New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-21
PULPIT THEMES.
A TYPE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY.

TYPE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY.
John Bai D. d. The Fh drenas Presbyterian Church
The Rev. DR.. John Hall preached yesterday
morning at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. be-
fore large audience. taking for his text: Aud the
thing pleased the children OF Israeli and the children
OF Israel blessed God and did not intend to go up
against them in battle to destroy the land wherein the
children of Reuben and God dwet"
This is OF the few instances, he said, In which the
conduct all sides commendabe. Tue section OF
land which the Reubenites ana the Gades and the haf
Tribe of Manasseh wished to possess was admirably
adapted for cattle, and these tribes peoned Moses
that they he allowed make 1t their homes and pos
session. Moses apprehended that such action wonid
break the unity Of the nation These tribes however
assured hi0 that this not their ann ana tna the'
had such wish that they did not desire TO give up
any Of the work OF the Lord neglect His battles and
contests would they disregard HIS commandments
and laws. would walk in all iiisways ana serve HIM
as ever with all their Their petition was granted
and they remained loyal and true to the interests OF
their God that Joshua praised them for their LOYALTY
Throughout the Bible nothing is more striking than tho
hearty commendauon which the Bible ALWAYS gives
when work has done and done we'll. These tribes
started homewari full OF hope and anticipation but
before they reached their future possessions apprehen
sons seized and they feared that they were to DO
separated from the OF the nation and that their
children would bc regarded not part OF the nation
and thus woad have TO suffer. Taey therefore de-
to the OF the tribes on the east
and the west sides OF the Jordan This
plan executed 1t seems probable that the altar
was built their side of the river, although tne
context does indicate. They had the right to bulld
1t there. aud with the spirit when was inaniiestou
throughout ,bey would hardly trespass upon the pos
their ireD The report oil tnls proceed
ing at Orce carried 10 the other tribes.
aud. instantly, they prepared TO go to battle with
br tbren. whose action they believed 10 be wrong
and calculated to break up The unity OF The tribes
ami that the rereOn of the nation would he disturbed
iuslliied steps which they were to take TO
prevent IT. TIER action, as they viewed IT, bad all the
characteristics OF reason but wise eounses interviewed
ana a large delegation was chosen 10 go TO their
brethren aud show them the evil and misfortune OF
OF men much influence among the tribes
The address which was maze ny them Is perfect suay
model of pcrspcGity and dlrcctness. Tue peope are
appealed not 10 rebel against the Lord ANA their
result must the wrath of God would be aroused
against tue whole congregation for the act Of ibis part
OF Tney cited an example IN which Col mad visited
punishment upon the whOle congregation for the sn of
aiew Furthermore they urged h IN, that II taeir con-
vlciOns were that God would not bless their land ana
that they must humid the altar 10 gam Ills blessing they
should give up tueIT possessions ami 20 over aud live
with them "nere 'ne Lords tabernacle dweIeth Hav-
iDg made ner appeal the other tribes ans |er ana Their
aware Of the gravity OF the occasion, and there
rs no ievity IN their speech Iaey 49,. 90 every very
God of Gods. He knOweth, ana Israel shall know"
Sraccsy p Cat they have done his great rsnsgres-
imputed TO them, they ask rot I? be saved from
Coos wrath. They stated their case clearly how they
that in future their children mgnt divided
by the natural divisions of the water from those of the
other that the altar was built with the sole pur
pose of establishing monument OF tdelr unity; tndt the
altar not for burnt otrng or for sacrifice but that
II might be witness between theu' anu mat the
children :he one should no say TO tue children of the
fully stated and The deputations heard with Delight
They had misunderstood, and now Their fears we're
cleared AVA their swords were sheathed, ana their
preparations Tor battle stopped
Briefly reviewing the cnicf points Of the story, DR..
tribes for the religion OF children.
my happen that the vide dif rences existing be-
ina. I'm
say the otner. I'VE cannot commune cooperate
We regard GA as pare of the great Cnurch of God"
The the text is example of tho trues catho-
LEFTY and Christian feeling: lacy thought OF the future
their culdrcn. There could tie DO worse sign among
those VINO i've aud enjoy tue blessings Of he than Tor
let the u;uIc take Of itself" We are bodnd as
CHRISTIANS all We can 10 improve the CONDITION Of
the rising generations. and even 10 regard 10 amuse-
men., whien We are sure DO not iIIre us IN mature
lug II they grow up under their inndence
secondly: Tue best intentions may be misunderstood;
and by who fear God. We need not he surprised
H. when We are doing ANYTHING with tue plrset ana
MED TO us H. nee necessity OF clearness and
in all that We have not merely 10 act rlgdtiy,
but IN sucn wsc as Will recognize responsibility ~ our
Iirdiy: The action of the other tribes right Un
derstaulng matter they DID, their resolution 10
so TO jasunIDe But hey showed tneir greater
wisdom ~ sending delegates to their brethren TO
learn thcir affairs. How often such an act
saves feeling and bitterness Can any
thing be reasonable than that Christian nations
shoid have "a OF arbitration by watch populations
OF and intelligent men may nc hearn ana thns
Alliance as hlvng this great advantage that II Drings
together The different churches, acqu,inis them with
each ot.crs WORK. and reduces the differences by giving
prominence Is like The present attempt at
federation among the various Presbyterian churches
tends 10 Inc result and only have Wholesome
loduence good and pleasant II H. how full of joy,
and how happy an omen lvf the Iuture thal Irlstans
dwell together III UNITY
Iourthly: The zeal for the Lords honor Is noticeable
and euluenlly creditabe all these tribes. No OF
MS Is at beIty 10 settle down his lot, and be
different 70 the circumstances OF Others. We must be
concerned the honor and glory OF GJd even though
IL cost us something. Pnineas most earnest AMI
de voted man, and vet ] can understand how he might
have been regarded by some as biSOted and foolish
priest. But would make no difference 10 hun he
would have the consciousness that he right. and
Whatever might be said OF 10 him of abuse, would
fall without effect. We have such personages III our
time 1t of tue mountain as of the man. and Of
the the mountaiD that tine higher they grow,
the dercer storms beat aud break against them.
The saying prophetic regarding noble Christian men;
the ages will do them justice, and II they do not, He
Fear not, therefore. ~ be Jealous, no matter what
the CRITICISMS or reDuts.
Lasfv: Tue lesson OF the text is, that keep our
faIIh our baptism our God. Let us guard this thing
well