New-York tribune., 1874-09-07

ot the themes A large majority OF the pastors ANU
roctors were in their own pulpits ana 'he cohereea
tions were quite large. Among the strangers III
metropolitan pulpts were Pror' oamuei h"iiio,
DID, of New-Haven; Prof Green OF frinceuo" anu
the Rev. Dr. Hawthorne of Louisville The Rev.
DR. Chapman assumed the pastorate of st. PauPs
Methodist Episcopal Church.
QUALITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH.
IA. Ret SapAn H. TyHg jr, d. d. Z" "< ChHre" ~ "S h0V
Trsnity protestant EpsopaLl
The Rev. Stephen II. Tying, jr., ID. D.,
yesterday morning in the Church of the Holy Trinity
at Madison ave. and Forty second-st from Acts XVII
a: "And the disciples called Christians nrst III
Antioch"
This reproachfu epithet he said which was gwen 10
the Church of by the Gentiles is one OF 'hose
words which faith has wrested from the VOCABULARY Vi
the world 1t been held by the Church through 'n"
marvellous power OF Incorporating truth wherever ana
by whomsoever 1t spoken Like the sword OF Goatn'
which VAS placed ia the sanctuary Of the Jews ike the
eepsers OF Dathan, Korah and Abiram, which were
beaten into golden plates for the altar Ike the rude
cross Of the malefacto which has become the symDol Oh
salvation this word has been taken from the enemies Oh
Jesus Christ and given high place in the Church
No longer sign OF is the glory OF the Church
the level OF its decoration prophecy OF its progress,
the synonym Of its salvation and life To what grahd
bnds has the Church applied this one word dsclmlna'
ing error and including TRUTH The name could not nave
been applied by the Jews; 1t could only nave Deeh pe
slowed when the Gentiles began TO take their places
In the circle of the sect OF the Nazarlne'
Ybe very form OF the word connects 1t with
Roman usage. Antioch the source of nieknames
given TO the use such ephets, distinguished above
other places of Asia Minor by this prevailing haOt OF
the people. II a discriminating title and apphed 10
ssmau minority 1t a confession of a kingdom
within those designated that gave the pth to the
ntle. The Roman mind took pleasure in organization
aud IN FORM but could not comprehend and II sc0rned
the fiery earnestness and zeal possessed by THIS new
community. The distinguishing characteristics OF early
Christianity were OF such nature as to attract the
criticism Of the Gentiles II their Christianity had
been merely matter Of personal experience the dsci-
pies might have passed unnoticed. But when they
showed by spirit and profession their claims on Christ
and their relations him, then they were stgmazed
with the name Of Christians.
The modes IN which their partnership with Christ was
manifested by the early Christians may be considered
In their expression they not gwen to circumlocu
hon Their rhetoric very simple and direct Iheir
dialect was understood by the people, free from myst
rism separated from any philosophical affectaton
Plain and consistent the language of the early
Christians. They had caught this manner OF speaking
Scriptures. But in their vocabulary one word STOOD
chief, e-eader OF the host; Their life was Christscen-
They used this word Christ, first OF all lt was
the refrain of all their songs the object and the subject
cations one TO another they had not virtue OF Whcn
he was not the example. Everything IN the LIE 70
Did they speak of creationi He created all things, He
preserved all things. Redemption flowed from His com
hey confessed themselves to be complete IN Christ.
Tney goried in His eXaaon as in His ascended place
Christians avoided ali proviucialism Whatever differ
ences there were among them in doctrine teaching or
DrganizaOn did not extend to this grand central truth
They had general language although dialects
may have existed IN the various provinces.
a defect in the Church to-day that men hesitate
10 the Of Christ the early rsdns used IT.
The ordshp. control of Christ is not confessed in
midst OF all mans ltdehty and scorn the hardship OF
Jesus and attribute Him the power and the promises
gwen in the Word, from which alone can come life.
Another reason for the given to the early dis
cpes in the lives which they led, as the manifesto
nons Of their claims upon Christ No doubt these
Antioch Christians separate and peculiar people
iney dwe alone they SACRIFICED all thelr possessions 10
spread the truth. Tley had everything in common.
The spoor saints in Jerusalem were burden on the
churches IN Asa Minor ana Macedonia The early
Christians serupulOus IN their purity OF character
and their freedom from al forms Of lniqllty They
kept their integrity unSpotted RON the world ills
limited society stood definitely committed TO everything
which conscience comm inded as GOd-like. All TINS
purity, loyalty, and conscienousness OF h7ng tney
salled Christ.
Church presents the pathway OF CHRISTIAN obedience for
all time. How depOraDe the condition of the Cnurch
to-day when inf1ety can charge insincerity and hy-
pocrisy upon H. Tue only answer give TO those
away from Jesus in the world Is gody living BY we'll
doing put 10 silence the Ignorance OF foolish men, The
Christians in Anoeh also gained ther te Dy the love
which they exhibited The peculiarly OF the early
Church the centrpela 1orce that drew the Chris
uans from the outside circumference TO the common
center ana held them there IN unity. 1t drew them
community where netting was TO be found but per-
ecutiOn and poverty All selfish interests surren-
1eIed the common good. They gave up all their worldly
advantages for person unseen, who lad been crUci
ied. Whether the Church Of to-day Is guided by the
peculiar love which animated the early Christians may
DC known from the dlscOrds, enyies, slanders, and
rfes which appear in il. Let the records OF the civil
Ourt which saints lmpead saints, TESTIFY. One part
D. the Church OF Jesus Christ ls to-day always busy in
etthug the petty Qudrres and disputes Of the other
PaIt. The Office pc8ce-maker has obtained i'm
pOrtance in the Church which only had formerly
world. How sad the controversies in the Church
about minute truth or error, which can hardly
influence the conduct OF passing d ana the divisions
concerning historical facts!
The name of Christian has had important reflex innl-
nccs upon the life OF the Church I Is harder for
fall into sin, VINO has good name, than 0utcast
The bears tone up character and control
conduct. The Christian name must inevitably reflect
She life OF him dignlfed by and discTimnated
Christ tnat acknowledgment Will lead you 10 new
SecIauon every day. We who call ourselves Christians
conservation ike that OF Christ, full and per
Tstent, carried 10 the sacrifice OF self
This name should lead US always TO communion one
with another Any man whose heart touches that OF
Jesus Christ ought also 10 touch hearts. Beyond
tOmBuuug there must be cooperation, especially
At this time, when we are in the midst OF a struggle
winch needs all our fidelity You are called upon TO
prove that there Is personal God, who creates and
preserves and who Will Judge Or all accidents,
he OuterOppiugs OF mysterious and unknown forces,
brought together for time 10 be dissipaed aud
iestrOyedq Have we God and Christ are we like
he plant and the bee developed form of irresponsible
Baurel Now the time demonstrate the reason for
he faith US the authority the things by which
We are surrounded eXhOrt you, then, dear friends,
De cOmmuning cooperating Christians. Let the world
axe knowledge OF you thar you have been with Jesus
and have learned OF Him. Call yourselves Chris
I'LL you have been at Jesus's feet HencefOrth by
6ods grace Try 70 live not unto yourselves but unto
" make us princes ana kings unto the Lord.
FIFNFNTS OF Gospel pOXUrp