged thereto by the blessed in.
rUplCe OF the SplrIt cf COO.